Broke the pull tab on PCI e slot

[toasty99]

So I was trying to get my graphics card out (radeon 7950) and applied too much pressure on the weak plastic tab and snapped it completely off. Not even a little bit is left. So what are my options now? Do I have to force the GPU out or is there some way to release the locking mechanism still?

 

[Mr Kagouris]

You'll pretty much have to force it out yeah.

 

[toasty99]

How much force can I use? And where should I apply it? I really don't want to have to get a new motherboard or GPU

 

[NocturnalPing]

That bracket is to help in retention of the card. Seat it properly, Fasten it well and you should be fine.

 

[toasty99]

I understand that it is only to hold the GPU in place and I don't really need it. The problem in this case is that I was trying to remove the GPU when I snapped it so it is locked in there tight.

 

[little_me]

In that case, your best bet would be to just pull it upwards (away from the motherboard) and wiggle it back and forth slightly. (along the length/pci-e slot direction)
the wiggling movement does not need to be big but it kind of helps since according to physics pulling whole card at a force and pulling only one side of card results in bigger force.

just keep the wiggle movement quite small since there is not much free "space" in the pci-e slot.

Edit: above is posted based on the assumption that the retention/locking mechanism for the card was outside the actual card slot.
If it was similar to what most memory slots use (small plastic thing that kind of pushes the stick out if pressed) and it is completely broken, then there is nothing inside the slot that would keep the card there forcibly. In which case wiggle and force is pretty much best bet in my opinion. (and I've done so before with both parts working afterwards, mileage may of course wary)

 

[NocturnalPing]

Ouch, so its stuck in there huh? Sorry I misunderstood you. Yikes, scary but like Kagouris id say force it and hope for the best. You could always try and finagle something in the slot to push the broken piece aside.

 

[USAFRet]

How much force can I use? And where should I apply it? I really don't want to have to get a new motherboard or GPU

You use as much force as it takes.
Either the GPU will come out, or the GPU will break, or the motherboard socket will break.
Or some combination of the above.

 

[toasty99]

Thanks guys! I managed to force it out and luckily nothing else broke and its back to working!