MSI Z370-A Pro / M.2 standoff does not fit the SSD properly? (w/Pics)

systemik

Honorable
Feb 28, 2018
7
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10,510
Installing a New 960 Evo M.2 NVMe onto a new MSI Z370-A Pro motherboard. The M.2 retention screw which came with the motherboard has a slot machined into the top end of it which looks like it is supposed to accept the indent on the outside end of the M.2, which aligns the SSD perpendicular to the mobo.

https://imgur.com/SIGkvcf

Unfortunately the slot in the SSD barely can fit into the screw slot (like either the slot on the screw was not machined deep enough, or the indent on the SSD is not large enough.

https://imgur.com/zoxWgU2

After talking with tech support at MSI, they told me not to use the slot on the screw at all, instead put the ssd under the entire shoulder of the screw. This seems horrible to me as this places the outside edge of the SSD directly against motherboard traces. Surely that slot on the screw was intended to space the SSD evenly away from any contact with the mobo right?

After a battle with a tech at MSI who insisted it was just fine for the SSD to contact the mobo i finally was able to get an offer of a free replacement screw (for the bargain price of $10.95 S&H).

Any thoughts? is it the standoff screw or the ssd indent which is not to spec? Is this tech correct in suggesting that it's no problem for the outside end of the ssd to rub against the mobo? This last pic shows how the MSI tech insisted was the proper way to install this drive. I call bullshit!

https://imgur.com/j5iA8Fp

Love to hear your thoughts on this, thanks!
 

Sedivy

Estimable
I'd say that not how it goes relative to where it sits on the screw, but their other end also looks oddly high placed. I've always seen it looking sort of like this
https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/samsung-960-pro-m-2-1tb-nvme-ssd-review,6.html
once mounted, meaning a lot more flush with the mobo on both ends but maybe their screw is just higher to compensate the other end. I'd recommend dremmel but I'm not sure if the screw is plated with anything, in which case scraping it off might be a bad idea.
 

systemik

Honorable
Feb 28, 2018
7
0
10,510
Yeah looks to me like the m.2 connector on this msi board stands a bit higher than the one shown in your pic, hence the taller standoff screw than the one in your pic. The M.2 connecter on the A-Pro is also taller hence why I also think the screw was not machined to a proper tolerance.Dremel i guess? Hell, all I asked them for is a new screw but the $10.99 just seems like a kick in the teeth from MSI...

Gonna dremel my way out of this but seriously MSI? Never again....