Anyone know how to remove a graphics card when the PCIe release tab is broken and the card is still locked in to the motherboard?
My release tab broke when upgrading my card the other day. From what I found online, when this happens to others, the lock itself breaks and the card simply doesn’t lock in. I thought that would be my case as well but noooooooo… If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s finding problems that apparently no one else comes across. Lol. For what it’s worth, the motherboard should still be under warranty. Hopefully I can convince them to let me destroy the mobo if it comes to that, but still get the replacement.
That’s definitely weird. My last build was broken too. Just meant the card slipped in/out easily lol
Good luck with that. I would think there’d have to be a way to release it, but without taking my own board out and fiddling (sorry, not going that far lol!) I can’t say for sure.
I would definitely work very hard and not damaging the board. Most of the time warranty won’t cover “user damage” which, of course, the broken tab will be seen as along with everything that followed.
If I had this problem and there was some reason I HAD to remove the GPU, I’d try this:
Remove main power cable. Remove power connector(s) from GPU.
Hold power button down for 30 seconds to empty capacitor charge.
Lay the case on its side so the GPU is vertical.
Remove anything blocking access to the PCIe slot.
Remove the GPU bracket screws.
VERY gently wiggle the GPU back and forth so you can carefully insert a credit card between the slot and the GPU edge connector. Slowly wiggle it backward toward the broken clip, trying to push the latching pin out of the way. You’re stretching the plastic slot, so don’t force it too hard.
If you can find something non-metallic that’s thinner than a credit card, use that instead.
Maybe something like a driver’s license?
I’ll be reporting this issue with the warranty claim prior to trying anything potentially destructive so I can get the process started before next month when it runs out. If it comes to that, I’ll be getting approval first so they can’t say the destruction was negligent.
I like that idea and will keep it in mind. I’m not going to try anything until I’ve established my warranty claim and know how that is going to pan out. I.e. If they will send me the replacement first, I’ll keep using this one until time to swap and minimize my down time.
That’s how I would imagine it would work. The tab holds it in place, and if it’s no longer there then it’s just like any other PCIe socket without one.
I’ve been looking into it more, and I think I’ll try a self repair tonight or tomorrow. I can’t try the credit card trick because the backplate is covering the slot, so I’ll try using a toothpick or something similar to manipulate it. It’s a relatively cheap mobo, and I don’t plan to do any GPU related upgrades for some time anyway, so not a major loss if I can’t get it out. I did find out that those latches are easily replaced (assuming you can source one). If I can get the card out, I plan to scavage the latch from the second slot that I have no use for to use in the top slot.
Fyi the only sources for the latch I could find would be from an old broken donor board (so possibly brittle plastic), or getting replacement PCIe slots and pulling the latches from them. Those were $17 for one, or $23 for a four pack in different colors on Amazon.
Even if I could RMA this for warranty, it means shipping off, waiting for a stupid simple repair, then shipping back, leaving me without a pc for who knows how long. Not to mention possible shipping damage/theft. Just not worth it for this board, so I’m not going to bother.
Yea, that’s always the worst part. When I bought my 3080 GPU I discovered one of the ports doesn’t work. Since it has 5 though, I’m hoping I never need it! (I use 3).
I would buy a new board before being without a PC. Then I’d just sell the repaired one when it came back and not be out much.
My putty knife is actually thinner (and cheaper) and has a nice squared off end and long enough so I can slip it in between the video card and cpu air cooler to release the card.
I’m always removing my video card for one reason or another and what a pain it is to push that clip properly to release! With my current video card (7900XTX) that plastic clip broke off and I was in a panic until I just gritted my teeth and pulled out the card. You forget how much natural resistance there is from back in the day when there was no clip. You just need to firmly pull straight up.
After getting the card out, I could actually snap the clip back into position like it never came off. After thinking about it I removed it and eventually just threw it away. The key reason being that I had a nice support bracket for the board which along with screwing it into the back panel fully secured the card.
No more breaking out in a cold sweat for me when removing my video card!!
Edit: Btw, from what I remember, the video card does not get locked into place from inside the slot on the MB. The clip merely acts as a stop so that last little piece of the video card protruding out does not move upward.
Well problem solved. Once I started fiddling around, the release tab basically fell out intact. Turns out the arms of the PCIe slot itself snapped on the bottom side as I was pushing to release the old card (they always seemed hard to press, but guess I didn’t realize it was a potential issue). I retrieved all the plastic bits and now just going to leave it as is since it’s working ok. Thanks for the offers to help anyway.
