Backplate necessary? - do GPUs bend somewhat easily or what?

[Henrik Jensen DK]

I'm reading a review of the MSI GTX 780 where it says as a negative that the card has no backplate.

I'm wondering if this will be a big problem? Do such long cards bend somewhat easily?

I certainly don't want to spend $$$ on a graphics card and then see it bend/getting damaged

Thanks!

 

[yanis31]

it's more of a bling thing in the expensive card sector more than anything else, sure it's nice but i doubt it's necessary
i believe the card has a metal "sideplate" if you can call it that that should prevent it from bending (it's the main purpose of it)

 

[Memhorder]

It's not just your GPU you can damage. Depending how heavy which mine is. You may damage the Motherboard slot too.

 

[Memhorder]

Wait! I'm thinking the plate that hold the card onto the case. If it's just the pretty looking plate around the fans well. I suppose that would be ok. Your' card won't moving around a lot unless your moving the PC around a lot.

 

[Memhorder]

I'm not sure if any test were done, but I'd assume that plate was for directing air. Not sure if it affects temps for the good or bad

 

[Kekoh]

Backplate shouldn't be necessary for any high end card. The purpose of the backplate is really to improve appearance, and I guess slightly reduce temps (1-3C).

 

[maddogfargo]

Purpose of backplate is to prevent card warping. This is an issue where high cooler weight and heat come into play. Not all cards need them.

A warped card can cause the cooler mount to loosen, possibly even get a gap between the cooler and GPU die. This will destroy your GPU.

If the card you're looking at isn't very long then warping is not a major issue.

 

[Henrik Jensen DK]

Thanks everybody

 

[Memhorder]

Purpose of backplate is to prevent card warping. This is an issue where high cooler weight and heat come into play. Not all cards need them.

A warped card can cause the cooler mount to loosen, possibly even get a gap between the cooler and GPU die. This will destroy your GPU.

If the card you're looking at isn't very long then warping is not a major issue.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense. I haven't considered the fact that heat with expand and contract everything. Good point!

 

[yanis31]

either way .. there's still the metal on the side which does something similar... maybe just not as effective but maybe it's just as good...