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For this problem their motherboards keep on having:

https://www.google.com/search?q=asus+m.2+screw+stuck&oq=asus&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j69i57j69i60.1577j0j7&client=tablet-android-nvidia&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

The boards are advertised with having however many slots for M.2 drives, but the screw that comes holding the cover down to access those slots is sealed shut, and the consumer cannot open them to access the slot with regular normal hand tools (screwdrivers).

People mention they use loctite blue glue but this isn't the issue - all the other screws that came off also have that, and on my last board that had this problem I was able to remove the whole M.2 heatsink from the bottom and tried cooking the screws on my gas hob to melt any such glue, tried using a rubber band under the screwdriver for better grip, tried using pliers on a raised screw to try and turn it (and ofc to the left!), and the screws won't loosen the slightest.

Additionally on the new Z490 board I got, they had the nerve to update the screws on the top heatsink to stronger reinforced flat head screws that open a lot easier to access the top M.2 slot, but then the single screw holding down the cover to the bottom one was the same old weak ass aluminium screw with a tiny Phillips head and sealed down permanently.

Only thing I can do is return it to the seller and I asked them to try remove the screw themselves and if they can send me it back, if not I'll try one replacement and record trying to access the M.2 slot (I already recorded it for my Z390), and if the problem persists small claims court against Asus.

I sent Asus an email with a suitable out of court settlement - Provide me a fully working faultless Z490 itx board without these minor defects and I am still willing to pay for it, albeit subtracted from my other upgrade costs as the only reason I needed to upgrade was due to having the same problem on my Z390, then trying a different brand, other brands don't overclock my ram at all, sent it back and tried to find a replacement Asus Z390, no longer stocked or made, so had to order a Z490 upgrade, and now the same problem.

When the Asus ITX motherboards actually work as they should, you can't get anything better, but the problem is getting one without this and often times other minor defects.

For this problem their motherboards keep on having: https://www.google.com/search?q=asus+m.2+screw+stuck&oq=asus&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j69i57j69i60.1577j0j7&client=tablet-android-nvidia&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 The boards are advertised with having however many slots for M.2 drives, but the screw that comes holding the cover down to access those slots is sealed shut, and the consumer cannot open them to access the slot with regular normal hand tools (screwdrivers). People mention they use loctite blue glue but this isn't the issue - all the other screws that came off also have that, and on my last board that had this problem I was able to remove the whole M.2 heatsink from the bottom and tried cooking the screws on my gas hob to melt any such glue, tried using a rubber band under the screwdriver for better grip, tried using pliers on a raised screw to try and turn it (and ofc to the left!), and the screws won't loosen the slightest. Additionally on the new Z490 board I got, they had the nerve to update the screws on the top heatsink to stronger reinforced flat head screws that open a lot easier to access the top M.2 slot, but then the single screw holding down the cover to the bottom one was the same old weak ass aluminium screw with a tiny Phillips head and sealed down permanently. Only thing I can do is return it to the seller and I asked them to try remove the screw themselves and if they can send me it back, if not I'll try one replacement and record trying to access the M.2 slot (I already recorded it for my Z390), and if the problem persists small claims court against Asus. I sent Asus an email with a suitable out of court settlement - Provide me a fully working faultless Z490 itx board without these minor defects and I am still willing to pay for it, albeit subtracted from my other upgrade costs as the only reason I needed to upgrade was due to having the same problem on my Z390, then trying a different brand, other brands don't overclock my ram at all, sent it back and tried to find a replacement Asus Z390, no longer stocked or made, so had to order a Z490 upgrade, and now the same problem. When the Asus ITX motherboards actually work as they should, you can't get anything better, but the problem is getting one without this and often times other minor defects.

(post is archived)

[–] [deleted] 1 pt (edited )

You sound like an ASUS fanboi, and Idk where you're getting your info. Specs on my board support up to 4600mhz 4800mhz, and it only has 2 DIMM slots. I just think getting DDR4 at that speed is a waste of money seeing as DDR5 is on the horizon.

[–] 0 pt (edited )

I didn't buy DDR4 4000.

I bought 2x16 Gb 3200 MHz micron E Die for £150 and it overclocked to 4000 MHz CL18 on both my Asus Z370 (I accidentally damaged the pins) and Z390 (stuck screw and broken CMOS).

Specs on the Gigabyte board I got said it supports 4400 MHz but doesn't even boot at 3400 MHz.

Do me a favour then to check - download memtest for free and open it, and tell me if it still says you have 2 populated dimms plus 2 empty ones. This is what it shows for my Gigabyte board. If that's the case then the board has not been optimised for 2 ram slots, they simply remove two but the board still has connections and operates as though it has 4 so it doesn't work any better. Asus boards with 2 ram slots fully disable all the hardware for the two extra slots, so all the power delivery and whatever else goes to just those two slots.

The specs that are listed on the board are usually only tested with 8 Gb ram sticks, and there are no power delivery optimizations for just two slots do enable what such Asus boards can pull off with higher density sticks.

Gigabyte is a shit budget brand. Since you keep referencing that, it sounds like you bought a budget MSI board sometime in the past and expect everything in their lineup to be cost cutting like that board. ASUS makes shit too, but they also make quality. MSI is on the same level and has honestly served me 10X better than anything ASUS has ever made. Thing is I understand that just my experience.... not the rule. So I'm not going to waste my time for a fanboi.

[–] 0 pt (edited )

No mate I bought a £450 MSI godlike in the past and it stopped booting in less than 6 months. Don't want to touch MSI again after that.

I'd rather take stuck screws than Motherboard that fails to boot at such a price.

And like MSI has served you better, other than the stuck screws Asus continues to serve me better. The motherboards don't fail at least and they overclock the most from all the brand's I have tried.