Question Pcie 4.0 retention clip broken

[radicle_]

Motherboard: Msi b550 tomahawk mag its first pcie slot clip broke and half of it came out and the other half is still in there
Gpu - msi 3070 ventus oc 2fan
I saw multiple threads that there will be no issues using the GPU without the clip. So is it true???? And can the swap the clip with a different one??

 

[punkncat]

Most commonly folks would just take the lower clip and move to the top barring damage to the slot keeping one from doing so.

 

[geofelt]

If the screws at the i/o end are secure, you have little to worry about.
Better than a retention clip might be a support bracket like this to keep the gpu from sagging:

https://www.newegg.com/p/1W8-01SZ-00001?item=9SIAX6EET99281&source=region&nm_mc=knc-googlemkp-pc&cm_mmc=knc-googlemkp-pc-_-pla-hihoch-_-accessories+-+case+%2F+rackmount-_-9SIAX6EET99281&id0=Google&id1=19485915243&id2=145186487459&id3=&id4=&id5=pla-1983817721423&id6=&id7=9011570&id8=&id9=g&id10=c&id11=&id12=EAIaIQobChMI0bn8s5_F_gIVo__jBx3mfgBpEAQYAiABEgJIHfD_BwE&id13=&id14=Y&id15=&id16=643937454196&id17=&id18=&id19=&id20=&id21=pla&id22=368131144&id23=online&id24=9SIAX6EET99281&id25=US&id26=1983817721423&id27=Y&id28=&id29=&id30=1170727079156350988&id31=en&id32=&id33=&id34=&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[drea.drechsler]

Motherboard: Msi b550 tomahawk mag its first pcie slot clip broke and half of it came out and the other half is still in there
Gpu - msi 3070 ventus oc 2fan
I saw multiple threads that there will be no issues using the GPU without the clip. So is it true???? And can the swap the clip with a different one??

The retention clip's only function is to maintain card insertion in the PCIe socket, especially when the system is moved. So just check that the GPU is fully inserted in the socket every now and then or after moving it and it's not really going to be missed.

 

[radicle_]

@drea.drechsler ordered a Gpu support stand as a precaution...
Good???

 

[drea.drechsler]

@drea.drechsler ordered a Gpu support stand as a precaution...
Good???

The heavy GPU's we see these days sag so much... so yes, it's very good to use one but I think you'll still need to check on card insertion after moving the system to be safe.

 

[radicle_]

The heavy GPU's we see these days sag so much... so yes, it's very good to use one but I think you'll still need to check on card insertion after moving the system to be safe.

Can the Clip be swapped with another??

 

[drea.drechsler]

Can the Clip be swapped with another??

If another one of the same design I should think so. But there are several designs that I have seen so finding a donor one may be the greater difficulty. Also, on some boards the clip is molded into the body of the PCIe socket so it won't be removeable or replaceable.

Removing it from the donor without breaking it can also be tricky.

FWIW, I broke the retention clip on my Gigabyte AB350m Gaming 3 board way back and I've never had a problem. But if I ever move a system more than a few steps I always remove the GPU to prevent catastrophe.

 

[Zerk2012]

Can the Clip be swapped with another??

Don't stress it my Z97 motherboard clip has been broke for about 6 years, never had a problem. If you move the PC just make sure it's still plugged in all the way, the screws that hold it into the case slot holds it better than you would think.

 

[radicle_]

@drea.drechsler @Zerk2012 and others
Tysm for the help appreciated 🙏