can you wear out AGP/PCI slots?

[stabber]

I've removed my video card probably a total of 10 times since I've had my new motherboard. Can I wear out the AGP slot or damage it in any way? Does doing that have any adverse affect on it's life?

[SewerBeing]

I dont think that removing your card often will damage the slot, just be careful when doing so.

[KaHNZa]

The only thing that might happen is the connectors that touch the contacts on the card may lose some springiness. But probably only after 1000 reinsertions. ;)

[cozmo_d]

i recomend that you send me your mobo & vid card so I may inspect them for you Sir ;) :p

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by KaHNZa
The only thing that might happen is the connectors that touch the contacts on the card may lose some springiness. But probably only after 1000 reinsertions. ;)

They're not *particularly* "springy" connections; they're basically just gold-plated contact plates that slide up against each other. It's rather like an old cartridge-based video game console, and will *eventually* suffer the same fate as the contacts get scraped up and corroded (RIP, NES).

However, this would take, as reported, hundreds if not thousands of insertion/removal cycles.

[Chaser]

lol i burned out an agp slot, messed up my good ole geforce 2 gts, i loved that card :(

[stabber]

Originally posted by Chaser
lol i burned out an agp slot, messed up my good ole geforce 2 gts, i loved that card :(

How did you know it was burned?


Seems like the general consensus is:

if you dont smell anything, nothing is burned

[rxc]

You should be fine unless you're some weirdo who likes inserting agp cards ;)

[mcoleg]

you should be fine unless there's some sort of defect in agp/pci slots. i have an old abit BH6 m/b. changed cards in it countless times - it's still humming away like no one's business :)

[macklin01]

Like any mechanical interface, it can fail after extended wear and tear. However, as has been pointed out above, you'd have to reinsert the card many times to see this happen. That said, a slammed door doesn't last as long as one that's gently closed.

-- Paul

[stool]

They can and do wear out, and not necessarily after many insertions. An easy remedy to alleviate the problem is to put some dielectric grease into the socket. It will retain its conductivity, and the grease will snug up the fit.

[mcoleg]

hmm, that's interesting, stool

what sort of dielectric grease would work best?

[macklin01]

Actually, IIRC, dielectric grease is non-conductive (which is good, since you don't want to short the individual traces on the card), helps to lubricate the slot, and is easily displaced where needed when the card is inserted to allow the necessary metal-metal contact. Also helps resist oxidation, for better electrical contact.

Darn, kinda' makes me wanna' put some in the ATX power headers! -- Paul

[mcoleg]

so, just spray wd-40 in it? (no don't do it, j/k)

i am thinking - won't it collect dust like crazy?

[macklin01]

Hmm, that's a good question. stool? :) -- Paul

[mcoleg]

i'll tell you right now - it would. unless you don't move any air inside the case...