The fancy-looking ASUS RTX 3090 has a common problem, which often goes unnoticed but can kill the GPU components if not paid attention to.
NorthWestRepair Fixes Damaged PCB and SMD Components on ASUS Strix RTX 3090 Caused Due to Too Much Pressure Applied on the Shroud Screws
Sometimes a simple disassembly/assembly can cause complicated problems with PC components, and that's even difficult to spot when it's a GPU. The PCB traces and SMD components are easy to damage, resulting in shorting, which could potentially kill the GPU. That's why it's advised not to start any DIY process with these components unless you have a good experience.
A user tried to do the same, but what appeared to be a pretty simple process turned out to be a nightmare for this user. Popular hardware technician, NorthWestRepair, showcased such a damaged GPU as a result of the disassembly of the ASUS Strix GeForce RTX 3090. This particular edition has several screws on its shroud that are pretty close to the PCB of the card, which can sometimes damage the internal traces. Unknowingly, when the user tried to replace the thermal pads, he damaged the traces.
As shown by NorthWestRepair, the small "GeForce RTX" shroud on the side has two small screws that have their way towards the PCB traces. The user put too much pressure on the screws after the assembly and unknowingly damaged these traces, as shown in the video. This caused a short circuit and some damaged components, which were pretty difficult to fix even by our expert technician.
After so many attempts, NorthWestRepair managed to fix the card after replacing three driver MOSFETs on the VRM, a phase controller, and the card ran like before. Apart from changing these components, both PCB trace damages had to be fixed to ensure proper operation and fix the shorting issue. NorthWestRepair called these screws of "death" in the video title, as these are placed quite close to the PCB, and can easily go through it if enough pressure is applied.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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