I bought a prebuilt computer, and the case has a metal strip running along the top of the graphics card expansion slots. The strip seems to press against the plastic housing around my HDMI cable, preventing the connector from seating fully. As a result, the monitor randomly loses signal whenever the cable is touched. I'm considering filing down the cable's plastic housing or finding a slimmer HDMI cable, but I'm worried those could damage something. Is this metal strip removable or incorrectly installed, and what would be the safest way to fix the alignment?
3 Answers
If the seller confirms it’s okay, shut the computer down, unplug it, and remove the graphics card before working on the bracket. The metal piece appears to be clamped into place rather than welded, so a flat screwdriver may be able to release it through the small gap. Be careful not to scratch the board or bend the case.
That looks like a removable case insert covering unused expansion-slot openings. The graphics card should normally line up with the opening, so the strip may be installed incorrectly or the card may not be seated in the right position. Don’t file down the HDMI cable or force the connector. Contact the seller first, since removing the insert or adjusting the card could affect the warranty.
Another possibility is that the GPU is slightly misaligned. Loosening the screw that holds the card to the case may let you shift or tilt it enough for the HDMI port to line up properly, but only do this with the computer powered off and avoid putting stress on the card.
I’ll check with the seller before removing anything and will avoid modifying the cable. If they approve it, I’ll inspect the bracket and GPU alignment with the system unplugged.