I recently built my PC and I'm looking to add an NVMe SSD, but I'm having a tough time removing my GPU. The GPU and CPU cooler are both quite large, making it super tight in my case. I can't get the CPU cooler off because the GPU is in the way, and the latch on the GPU isn't easily accessible either. Has anyone experienced this, and what did you do to get around the issue? Here's my setup: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE cooler with a Sapphire 9070XT GPU on a Gigabyte B850 motherboard, all inside a LIAN Li 217 case. It's very snug in there!
4 Answers
You might want to try uploading some images to a site like Imgur for better clarity. To remove the GPU, there should be a latch on the right side that you need to push down while unscrewing the left side. If you do that, the GPU should slide right out without having to remove anything else.
I’d advise against using a screwdriver to reach the GPU latch—it could damage your motherboard if you're not careful. Something like a chopstick or a cotton swab should work better since they’re less likely to scratch or break any components.
If your cooler has a front fan, consider removing it first. You can usually unlatch it from the top to give yourself some more space to work. Just make sure you know where the latches are; this might help with access.
In a similar situation, I used a pen to slip in from underneath the GPU to depress the latch. Depending on how tight it is, something shorter might work better for you if the GPU is really close to the bottom of your case.
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