Asus confirms changes to PCIe motherboard ports

If I were investing 2 grand (or more) on a new graphics card and another numerous hundred bucks on a top-of-the-line motherboard to go along with it, I would not desire the latter to scratch up the former. Asus seems to have recognized this, so fleetingly with some main statements. Yep, it’s possibly worth a little bit more R&D if they want to maintain this attribute to life for future motherboard layouts.

Yes, a change has actually been made to the Q-Release Slim system for new X870 motherboards. Based on individual comments, we have actually customized the PCIe port for the Q-Release Slim system, including removing a steel part to lower the opportunity of damages to the video card. In addition, sticker labels have been contributed to the system to educate customers concerning ‘proper system usage.’

Q-Release (sans Slim) provides a much more simple alternative, an extended bar and switch that basically moves the hard-to-reach retention clip to a far more accessible spot on the motherboard. PCWorld’s Adam Patrick Murray, that’s possibly built a lot more PCs than he’s had hot meals now, chooses this set. After years of taking care with the sometimes-finicky procedure of mounting and getting rid of GPUs, it feels abnormal to just order and yank one out without some additional defense.

Twitter/X account Uniko’s Hardware identified a noticeably distinctive lock system on the Asus X870E Peak motherboard, which is currently up for pre-order on Newegg. They guess that the bracket in between the preliminary retention fix (that first intermediary section on the slot of the GPU itself) and the x16 pin area got rid of a steel bar. It resembles it’s either plastic or a much different, thinner steel building and construction currently.

Twitter/X account Uniko’s Equipment found a visibly unique latch mechanism on the Asus X870E Apex motherboard, which is currently up for pre-order on Newegg. If I were investing 2 grand (or more) on a new graphics card and an additional numerous hundred dollars on a high-grade motherboard to go along with it, I would not want the last to scratch up the former.

We’re talking about small revisions of a fairly involved style here, yet as VideoCardz.com notes, it makes good sense that Asus would want to get the design right on its most pricey motherboards. Q-Release Slim is a function on just a few Asus motherboards, with the desired function being the ability to get rid of a heavy GPU with one hand and a mild drawing movement from the front yet not the middle.

Michael is a 10-year professional of innovation journalism, covering every little thing from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he’s the resident keyboard nut, constantly using a new one for a testimonial and constructing a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop computer “battlestation” in his off hours. Michael’s previous bylines consist of Android Authorities, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he’s covered occasions like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael resides in Pennsylvania where he’s constantly expecting his following kayaking trip.

Asus has actually been having some trouble with its high-end video gaming motherboards. As the newest graphics cards released, customers observed some scrapes and chips on motherboards with the Q-Release Slim system, which lets you pull a card out of its PCIe slot without using latches or buttons. Based upon some retail photos, the most recent Asus motherboards seem to have actually modified the troublesome ports.

Once more, I’ll point out that the scratching concerns on Q-Release Slim motherboards have only been discovered by professional graphics cards testers and customers, who connect in and get rid of cards way extra frequently than the majority of at-home desktop PC builders. And even among that tiny batch of reports, damage to the GPU links has actually been completely cosmetic without practical problems.

As the most recent graphics cards introduced, reviewers noticed some scratches and chips on motherboards with the Q-Release Slim system, which lets you draw a card out of its PCIe slot without utilizing latches or switches. Based on some retail images, the most current Asus motherboards seem to have actually revised the problematic ports.