Warped Asus Z97-A ?

[Paul343]

Good day,

I have put together all of my own computers and have never seen a mobo come out of the box with a warp before. There has been no heatsink (or CPU) on the board and it has not been installed in a case.

Is it normal to have some bend in a motherboard?

I feel that I should RMA it before trying it at all as this could lead to future problems, but don't want to do that if it isn't necessary... It will go straight with a minimal amount of pressure and I'm sure it will be flat after it is mounted in the case.

I am unable to currently add pictures, so I will try to describe it...

The top left corner is bent up (orientation in a case). The bend (warp) seems to be in the area where the IO panel is located, and near the heatsink above the CPU.

The opposite sides from the bend are completely straight. When the either side that has a bend (top and IO panel side) is tipped up (to remove the backplate from the equation) the top left corner is raised about 5mm.

Happy to clarify further and any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

 

[VirtualLarry]

IMHO, it should never have been allowed to leave the factory like that. RMA it while you still can, or exhange it with the retailer.

 

[Flapdrol1337]

5mm doesn't sound too serious, as long as you don't see a clear "fold line".

Anyway, I'd just test it, if it works it works. If you RMA it someone might use force to straighten it and send it back, that's not going to improve the board.

 

[tential]

If you see something off with a board you JUST bought, just return it...
There is no way I wouldn't, even if nothing actually stops it from working, you purchased expecting a new flawless product, not a "98% of the way product".

Once we start accepting products with defects, their quality control goes down the drain.

Example: Video Games

 

[Ryanrenesis]

If you see something off with a board you JUST bought, just return it...
There is no way I wouldn't, even if nothing actually stops it from working, you purchased expecting a new flawless product, not a "98% of the way product".

Once we start accepting products with defects, their quality control goes down the drain.

Example: Video Games

Quality control doesn't improve by sending products back. Company policy dictates quality control, not customer RMA.

Like Flapdrol said, they can easily straighten it out and send it back, or send you a board with even worse defects.

I'd definitely keep it if it works without issues.

 

[Rvenger]

I don't think I ever had a motherboard that wasn't bent to some degree. Once you get it in the case the standoffs will straighten it out. Just don't force it to be straight.

 

[master_shake_]

I don't think I ever had a motherboard that wasn't bent to some degree. Once you get it in the case the standoffs will straighten it out. Just don't force it to be straight.

this.

it's made out of fiberglass.

 

[Paul343]

Thanks for all the info folks,

For clarity, here are some photos that show the problem.

The board was propped up with foam ear plugs on the far side of the picture in order to lift the back plate off the table and make the flat portion sit flat.

There is a noticeable bend under the heat sink above the CPU.

If I hold it by the top left corner it flattens out, but does creak a bit...

http://s24.postimg.org/vujxqgobp/Back_Closeup.jpg
http://s24.postimg.org/htcjina5h/Top.jpg

Hopefully the images help...

Thanks again,

Paul

 

[Paul343]

Thanks all,

I decided to call and see what NCIX thought. They approved an RMA and are sending another - hopefully it is in better shape!

Support was very good, at least so far, but its not over yet...

Cheers,

Paul

 

[Rvenger]

My z87x UD4H was like that. Worked fine it's whole life.

 

[chimaxi83]

My old Asus Z68 Pro was also slightly warped, and was always flawless.

 

[OlyAR15]

I would have just installed it and see if it operated correctly. A warped board is usually a cosmetic issue that isn't even an issue since the screws are going to hold it inside the case and keep it flat. Unless the traces are damaged, which is unlikely unless the board itself is cracked, it will most likely run fine.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I don't think I ever encountered a motherboard that didn't have a little warp, with a couple exceptions: the high-end boards have thicker PCBs and tend to have less warp if any. Boards at the lower end are thinner and can be expected to show a little warp.

It's not a reason for an RMA unless you install to test and it doesn't work. The screws and mobo standoffs will straighten it out.

 

[Paul343]

Just to follow up in case some one else has the same question, the pictured bend in the MB did not cause any major issues.

The IO panel doesn't fit properly (it overlaps some of the ports due to the bend) as the board doesn't totally flatten when installed - so the IO panel is left out. That is the only problem.

The folks above were correct, the bend was cosmetic and a result of the manufacturing process (I think - the second board was the same as the first).

I called the store as I had never seen this before (been putting them together since my first 286...). Clearly there is a lot more experience here as I have only really built around 7 or 8 in total...

Anyway, it works and if you have the same issue my advice would be that which is found above.

Cheers.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

I don't think I ever had a motherboard that wasn't bent to some degree. Once you get it in the case the standoffs will straighten it out. Just don't force it to be straight.

Bingo!
I have had boards with major bends, when you mount them start towards the middle and work your way around in a circle so as not to put all the load on one spot.
I've had perfectly flat boards not work, never had an issue with a bent board though. I have wondered if it would boot up but boom, they fired right up. As stated above once its mounted inside your case you wont see it any more, and if its in there for a while should be gone when you remove it.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

Just to follow up in case some one else has the same question, the pictured bend in the MB did not cause any major issues.

The IO panel doesn't fit properly (it overlaps some of the ports due to the bend) as the board doesn't totally flatten when installed - so the IO panel is left out. That is the only problem.

The folks above were correct, the bend was cosmetic and a result of the manufacturing process (I think - the second board was the same as the first).

I called the store as I had never seen this before (been putting them together since my first 286...). Clearly there is a lot more experience here as I have only really built around 7 or 8 in total...

Anyway, it works and if you have the same issue my advice would be that which is found above.

Cheers.

I've got more then 7 or 8 boards in my house. Try installing 2000 slot machine's, talk about overwhelmed just a bit.......

 

[jeffnc]

It will probably work fine. The problem is, it is twisting/flexing some joints, and that's never a good thing. It could stress a joint or component to the point where it might fail a year from now. I'd get a new one. Personally I've never seen a board that warped. Now, I don't build a hundred computers a year either....