Facing issues with a new motherboard, seeking some guidance would be helpful.
Facing issues with a new motherboard, seeking some guidance would be helpful.
I'm setting up a computer for my wife and ended up with a premium motherboard that supports extra storage devices like M.2 slots. We received the MSI MEGx670EACE along with an M.2 "Xpander" card. When I checked it, there seemed to be some liquid inside—either water or something similar—but the board was sealed in a bag, so it likely didn't come into contact with moisture. It feels cold to the touch, which might just be condensation from the drive. Should I worry? Testing it would be a good idea. Have others experienced this problem, and if so, did you need to replace the whole board or just a specific component? I've attached some photos for reference.
It seems more like flux or silicon oil than water. Neither of these substances are harmful to PCBs, which is where they're meant to be used. It's unusual they appear there—silicon oil typically comes from thermal pads, and flux is usually only present if hand soldering was done, neither of which should be on a card like this. The only sure way is to test it directly.
Check anyone interested—Fixit has comparable pictures on their page, calling it corrosion. It’s typically linked to condensation when moving from a warmer area like Phoenix to a much cooler place, such as the mountains with snow. Most people agree it’s mostly isoprobal alcohol, a soft cloth or toothbrush, and a bit of effort. I plan to try this soon and will notify you if anything goes wrong.