How fragile are GPUs and should I be worried?

[Zarvienne]

First time builder paranoia is kicking in and I am worried about my GPU - an RX 480. When I was installing it, I for some reason decided to take it out. Silly and sleep deprived me then tried removing the GPU from the slot without removing the little clip! I did apply some force to this, but there was no yanking and only a consistent amount of pressure being applied, the GPU was not ripped out of the slot and wouldn't budge.
After a quick google, I figured out what was up, removed the clip via a screwdriver, then reinstalled it.

The question is, how likely is it that I have damaged the GPU with my trying to remove it without unclipping it first? Are the pins really fragile and would any damage manifest itself straight away (I can't see any issues at the moment)?
Should I remove my GPU from the motherboard and check for damage?

Thankfully, I bought a one month insurance that includes such things, it's just a question of whether I have to use it!

 

[USAFRet]

On a scale of 1 to 10...1 being totally broken and 10 being fully functional...
I'd put yours at about a 9.98.

It is fine. Don't worry.

 

[Eximo]

If it was a straight pull, there would only be mechanical stress on the clip and the PCB. If you did a lot of wiggling, you might have shortened the number of times the PCIe slot can be re-used. But they are probably good for several dozen insertions before there would be a problem.

Basically, if it is working, don't worry about it.

 

[coozie7]

Sounds like it is fine, any damage to the pins or card will usually be instantly seen, either physically or when the system is running.

 

[MaliciousBanana]

First time builder paranoia is kicking in and I am worried about my GPU - an RX 480. When I was installing it, I for some reason decided to take it out. Silly and sleep deprived me then tried removing the GPU from the slot without removing the little clip! I did apply some force to this, but there was no yanking and only a consistent amount of pressure being applied, the GPU was not ripped out of the slot and wouldn't budge.
After a quick google, I figured out what was up, removed the clip via a screwdriver, then reinstalled it.

The question is, how likely is it that I have damaged the GPU with my trying to remove it without unclipping it first? Are the pins really fragile and would any damage manifest itself straight away (I can't see any issues at the moment)?
Should I remove my GPU from the motherboard and check for damage?

Thankfully, I bought a one month insurance that includes such things, it's just a question of whether I have to use it!

Honestly I've done many more stupid and possibly damaging things that than (Dropped a screwdriver on a mobo, etc.), and everything works for me. I wouldn't worry too much.