Maximum PC

Well I didnt know where to post this, so hopefully this is the right place. I recently started a new build based around an Intel I7 2600k processor. Due to my financial situation I've been buying parts slowly before putting them all together. I bought an Asus p8p67 deluxe mobo right before maxpc did an article on the z68 chipset and started my build, installing the chip, heatsink & ram. However, after reading about the z68 I decided to get the p8z68 deluxe in place of my p8p67. So it came today via newegg and I opened it up and started to tear down my box to put the chip in the new mobo. Here's my question for those here: upon opening the new mobo I noticed that one of the ram tabs was open. Not only that but all the tabs seem to have a small smudge of dirt on them. I dont know what it is though. Also one of the case fan connectors was bent. I easily bent it back, but it left me wondering what was up with the board. After some hesitation, I finally took the cpu off the p67 & placed it in the z68 & wiped it off with alcohol to prep it up for redoing the heatsink when I turned the board over. On the back, near the bottom (near the power hookups) the board was sticky in a few places, as if something had spilled on it. I'm now wondering if I screwed everything up. It may be a month before I get my ssd's in to get it fired up. Am I worried about nothing? I'm wondering if I didnt get a remanufactured board. How many times can a chip be taken on & off a mobo before not working? Or is that a stupid question?

Thanks whomever takes a shot at answering this...

I would contact where you bought the motherboard and let them know all the 'problems' you found. I would then ask for an RMA replacement.

Dirt on mobo parts, bent fan header pins, and sticky substance on mobo? Ya i'd get a hold of them for a replacement before investing your parts into it. Who the hell sends out a dirty,damaged and sticky mobo without quality inspection finding at least on of those flaws.

definitely not a stupid question.

per Intel, the 1155 socket must be able to withstand insertion/withdraw cycles at least 20 times. realistically it should be much more though.

as for the mobo.. bent headers, dirt? i would RMA it.

Did you buy "open box" or brand new?

Nasty

Thankyou for the replies! I wondered about being able to take the chip off the mobo when I took it off and noticed the tiny pricks the pins left in it. Good to know its made to be reused. Called newegg to get an RMA this morning. I bought this new, and haven't ever had something like this from the egg. Fortunately the whole RMA process is very easy & they didn't argue about the issues I raised. Waiting for my next paycheck to order up 2 Kingston Hyperx's 240g for a raid array..

I imagine I'll be visiting the forum even more when I get all this going.

Keep us informed as to how things worked out for you.

Nasty