Scratched GPU PCB

[GarGangg]

Howdy. Was recently given a 1660ti to use in my new sffpc. Before installation I noticed a decent scratch in the PCB right near the PCIe pins. I've tried to do some continuity testing to find shorts, but I really don't have much experience or knowledge with repairing or diagnosing electronics this complicated. I'm on the fence as to whether or not it's safe to just plug in and try. Any advice or input is greatly appreciated. I'd love to get off integrated graphics as soon as possible lol.

[bmx6454]

it looks mostly cosmetic imo. i would run it as-is

[Somerandomtechyboi]

1 minute ago, bmx6454 said:

it looks mostly cosmetic imo. i would run it as-is

^^^

Likely cosmetic, that just looks like plain copper cause if there was a trace under it then it would look like those small traces that are connected to the golden pcie contacts, not just a flat slightly raised looking plate

[GarGangg]

13 minutes ago, bmx6454 said:

it looks mostly cosmetic imo. i would run it as-is

 

9 minutes ago, Somerandomtechyboi said:

^^^

Likely cosmetic, that just looks like plain copper cause if there was a trace under it then it would look like those small traces that are connected to the golden pcie contacts, not just a flat slightly raised looking plate

Any worries about the 3rd & 4th pin from the right, after the key notch? I believe they'd be pins 13 & 14 on the A side of a pin diagram. Seems to be the deepest area of the scratch.

 

Edit: I meant 2nd & 3rd from the right

[RONOTHAN##]

2 minutes ago, GarGangg said:

 

Any worries about the 3rd & 4th pin from the right, after the key notch? I believe they'd be pins 13 & 14 on the A side of a pin diagram. Seems to be the deepest area of the scratch.

 

Edit: I meant 2nd & 3rd from the right

They're the ones I'd worry about the least, it doesn't look like it broke the solder mask so none of the traces should be affected. 

 

Besides, there's only one way to find out if it works. Plug it in and see what happens, it should fire right up. 

[GarGangg]

1 minute ago, RONOTHAN## said:

They're the ones I'd worry about the least, it doesn't look like it broke the solder mask so none of the traces should be affected. 

 

Besides, there's only one way to find out if it works. Plug it in and see what happens, it should fire right up. 

Sending it. Cross your fingers and toes for me.

[Blue4130]

49 minutes ago, Somerandomtechyboi said:

^^^

Likely cosmetic, that just looks like plain copper cause if there was a trace under it then it would look like those small traces that are connected to the golden pcie contacts, not just a flat slightly raised looking plate

That flat slightly raised part IS a trace. It's VCC to be specific.

[Somerandomtechyboi]

1 hour ago, Blue4130 said:

That flat slightly raised part IS a trace. It's VCC to be specific.

I did not know traces could be that thicc but i guess i should have looked abit closer to see that its connected to some golden contacts, id assume its fine if the trace is abit scratched cause of how large it is

 

Though i also noticed that 2 smaller traces also seem to have been scratched aswell but the solder mask is still on it so id assume its problably ok

[Blue4130]

2 hours ago, Somerandomtechyboi said:

I did not know traces could be that thicc but i guess i should have looked abit closer to see that its connected to some golden contacts, id assume its fine if the trace is abit scratched cause of how large it is

 

Though i also noticed that 2 smaller traces also seem to have been scratched aswell but the solder mask is still on it so id assume its problably ok

Traces that carry power can be VERY thick, especially on something that needs as much juice as a gpu. It has the potential to get 75w from the slot. Need lots of copper for that.