Hey everyone,
I ran into a bit of trouble while building my PC. When I tried to screw in my CPU cooler, I found that one of the screw holes was filled, and it looks like a screw has snapped off inside the motherboard. Unfortunately, I'm past the return deadline on Amazon, and I've been waiting for months to collect my components at good prices.
The motherboard I'm using is an ASUS B650E-MAX Gaming WiFi (AM5). Is there any way I can fix this at home, or should I reach out to ASUS for repair or replacement? Thanks for your help! Check out the photo link for a clearer idea of the issue: [https://imgur.com/a/aRIsrH2](https://imgur.com/a/aRIsrH2)
3 Answers
Drilling out the screw might work too, but it’s risky and could damage the motherboard. Make sure you’re ready to replace the board if things go south!
It sounds like it might be salvageable, but most users won't have the skills to do it themselves. I found some backplates online that might fit, though there's a chance they won't be compatible with AM5. Here are some links for reference: [possible AM4 backplate](https://www.ebay.com/itm/265449579540) and [AM5 specific one](https://www.ebay.com/itm/306613404695).
Those backplates only have the outer screws. What about the ones near the CPU? Are they necessary? Do I need a special backplate for AM5?
Actually, those screws are pretty crucial for AM5. They have built-in standoffs that need to be used, so you can't skip them if you want the socket to work properly.
You could try using a backout bit to remove the screw. They can be pretty effective for this type of situation! Just be careful not to damage your motherboard in the process.
Yeah, but isn’t he going to need that slot later? It’s definitely a delicate balance!