gpu PCIE LOCK NOT ACCESSIBLE

[L4G_NAToR]

Hello Everyone,
 

I’m excited to share that my build is finally complete! Yesterday, I received my GPU (4070 SUPER OC).

However, I’m currently facing a small issue: I can no longer access the PCIe lock due to the size of my air cooler and the GPU’s length.

I would appreciate any ideas on how to access the lock later when I need to remove the GPU.

I’ve attached some pictures to provide a clearer understanding.

[SorryBella]

7 minutes ago, L4G_NAToR said:

I can no longer access the PCIe lock due to the size of my air cooler and the GPU’s length.

I would appreciate any ideas on how to access the lock later when I need to remove the GPU.

Any thin, rigid shaft. No thats nothing sexual, thats all you need. 

[RONOTHAN##]

1 hour ago, L4G_NAToR said:

I would appreciate any ideas on how to access the lock later when I need to remove the GPU.

Unsharpened pencil, chop stick, pen, etc. Screwdriver would also work (I have used that in situations like these), but since it's pretty likely to stab the motherboard if you're not super careful you probably want to avoid using that since that will do do some damage.

 

The other option is to just take the CPU cooler off when you need to get to the GPU, though that is definitely a bit overkill. 

[L4G_NAToR]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, because the gap is so slim I could pass thin objects!
I used a wooden disposeable knife used for cutting birthday cakes! Works well it's slim, rigid & not sharp.
Although it is difficult but better than taking the CPU cooler off!

[TatamiMatt]

You also might have your cooler on "upside down"

 

Its fine to have it on either way, but thermal right offset their coolers to one side so theyre slightly further away from the GPU so things like the PCIe lock are accessible (or more accessible), youve probably got it on in the orientation that its moved further downwards instead of upwards

 

image for reference

[DoctorNick]

@L4G_NAToR

 

The easiest way to solve this is removing the front fan on the cooler, by releasing the top clip for the fan and after with minimal pressure forcing the other clip off by pressing down on the fan. 

[DoctorNick]

-- nevermind x2 post lol

[Timme]

Those PCi locks are a marvel. It's so braindead simple in design and execution, yet give it a few years and it becomes the most dangerous feature with no way to mitigate potential harm to the entire system. 

Is there any harm in simply breaking it off? If I understand correctly, it only protects against accidental pulling out of the card, and all the rest relies on the bracket's fixation on the case. 

[TatamiMatt]

29 minutes ago, Timme said:

Those PCi locks are a marvel. It's so braindead simple in design and execution, yet give it a few years and it becomes the most dangerous feature with no way to mitigate potential harm to the entire system. 

Is there any harm in simply breaking it off? If I understand correctly, it only protects against accidental pulling out of the card, and all the rest relies on the bracket's fixation on the case. 

Yeah a lot of people do take them off, say on a testing bench where they have GPUs coming and going, it just clips off

[L4G_NAToR]

On 1/21/2025 at 1:28 PM, TatamiMatt said:

You also might have your cooler on "upside down"

 

Its fine to have it on either way, but thermal right offset their coolers to one side so theyre slightly further away from the GPU so things like the PCIe lock are accessible (or more accessible), youve probably got it on in the orientation that its moved further downwards instead of upwards

 

image for reference

wow! this is mind blowing, didn't really pay attention to this!