How to remove stuck Graphics Card?

Rob89 · 5 Jul 2017 at 23:44

Well i've got myself into a bit of a pickle. Recently built my first gaming pc. Graphics card was beeping and flashing red, so i left it in limbo for a while, then decided to try and sort it. Tried to pull it out but it just wouldn't come out.. then i remembered you're supposed to push down on the clip on the motherboard to release it, so it's now slanted at a slight angle and no matter how hard i push down on the clip (if i can get to it properly!) it wont budge. It's quite difficult to reach with only a narrow gap for my hand to get down between the GPU and the CPU cooler.

The GTX 1070 is very big, so where the arrow is pointing is the only part of the clip i can press, which is quite difficult.

So is there anyway i can get it out without doing damage, before i give up and take it down to PC World?

passifid · 5 Jul 2017 at 23:57

I use a chopstick. Or any softish non conductive or sharp implement to push mine.

Also remember to remove all the screws etc from the case before trying that clip

chaosophy · 6 Jul 2017 at 00:40

Rob89 said:
... It's quite difficult to reach with only a narrow gap for my hand to get down between the GPU and the CPU cooler.

...

So is there anyway i can get it out without doing damage, before i give up and take it down to ...?

Remove the CPU cooler?

I'd have the cooler off, PC stripped down and mobo out of the case before I'd trust taking it down to a high street store tbh.

Sasahara · 6 Jul 2017 at 01:17

Plastic ruler?

Armadillo · 6 Jul 2017 at 02:00

Sasahara said:
Plastic ruler?

This.

I have to use the top slot on my board for x16, so have much the same issue as you. Plastic ruler laying flat against the backplate has always worked great to unlock it.

V F · 6 Jul 2017 at 03:24

chaosophy said:
Remove the CPU cooler?

I'd have the cooler off, PC stripped down and mobo out of the case before I'd trust taking it down to a high street store tbh.

I'd have to go with this.

Armadillo said:
This.

I have to use the top slot on my board for x16, so have much the same issue as you. Plastic ruler laying flat against the backplate has always worked great to unlock it.

Even that is a guaranteed stabbing job. Slips and marks the motherboard.

Blackjack Davy · 10 Jul 2017 at 13:59

Sasahara said:
Plastic ruler?

I've used a metal knife in the past :eek:

Gerinako · 10 Jul 2017 at 14:08

Mines also in a stupid position. Doesn't help with GPU's being so big it complicates the issue somewhat.

I used a plastic spoon handle I had laying around eventually to force the clip loose (by force not that much pressure was applied)

Next Mobo I get I'm going to look for one that has an innovative solution for this - can't be doing with it

ubersonic · 10 Jul 2017 at 14:08

Flat bladed screwdriver.

Hold the shaft (heh heh) with your fist so it can only move a couple of mm before the handle hit's your fist and stops it, thus removing any chance of it slipping onto the motherboard.

Kaapstad · 10 Jul 2017 at 14:46

Plastic ruler FTW

subbytna · 10 Jul 2017 at 16:21

Well did you get it sorted?

Telecaster · 10 Jul 2017 at 18:46

You'd think, given how GPUs have gone in recent years, that mobo makers would come up with a more user friendly catch.

Armadillo · 10 Jul 2017 at 18:59

Don't know why they just don't leave them off. It's not like they serve much of a purpose. They just get in the way and are annoying. It's not like the gpu will just make a break for freedom and jump out the slot without it.

smogsy · 10 Jul 2017 at 19:01

i get this problem on my Fractel Design R2 Xl case.what it turned out to be was not the motherboard clip at all but the Metal Backplate was slightly bent
check to see if The IO black plate is not bent leaning into your motherboard.

Nutty_Death · 10 Jul 2017 at 19:21

I've jabbed at mine with a pen and managed to get it out.

Holst1981 · 10 Jul 2017 at 19:32

Removable motherboard tray helps a lot with this.

Although another advantage of water cooling is better access.

What you must avoid is damaging the motherboard. When I worked in rma we would get quite a few boards back with damaged from screwdrivers or other metal things used to push clips.

By pulling on the card you may have damaged the clip making it difficult to remove.

I would remove the board from the case and get a good look at it.
You may be able to open it with the cpu cooler removed.

If your not sure what to do post a photo.

Don't be tempted to force it.
I've also seen slots pulled away from the pcb by hamfisted customers.

Armadillo · 10 Jul 2017 at 19:37

Holst1981 said:
Removable motherboard tray helps a lot with this.

Although another advantage of water cooling is better access.

I'm tempted to go to an aio because of this. I've never damaged a board or even hit it using a plastic ruler, but it is always at the back on my mind.

Holst1981 said:
What you must avoid is damaging the motherboard. When I worked in rma we would get quite a few boards back with damaged from screwdrivers or other metal things used to push clips.

Screwdrivers :eek:

, people are braver than me I guess.

Holst1981 said:
I've also seen slots pulled away from the pcb by hamfisted customers.

Really?, the pcie slots can just be ripped of the board? People are beasts.

Simon D · 10 Jul 2017 at 20:59

I use a pencil with a rubber tip to push down on the clip

heatonpkmassive · 11 Jul 2017 at 23:30

Simon D said:
I use a pencil with a rubber tip to push down on the clip

That's a smart idea.

Gerard · 11 Jul 2017 at 23:41

Its a pretty stupid locking design to be fair, you would think companies making motherboards would think of the worse case scenario in regards to spacing and design something that can be easier reached.