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It is hard to tell from the low res pic, but it looks like it shows the thermal compound surrounded by a shiny pool of clearish stuff. That is a BAD sign. It means that the thermal compound has been breaking down, which is usually a sign of overheating.
Now if the fan was still working, it probably means that the Northbridge went bad and overheated when it died, which is not uncommon. The chip dies and shorts-out, so you get lots of heat.
Now since your fan quit working, you have the classic chicken and the egg of electronics. Did the chip die and overheat the fan to cause it to quit working? Or did the fan die and allow the chip to overheat and die?
Since most modern motherboards have thermal protection built in, chances are the chip died and took the fan as collateral damage. This is not uncommon.
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Now if the fan was still working, it probably means that the Northbridge went bad and overheated when it died, which is not uncommon. The chip dies and shorts-out, so you get lots of heat.
Now since your fan quit working, you have the classic chicken and the egg of electronics. Did the chip die and overheat the fan to cause it to quit working? Or did the fan die and allow the chip to overheat and die?
Since most modern motherboards have thermal protection built in, chances are the chip died and took the fan as collateral damage. This is not uncommon.
Looks like I'll be replacing this mobo then!
Feel free to lock this down.