Thanks for the help getting this resolved. I feel like 16xx resolved the issue

Has anyone noticed a difference in thermals since Applying 1602? I think the cpu Temps are a bit more fluid now and I wonder if those temp swings is what caused the shutdowns to start with.

Good catch. I didn't notice he had that.  Cut it down to one set and make sure it's a matching set. Those things are sold in kits for a reason.

Well anytime you remove the cpu and then put it back the board will act like it's got a new cpu regardless. That means you will have to go into bios. That said... Does the system boot without expo? The issue might not be with asus but an issue with m...

Did you try an expo setting? Did you by any change take the cpu out of the socket and then reinstall it? Maybe a picture of the error will help.