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Asus is being scrutinised for its PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim mechanism. Reports of potential damage to graphics cards caused by the new design have surfaced, accompanied by photos of evident damage to the PCB.
The PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim, introduced on Asus's Intel 800 and AMD 800 series motherboards, aims to simplify removing graphics cards from the PCIe slot. However, concerns have emerged about the mechanism's potential to cause physical damage to the PCIe connector or the graphics card itself.
Image credit: Bilibili (via HXL)
Unlike previous ASUS motherboards that featured a dedicated button for releasing PCIe devices, the new system requires users to pull the card in a specific manner, potentially putting stress on the connector. A video shared on Bilibili (via HXL) demonstrating the mechanism shows the card being pulled from a ROG Strix X870E-E motherboard at an angle, which could lead to damage over various pulls. In the video, the user explains that they ran a test in which they repeatedly removed and inserted a graphics card using the PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim mechanism. The results showed visible wear and tear on the connector after just 60 repetitions.
In response to the video, Tony Yu, General Manager of Asus China, acknowledged the problem and assured users it would be addressed. However, the extent of the issue and the potential solutions remain unclear. It's unclear if the problem affects all Asus motherboards with the PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim mechanism, but the lack of clarity from Asus has left many users concerned.
For those experiencing issues, one potential solution is to use a different PCIe slot on the motherboard. However, this could reduce performance for high-end GPUs that rely on PCIe 5.0 bandwidth.
KitGuru says: Hopefully, Asus will provide a swift and comprehensive response to these concerns, offering clear guidance on preventing potential damage and addressing any design flaws in the PCIe Slot Q-Release Slim mechanism.
