X99 WS/IPMI VRM component fell off

Hardware Hub Motherboards
1

Hi all!

I built a server from used parts today.
Asus X99 WS/IPMI board, e5 v4 16 core Xeon, 128GB DDR4 ECC, and some old gpu.

When stress testing the CPU after the initial assembly, I was hearing a coil whine-like sound, and saw that VRM temps were high, but thought nothing of it.

After moving the machine around a bit to install some drives, I noticed something rattling in the case. Turns out was some broken off component of the power delivery system, with the part number “R15A1633”. There seem to be seven other ones near the CPU, and I found the place from which it disconnected (all in the attached pics).

Surprisingly, the machine still boots, and works fine during a stress test. In fact, VRM temps appear to be lower than when the component was attached, and the coil whine-like sound has also disappeared.

Can someone tell me what the disconnected component was responsible for? Is it dangerous to run the machine long term without it? What are my options for repairs?

IMG_6385
IMG_63853024×4032 2.95 MB

IMG_6386
IMG_63863024×4032 2.34 MB

IMG_6387
IMG_63873024×4032 2.91 MB

IMG_6388
IMG_63884284×5712 4.96 MB

IMG_6389
IMG_63895712×4284 7.37 MB

2

Welcome!

The component that fell off was one of the inductors for the power stages that feed the CPU voltage. It would appear this model of motherboard is an 8 phase design; running on one fewer stage likely won’t cause a problem unless the CPU is very heavily loaded (and overclocked+overvolted). The CPU will also likely see an elevated ripple during operation.

It has unfortunately become more common to have bad/cold solder joints on higher thermal mass components like inductors since the the nanny-state laws banning leaded solder kicked in.
There’s a reason militaries and space organizations ignore the environmental laws when they need their equipment to work.