MSI motherboard CMOS battery obsolescence: Difference between revisions

Recent [[MSI]] motherboards have moved on from easily accessible clip-mount holders for their CMOS batteries. Instead, MSI has begun shipping board designs where the CMOS battery is hidden behind the {{Wplink|voltage regulator module}} (VRM) heatsink assembly<ref name=":3">[[:File:CSWiki MSIZ890Assembled Labeled.png]]</ref><ref>[[:File:CSWiki-MainboardBatteryMSI.png]]</ref>, and is affixed to the mainboard via a lead, and mounted with adhesives and shrink-wrap plastic.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=benjy124302a4 |date=2022-04-15 |title=MSI Pro B660M-A CMOS battery location? |url=https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302095843/https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-pro-b660m-a-cmos-battery-location.374514/ |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global English Forum}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-29 |title=Where is the location of CMOS battery on this motherboard? |url=https://www.msi.com/faq/9918 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=MSI Global}}</ref>  This substantially complicates servicing/repair of devices that are assembled using mainboards that have this layout.  For more than 40 years CMOS batteries have been standard CR2032<ref name=":2" /> batteries that are available, cheaply, at any store, and mounted in an accessible location. This new board design means testing the battery now necessitates a full device disassembly, and replacing it requires a specific replacement part, with a specific plug interface, or the type of equipment that only a professional repair shop would have. This pointlessly adds more consumer cost and increases the likelihood of an entirely functional devices being disposed of due to the failure of a simple standardized battery.  

MSI Mainboard (2025-2026 Models, MEG & MPG Product lines) CMOS CR2032 batteries are no longer contained within a standard easily accessible clip-mount holder. Instead the CMOS battery is hidden beneath the VRM heatsink assembly, and is affixed to the mainboard via a lead, and mounted with adhesives and shrink-wrap plastic.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Some of the lower-end tier models of MSI motherboard still have a clip-mount, but it is blocked by heatsinks (that are not part of the VRM assembly). All current models (2025-2026) of motherboard have a line of text in the user manual that states the following:

This statement is false. The battery is a standard CR2032 battery. It is not rechargeable, or unique, and is replaceable, with some extended [[MSI Motherboard CMOS Battery Obsolescence#Workarounds|effort]].

Due to this misleading language in the manual and obfuscated location of the battery, it is a blatant attempt to lead consumers to believe that the mainboard is obsolete when the battery dies. Circumventing this requires service from an experienced technician, leading to more device turnover. CMOS battery removal has always simply required pressing a clearly marked tab and removing the old battery out of the standardized component clip slot on the face of the motherboard, and, if needed, putting a replacement one in its place. There is no reason to have changed this.

In addition to inconvenience and obfuscation, there is the potential that the location of the battery near the high temperature heatsink may shorten the lifespan of the cell. The operating temperature of a CR2032 coin cell is typically -30°C to 85°C, it's recommended to consult the manufacturer should the temperature exceeds 70°C<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-01 |title=CR2032 CR Coin-type Lithium Battery |url=https://energy.panasonic.com/dam/master/pdf/en/datasheet/lithium/CR2032_Datasheet_EN_240701.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302101209/https://energy.panasonic.com/dam/master/pdf/en/datasheet/lithium/CR2032_Datasheet_EN_240701.pdf |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=Panasonic Energy}}</ref>. VRMs typically run at higher temperatures typically around 80°C to 90°C, with safe operating temperature exceeding 100°C<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/jayyywhattt |date=2022-01-07 |title=Motherboard, vrm temperatures |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/overclocking/comments/ry9cdc/motherboard_vrm_temperatures/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260302101503/https://old.reddit.com/r/overclocking/comments/ry9cdc/motherboard_vrm_temperatures/ |archive-date=2026-03-02 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.