TRX40 Socket Woes - 1st Screw Doesn't Reach

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I have been advised that my 1st post was exceedingly long, and will probably alienate some potential readers. So I am taking one facet of that post and regurgitating it here, in hopes it might gain more attention from folks who might have first-hand experience.

I recently purchased a Gigabyte TRX40 Aorus Xtreme Motherboard to go with an equally-new AMD Threadripper 3960x. I read through the applicable parts of the MB’s User Manual, and explored the Internet (forums and videos) for information about the procedure, so that I was completely familiar with the procedure.

I tried assembling these devices a few days ago.

The first thing I noticed when I started the assembly was that there was no cover over the pins after I released the CPU Load Plate on the motherboard (User Manual Page 15, Step #7). Okay, some reviews had said that that cover was missing, but to my dismay, I also noticed a slight “blemish” on the pins in the top-right quadrant of the socket. I was now WORRIED!!! Had this board been tried/returned before?!

The second thing that happened was that after inserting the orange carrier frame into the rails, and closing down the Load Plate, I could NOT get Screw #1 to catch. After about 15 minutes of trying, I googled that issue, and found out that it has been an issue for several years now. Unfortunately, I can find no mention of it STILL happening with the sTRX4 Socket, so my earlier searches for TRX40 Installation guides did not turn it up.

I tried starting the other screws first (they worked okay), but doing so did not make Screw #1 able to reach. I tried different angles, different positioning of the Load Plate, and triple-checked that the orange carrier frame was indeed within the guide rails of the rail frame.

I eventually put the dummy protective plastic cover back into the slot, and found that Screw #1 (and all of them) went in fine. But retrying with the CPU-laden Orange Carrier Frame, however, left me in the same unsuccessful position. I was now getting a bit frantic.

Anyway, finally, after applying an uncomfortable amount of pressure, I managed to get the cover down and the screws secured until the wrench clicked.

But I was left with an assembly that would not boot, presenting me with a “D0” Debug Code.

I cannot find any mention of this problem happening to TRX40 installations. I see several mentions, going back at least two years, for other Threadripper generations (x399 in particular).

https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?95479-Help!-Screw-1-will-not-thread-no-matter-what-I-do/page3

https://community.amd.com/thread/219286

… and many more.

I have since returned that MB to Amazon, and am awaiting its replacement.

I am wondering at this point just how prevalent this issue is with the TRX40 boards. Has anyone here had a similar experience? If so, how did you go about solving the problem? Hopefully, someone might have some pointers that will make my next attempt more successful.

Thank you so much for reading,
-pvs

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I can’t help but I wanted you to know someone read your whole post. I have a AsRock X399 Professional Gaming and have used a 1920x and now a 1950x. I’ve used a couple of different coolers including a AiO Corsair cooler that didn’t really fit but close enough that the screws could just angle into the threads (not recommended). The only time I experienced anything close to what you’re describing is when I had misaligned the CPU bracket thingie. I backed out, realigned, and no more problem. Given the substantial expense of the sTRX boards and the effort AMD is putting into the platform, I would certainly hope that you just got a bum board that was returned by somebody and falsely sold as new. I wish you luck and good computing.
Chris

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Thanks so much, Chris! That was nice of you to get through all of that. I’m kinda wondering if it’s the orange plastic carrier frame. The #1 screw would simply NOT engage. Trying the method to turn the screw backwards until you lined-up the beginning of the threads would not work, as the screw was sitting above it’s hole.

And when I removed it to reseat the CPU, the whole assembly went together much easier … so MAYBE having tightened the plate down squeezed some of the plastic carrier frame into shape.

I am SO HOPING my replacement board, and it’s assembly, goes smoothly.

Thanks so much, also, for the good luck wishes!
-pvs

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I didn’t have a problem with the load plate screws, but I had a problem with heatsink screws. I bought a heatkiller IV and it came with brass screws. In my excitement I cross threaded one of them. Messed up the threads on the brass screw and embedded brass in the heatsink threads on the motherboard. I spent hours repairing the screw and the threads in the motherboard so it would work. I ended up using a file and a pick since it’s an uncommon thread.

There are other people on here that have used the aorus exteme so if that was a super common problem there would probably be more info about it. Your replacement will probably be fine.

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Hi @ChuckH. Are you referring to the CPU Cooler hold-downs? Or the Heat Sinks over the NVMe drives? From my initial Google, it looks like the HeatKiller IV is a CPU cooler for Intel CPUs.

Anyway, OUCH! That sounds like something that would have put me into frenzy-mode. Luckily, I did not have an issue with mounting my Noctua cooler (dismounting was a bit tricky, but that’s a different thread :wink: ).

Anyway, thank you for the assurance that my next board will be better. It’s always nice to hear good news!

Best always,
-pvs

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The cpu cooler hold down screws. The heatkiller IV is a cpu waterblock. I’m not sure how the noctua screws down but the heatkiller doesnt use the factory screws, it uses custom shoulder screws made from nickel plated brass.

I was cursing myself for hurrying and screwing it up but determined to make it work if I could. The hardest part was cleaning the threads out in the motherboard. Since AMD chose to use an odd thread size I didn’t have a tap for it so I ended up using a smaller diameter tap with similar thread pitch, a pick, and the steel screws the cpu came with to get it cleared of the brass. Then cleaning the motherboard of the little brass filings… most trouble I’ve had installing a heatsink!

Watching those videos I don’t remember having that bad of issues. I didn’t completely torque one screw before moving on. I got each started (in order) then tightened them 1/4 to 1/2 turn at a time in order trying to keep pressure even as I went.

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Good gosh, Chuck! What a nightmare! I could not imagine needing to tap new threads into a new motherboard! You must have been filled with anxiety.

As for those vids … I assure you my experience was just as frustrating. I was looking for something that was “in the way”. I tried moving the lock plate at every angle of play it had. I was examining the gap with a flashlight and magnifying glass. Rechecking that the orange carrier was within the rails.

And yes, once I DID get the screws started, I brought them all down a bit at a time. I kinda ALWAYS do that, remembering from Dad, decades ago, starting with replacing tires on cars.

Anyway, thank you for sharing your OMG moment! I am happy it worked out for you in the end.

In the meantime … my Benq was just delivered. Just awaiting the replacement MB on Wednesday now.

Gulp!
-pvs

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WooHOOOO! I just wanted to write back in to the forum and let you all know that my replacement board was delivered yesterday, and the installation of the CPU, Cooler, RAM, 3 NVME’s and Video Card were a complete success!

Thank you all for the supportive encouragement. I have to admit I was feeling a bit defeated after my first experience. But everyone here (and also a few at the Gigabyte Forum) gave me hope that the 1st board I received was a rare (probably prior return) anomaly.

It was exciting to see my new equipment firing up.

Now … on to learn about everything this modern tech gives me to play with. I will probably finish up some initial config and then start to assemble it into the case today.

My sincere thanks to everybody who replied to my various threads! It definitely helped to know I had some experts who were willing to offer their guidance.

-pvs

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