[SOLVED] What do these metal pins do on PCI E slot?

[gamer666]

Iv'e noticed there is a metal pin that is on the PCI-E slot and it was not in alignment with all the others on the slot. I managed to move it a bit and it went right back into the normal position again. It was the metal pin right at the end where you lock down the GPU into MOBO. Everything is working fine on the PC was just wondering what those pins do and if its a fault with the motherboard or they all do that? What happens if one of those pins does not have contact?

https://imgur.com/a/AhT5jV5

View: https://imgur.com/a/AhT5jV5

As you can see on the picture those metal pings are closest to inner of the slot. One of the pins was leaning towards the outer side of the slot where marked.

 

[anotherdrew]

Those are the pins that make contact with your GPU. The bottom edge (that goes into the slot) of your GPU is lined with gold contacts and the pins make contact with those gold contacts. The pins are spring loaded so they make good contact. It sounds like one got caught ( foreign matter, manufacturing defect, etc) and didn't spring back into it's normal position after you removed the card. It's good that it went back after you helped it, but if you ever expereince GPU issue, this might be the reason.

Bottom line ... if everything works, then don't worry to much (keep an eye on it) ... If you have issues, especially GPU type issues, this could be the reason.

 

[gamer666]

Those are the pins that make contact with your GPU. The bottom edge (that goes into the slot) of your GPU is lined with gold contacts and the pins make contact with those gold contacts. The pins are spring loaded so they make good contact. It sounds like one got caught ( foreign matter, manufacturing defect, etc) and didn't spring back into it's normal position after you removed the card. It's good that it went back after you helped it, but if you ever expereince GPU issue, this might be the reason.

Bottom line ... if everything works, then don't worry to much (keep an eye on it) ... If you have issues, especially GPU type issues, this could be the reason.

Thanks for the info. I have been having some issues with a GPU support installed but when its removed its fine. with gpu support the gpu would run at 8x or lower in a x16 slot.

 

[anotherdrew]

Thanks for the info. I have been having some issues with a GPU support installed but when its removed its fine. with gpu support the gpu would run at 8x or lower in a x16 slot.

Hmm ... if the support is pushing the card slightly away from that pin and spring is stuck, you could be getting bad contact. Many boards have multiple 16x slots (and some those have 2 16x slots, but one will only run at 8x ... need to check your boards specs), is it possible to use another slot?

 

[gamer666]

is it possible to use another slot?

Nah other slot is 8x unfortunately.
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