Bent motherboard pins ? (long post)

[tussinman]

i5 12400, Inland PCI 4.0 NVME, Asus H670 TUF, G-skill DDR4 2x16 CL16, Seasonic 650 Gold, RTX 2060

Built this computer a week ago (GPU was carried over from old build, PSU as well but it's only a few months old) and was having issues with the computer freezing every 3 or 4 hours. The freeze would not create a blue screen or register a windows error, the screen would literally just freeze and that's it (hard reset with the case was the only way to get it to stop)

The freezing would only happen during light activity (browsing the internet or leaving for a few minutes and then coming back and screens frozen). Did stress test, video games, memory test and those type of activities would never create the freeze

I've re-installed windows three times to rule out software issue. I've changed both the ram and powersupply out and same issue. I was in the process of doing the final steps (trying a different SSD to rule that out, installing a proper CPU cooler instead of the stock to rule out bad fan, using integrated graphics to rule out either bad GPU or bad PCI xpress slot) when I noticed this

When I went to install the new aftermarket CPU cooler I noticed one of the motherboard pins was completely bent. This was an open box motherboard I bought so I wonder if the previous owner damaged it. I'm wondering can this cause the stability issues i'm facing ?

I have 2 more weeks for a return window so I'm trying to figure out should I just immediately return the motherboard and hope this is the issue or should I keep it a little longer in order to try to rule out the SSD, GPU, and CPU cooler.

The CPU appears to be fine but i'm wondering since it was placed in what looks to be a damaged motherboard should I return it as well ?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Bent single pin usually isn't a huge deal
Issue mostly is it's touching another pin
But yes return for replacement or refund asap.

 

[Bones]

Most of the time any warranty about it will be rejected because they say it's "User Damage".
I mean you can ask but that's what I'd expect to hear in reply from them.

If the warranty/return/refund is rejected not all is lost - Yet.
That pin can be fixed but you must be careful and take your time with it - Trying to rush the job like there is a deadline to get it done only works against you.
Big thing is not to break it.

A good magnifying glass or headset with a magnifying lens and light is what to use so you can see "How" it's bent and undo the bending correctly. Tools used can vary but for example a toothpick works or a really finely pointed tool in general. I like using toothpicks becuae you can actually trim and shape the tip to whatever shape you want it to be for the work and they are cheap too. A really fine tipped set of tweezers is handy as well if you must grab the pin and manipulate it such as undoing a twist in the pin.

Biggest thing is again, be careful and methodical (No rush) with this kind of work.
You won't win any medals getting it done in record time - You have as long as it takes to get it done right.

 

[mclaren85]

PC industry should immediately find a solution to this shitty bend problem. I don't know how but thinking about bent cpu bins or bent mb pins are utterly disgusting.