After testing all the RAM slots, I managed to boot up the system using one of the slots farthest to the right. In an effort to identify the issue, I tested another RAM stick from the QVL, differing in both size and manufacturer, but encountered the same problem, thus eliminating the possibility of a faulty RAM stick. Using the working RAM slot, I successfully installed Windows 10 and observed unusually high CPU temperatures even at idle. I decided to disassemble everything, and rather than using the plastic CPU casing provided with the motherboard, I used the one that came with the CPU. Upon reassembly and restarting, everything was running smoothly. My diagnosis is that the CPU was not properly seated initially. I had noticed that my CPU did not quite fit into the housing provided by ASUS which I believe to be the root cause.
