[SOLVED] i scratched my msi x470 gaming plus motherboard

[Nad95]

im so worried and stressed out by this, really hope it is not gonna affect anything as it is a really small component, as can be seen in the picture below(link), a component has been flattened out plus a minor scratch . the computer was running fine when tested but still i couldn't help but feel unease. Helpp!!
https://ibb.co/zFsYFw4

Whats-App-Image-2019-07-07-at-1-23-02-AM hosted at ImgBB

Image Whats-App-Image-2019-07-07-at-1-23-02-AM hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

MOBO hosted at ImgBB

Image MOBO hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

https://ibb.co/0KW0qst

 

[COLGeek]

I see nothing to worry about. Game on!

 

[Satan-IR]

Welcome to the forums!

Components, no matter how small, are there for a reason. Some might work for certain functionalities. The system booting and working MIGHT mean it's not a critical one, or one to fine-tune a certain function.

I can't quite make it but looks like a resistor or a small ceramic capacitor.

The scratch on PCB tracks seems not too deep, so not cutting them off. Seems like all is OK.

 

[1LiquidPC]

Looks like a missing 0402 resistor near the scratch? Is that what you are referring to? If not, looks like a small indent into the solder joint of component above it. If it still "works" normally, that's good. However, you may encounter issues as time goes on. Each part serves a purpose. Work with this for a living.

 

[drea.drechsler]

im so worried and stressed
...

Do you have a larger shot to see where on the board the damage is located?

Since you're using it as before it might be nothing. Or it might be in an area of the board or involving circuitry you're not currently using. So long as you continue to not use it you'd be OK, of course, even if it is damaged bad enough to matter.

 

[Nad95]

Looks like a missing 0402 resistor near the scratch? Is that what you are referring to? If not, looks like a small indent into the solder joint of component above it. If it still "works" normally, that's good. However, you may encounter issues as time goes on. Each part serves a purpose. Work with this for a living.

yes, that exactly is the component i was mentioning, just right next to the small scratch. since it is an unknown part to me, that what makes me feel really scared haha . So how do feel about it, the system when tested were working fine so far, but yea i just cant help but feel like it must have a purpose to it to be there.

 

[Nad95]

Do you have a larger shot to see where on the board the damage is located?

Since you're using it as before it might be nothing. Or it might be in an area of the board or involving circuitry you're not currently using. So long as you continue to not use it you'd be OK, of course, even if it is damaged bad enough to matter.

heres the shot, i just took them from google though, but its exactly the same mobo. how shall i figure out whether im using the part or not?
https://ibb.co/0KW0qst

MOBO hosted at ImgBB

Image MOBO hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[Nad95]

I see nothing to worry about. Game on!

i really2 hope so, its not something u wanna have a scratch on, whats more it is brand new

 

[Nad95]

Welcome to the forums!

Components, no matter how small, are there for a reason. Some might work for certain functionalities. The system booting and working MIGHT mean it's not a critical one, or one to fine-tune a certain function.

I can't quite make it but looks like a resistor or a small ceramic capacitor.

The scratch on PCB tracks seems not too deep, so not cutting them off. Seems like all is OK.

the scratch might not be causing problems here as it is not that bad, but the main worry here is the capacitor/resistor that had been removed from its place. im trying to google what out the specific purpose of this capacitor, but seems like im not gonna get an answer straight away. Anyway, heres the wide view of the motherboard and the location of the scratch, if u know anything about this pls do explain. thank you.
https://ibb.co/M8NKfPR
https://ibb.co/0KW0qst

 

[EightBitRanger]

Speaking of things you don't want to scratch, this is one of them. Don't scratch these.

 

[drea.drechsler]

heres the shot, i just took them from google though, but its exactly the same mobo. how shall i figure out whether im using the part or not?
https://ibb.co/0KW0qst

MOBO hosted at ImgBB

Image MOBO hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

It looks to be in the Audio section... try all the inputs/outputs on both front panel and back panel if you can. If you don't experience any issues I'd say you've nothing to worry about!

EDIT ADD: I am guessing those components are input/output line protection for the audio connections to the back panel audio jacks in the silver box right next to them. They keep you from frying components on the mobo if you touch a connected wire with a big electro-static shock discharge.

 

[Nad95]

Speaking of things you don't want to scratch, this is one of them. Don't scratch these.

whats causing them, for future reference

 

[drea.drechsler]

whats causing them, for future reference

For that picture...my guess would be careless removal or installation of heatsink/fan or water block onto the CPU right next to it. If it's allowed to rock to far to one side it can do that pretty easily.

 

[EightBitRanger]

whats causing them, for future reference

I did. My CPU started overheating really bad even at idle so while I was trying to diagnose, I removed/reinstalled my CPU cooler a few times before I came to the conclusion it was dead and that's what was causing it. I suspect that while trying to remove the double-sided screw that holds the bracket onto the back of the board and what the cooler screws down onto, I slipped and nicked those wires.

 

[Nad95]

It looks to be in the Audio section... try all the inputs/outputs on both front panel and back panel if you can. If you don't experience any issues I'd say you've nothing to worry about!

alright, but i cant try it right now. i will try it as soon i have my monitor delivered to me, i booted it using a friend's monitor at his place as we were assembling the PC there, now time to anxiously wait until my monitor arrive to check thing out. Thanks so much anyway, been looking for some comforting words for this.

 

[Nad95]

For that picture...my guess would be careless removal or installation of heatsink/fan or water block onto the CPU right next to it. If it's allowed to rock to far to one side it can do that pretty easily.

Now i feel like leaving all the hardware stuff to the experts, we amateurs tend to mess things up in every possible way.

 

[Nad95]

I did. My CPU started overheating really bad even at idle so while I was trying to diagnose, I removed/reinstalled my CPU cooler a few times before I came to the conclusion it was dead and that's what was causing it. I suspect that while trying to remove the double-sided screw that holds the bracket onto the back of the board and what the cooler screws down onto, I slipped and nicked those wires.

thanks, i would be extra careful when removing the CPU if there is any next time of me messing around with my system hardware again

 

[drea.drechsler]

thanks, i would be extra careful when removing the CPU if there is any next time of me messing around with my system hardware again

I really like the heat sinks that have easy to mount brackets you put on the board then attach the heavy heat sink (or water block) to that. Similar to how Noctua's products work. It keeps the heavy action well away from the board.

But even that can't stop crazy-dumb butter finger mistakes... like dropping a screwdriver straight as an arrow into the board. I did that on my brand new B350M Gaming 3. Luckily, it only hit traces from the chipset to the second PCIe x16/4 slot which will never see use-age.

 

[1LiquidPC]

Does look like it's related to either audio given location, ethernet perhaps, can't quite make out writing on nearby controller IC, or the rear IO. I'd test all the rear IO inputs for USB, ect. and listen for audio anomalies.

 

[Satan-IR]

the scratch might not be causing problems here as it is not that bad, but the main worry here is the capacitor/resistor that had been removed from its place. im trying to google what out the specific purpose of this capacitor, but seems like im not gonna get an answer straight away. Anyway, heres the wide view of the motherboard and the location of the scratch, if u know anything about this pls do explain. thank you.
https://ibb.co/M8NKfPR
https://ibb.co/0KW0qst

Yes looks like some line filtering (if that was a capacitor) or as said above maybe surge protection (if a resistor). As I said earlier if the system boots and works you probably have nothing to worry about.

To make absolutely sure what that component does (did in your case!) we'd need the schematic of the motherboard, however, I think it was a resistor and resistors are mainly used in such circuitry to ensure a certain state when user power cycles the system, to pull up inputs or to limit current. They are also used to terminate transmission buses to lower/eliminate what are called 'reflections' which can happen because of impedance mismatch.

When you get it going check audio and other functionalities on the back I/O panel see if all work.

Maybe you were lucky and that was not a crucial part of the circuit as to cause system not to POST. However, if it was a part of the filtering or voltage regulation circuitry it MIGHT shorten the life of the motherboard down the road.

I said might because chances are it will work fine especially if you do no notice any abnormality with the system functions.

 

[Nad95]

I really like the heat sinks that have easy to mount brackets you put on the board then attach the heavy heat sink (or water block) to that. Similar to how Noctua's products work. It keeps the heavy action well away from the board.

But even that can't stop crazy-dumb butter finger mistakes... like dropping a screwdriver straight as an arrow into the board. I did that on my brand new B350M Gaming 3. Luckily, it only hit traces from the chipset to the second PCIe x16/4 slot which will never see use-age.

i feel u bro, no matter how careful we are, those so called dumb accidents tend to happen and when it does happened we gonna start over thinking what would be the effect of the scratches have on the mobo, hopefully things go well with mine.

 

[Nad95]

Yes looks like some line filtering (if that was a capacitor) or as said above maybe surge protection (if a resistor). As I said earlier if the system boots and works you probably have nothing to worry about.

To make absolutely sure what that component does (did in your case!) we'd need the schematic of the motherboard, however, I think it was a resistor and resistors are mainly used in such circuitry to ensure a certain state when user power cycles the system, to pull up inputs or to limit current. They are also used to terminate transmission buses to lower/eliminate what are called 'reflections' which can happen because of impedance mismatch.

When you get it going check audio and other functionalities on the back I/O panel see if all work.

Maybe you were lucky and that was not a crucial part of the circuit as to cause system not to POST. However, if it was a part of the filtering or voltage regulation circuitry it MIGHT shorten the life of the motherboard down the road.

I said might because chances are it will work fine especially if you do no notice any abnormality with the system functions.

Thank sir for explaining your thoughts on my mobo, will do as u suggested. Just need a little patience and wait for the monitor

 

[Nad95]

Does look like it's related to either audio given location, ethernet perhaps, can't quite make out writing on nearby controller IC, or the rear IO. I'd test all the rear IO inputs for USB, ect. and listen for audio anomalies.

Alright will do every checks that i could do for the I/O when my monitor arrives. Thanks so much sir