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Loose connection to motherboard
Rami
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So my motherboard recently got damaged in transit. Namely, the little clip thing that helps secure the graphics card into its slot on the motherboard broke off, meaning despite being screwed in correctly the graphics card occasionally loses connection with the motherboard and I lose any output to the monitor.
This is the only slot on the motherboard it can be placed in. I've looked at replacing the motherboard but it's no longer made and not available anywhere other than a dodgy ebay listing. A different motherboard would have compatability issues with other hardware.
So basically, I need to rig up some support structure that will put some moderate/firm pressure on the outside edge of the graphics card, to keep it securely in contact with the motherboard. I'm not really sure how to go about this, but then I was once at a LAN where someone had built an extension to their PC case out of lego (and it was responsible for holding the entire PSU) so I'm sure I can do something about this.
That's it really, a very small but annoying issue. Any ideas for achieving this/safe materials to use are welcome.
This image shows the damage, you can see the clip missing on the top slot:
This is the only slot on the motherboard it can be placed in. I've looked at replacing the motherboard but it's no longer made and not available anywhere other than a dodgy ebay listing. A different motherboard would have compatability issues with other hardware.
So basically, I need to rig up some support structure that will put some moderate/firm pressure on the outside edge of the graphics card, to keep it securely in contact with the motherboard. I'm not really sure how to go about this, but then I was once at a LAN where someone had built an extension to their PC case out of lego (and it was responsible for holding the entire PSU) so I'm sure I can do something about this.
That's it really, a very small but annoying issue. Any ideas for achieving this/safe materials to use are welcome.
This image shows the damage, you can see the clip missing on the top slot:
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I can't use my graphics card in the other slot (where it is in that picture) because it's right on top of the PSU, and it vents its heat directly onto the graphics card causing it to overheat and shut off.
Everything works but I can't run any games because anything that uses more than a moderate amount of the graphics card will result in an overheat.
You can see that problem here
Without seeing the rest of the case it's hard to know for sure this can work, but my first attempt at solving this in a simple way would be to take a piece of string and tie one end above the case slots, maybe under one of the screws holding the card, run the string over the heatsink or support bracket to hold it in place, and tie the other end to something lower down in the case. (lower relative to the case on its side when you're working on it). If that was done with enough tension it should stop the card losing connection.
Hopefully the details are obvious, but don't break your card putting pressure on electronic components if you can't find a way to tie it with pressure on the heatsink, circuit board or the metal brace that supports the card weight.
Plan B is wedging something between the top of the card and the side panel I guess.
I have seen cases that are poorly designed that apply a bit of lift when you tighten the screws. If that is the case I'd use something non-conductive like string to put some downward pressure on the back of the card. You might be tempted to wrap it under that heatpipe that goes under the card, but I wouldn't do that. You don't want upward pressure on your heatsink. Find 2 of the screws that attach the mobo to the case, loosen them a bit so you can get the string underneath, pull the string over the card and tighten the screws back up.
The problem might also be the cables that plug into the card are putting tension on it. Thick cables forced to run at odd angles can exert a bit of force. To combat this you can route the cable in such a way that it isn't pushing on the card that hard (and the push it is applying is in the direction you want) and then zip the cable to the case in such a way that this force never changes. You have to cut the cable loose if you need to seperate the components, but most people don't need to do that very often.
In the meantime, would laying the case on its side cause any problems? I've noticed the force of gravity is enough to keep the card in secure contact, so maybe that could work for a temporary solution?
Now the semester has finished I raelly want to focus on getting it working so I can play Brink all summer.
I'm guessing the cd drive won't be happy running on its side? I suppose I could take it out of the case.
Edit: Here's a picture of what I mean.
I have a friend with a glue gun so I might try that as a more permanent solution. Anyway, this is kinda solved for now so thanks for the advice. Might reopen it if I decide to glue just to make sure I don't fuck it up.