MP 1,1-5,1 Graphics Card stuck in Mac Pro 5,1

[AngelThMan]

I was trying to replace the graphics card on my 2009 mac pro 5,1 desktop. The new graphics card is an MSI RX 580 8gb, which is supposed to fit. I couldn't get it to fit into the slot, and even worse, while trying it got stuck on the motherboard. I can't get it out. As you can see from the brackets on the right in the photo below, it's not lined properly and the card is not installed in the slot. But it's stuck. I can't get it out.

Any help on how to remove and install would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[KeesMacPro]

There's a button on the gray PCI fan ; you have to press it and move the whole fan to the left to get access to the PCI cards and GPU.
After installing slide the fan back to the right.

 

[sfalatko]

I was trying to replace the graphics card on my 2009 mac pro 5,1 desktop. The new graphics card is an MSI RX 580 8gb, which is supposed to fit. I couldn't get it to fit into the slot, and even worse, while trying it got stuck on the motherboard. I can't get it out. As you can see from the brackets on the right in the photo below, it's not lined properly and the card is not installed in the slot. But it's stuck. I can't get it out.

Any help on how to remove and install would be appreciated. Thanks.

Dumb question but are you moving the metal "bar" to the left? The graphics card clips on this....

 

[KeesMacPro]

Dumb question but are you moving the metal "bar" to the left? The graphics card clips on this....

Take a closer look at the picture post #1

 

[Macschrauber]

This is no shame, I also stepped on this trap years ago when I got my first 5,1

there should be some notice on the PCI Fan button.

 

[AngelThMan]

There's a button on the gray PCI fan ; you have to press it and move the whole fan to the left to get access to the PCI cards and GPU.
After installing slide the fan back to the right.

You're a life saver. That worked like a charm, both removing the card and installing it properly. Weirdly, there are several tutorials on YouTube on how to replace the GPU, and none mention this important grey button. I nearly broke my computer trying to fit it in. Thanks for your help!

 

[KeesMacPro]

You're very welcome, glad to be of some help!

If you'd like to read more about maintenance, troubleshooting , disassembling here's the Technician Guide:

https://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/macpro/macpro_early2009.pdf

 

[Petri Krohn]

Mac Pro 1,1 to 3,1 models have a plastic tab at the end of the PCIe connector that prevents the removal of the card. It might not have been an issue with the short single-slot cards that originally shipped with the Macs. But it is impossible to access if the Mac Pro has multiple long or double-width cards.

I simply removed the tab.