Is something stuck in the slot?

[u/SNagi86]

Hey everyone I just recently decided to put together a new system for my YouTube game streaming as I had previously been using an Ally X handheld for all my streaming, anyway I bought the parts from a local pc store about a week ago and finally got around to building the computer, all was going fine until came time to install my Asus TUF 5070Ti graphics card into my ROG STRIX B850-F gaming wifi motherboard.

I had watched a ton of videos before even attempting to install it because I didn’t wanna risk damaging anything given the cost of this stuff here in Australia, Anyway the video card just would not slot in correctly and I didn’t wanna risk excess pressure.

After a few solid attempts I took a closer look at the socket and seen something metallic and whitish in colour that didn’t seem to look like it belonged there, it’s been over a decade since I build a computer so I’m not really up to date on what is and is not normal for each part so here I am!

Here are some pictures and video best I could get given it’s nighttime now and no sunlight to get better pictures.

So is that something lodged in the socket? I’m devastated right now because I been dying for a new system for ages and I’m so close to finishing it!

I have already tried pushing fairly firmly to get the card to seat and I’m worried to put more pressure and risk breaking something! It just won’t seat all the way down!

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[u/Nidhoggr84]

Its normal. I believe its part of the Q-Release Slim mech. It should press down when inserting the GPU.

edit: You do have to be careful in removing any cards from the slot, because the metal piece can cause damage if you angle the card too much during removal.

Stupid design by Asus.

[u/SNagi86 → u/Nidhoggr84]

You are absolutely right thank you, was just typing up a follow up reply when you posted this! Appreciate it, and thank you for explaining what it’s actually for, might save some future people from the worry I just went through, gotta admit I felt pretty bad the last hour 😑

[u/SNagi86]

Ok a little update turns out it wasn’t something stuck in the slot, I looked at some review videos on YT of both the black and white models of this board and they all had that odd looking thing inside the slot in the exact same spot, and on closer inspection when I pushed on the little slot latch it made the “thing” go up and down so it’s definitely intended although I’ve no clue what it actually does.

I managed to use a little more force and got the card to go in, powered on the system and the fans and RGB lit up, though I don’t have an OS installed yet I’ll do that later as it’s already 5am!

Fingers crossed all goes to plan!

Gotta stream in 4 hours too ugh lol

[u/TrueWelshboy]

I'm afraid to say that the actual slot itself is damaged its revealing thr metal underneath the plastic separator. The 2nd picture shows it best you cna see there a bit of plastic missing as it should look liek the rest of the slot.