Is it safe to remove the backplate from this graphics card?

[fchung0712]

I have been looking into the:
EVGA GeForce GTX 960 4GB Super SC
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00UOYQ5LA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3IZCUUQ2618KS&coliid=I2LBOL3WMQF5BK&psc=1
however, the motherboard I am looking at which is the Supermicro X8DTL-I
Does not have much room between the RAM slot and the PCI-E x16 slot
as seen in this image:
http://postimg.org/image/ca86jmykz/
I was advised not to choose a graphics card with a backplate, in case it does interfere with the RAM, however, this machine is going to be rendering, and it needs a fairly powerful GPU as well.
I would be willing to give up a ram slot, IF it is absolutely necessary

 

[ak47jar3d]

Usually, the backplate is in place for aesthetic purposes, so its safe to remove. It shouldn't be all that hard and I would reapply thermal paste to gpu when reinserting heatsink.

 

[cirdecus]

The motherboard is at least 2 years old and is a Xeon Server board. I'm not sure if this is a good paring with the consumer 960 card. What is the application of the system you are building?

I doubt the backplate would interfere, but I also think the board and hardware isn't really meant to be paired with a video gamers 960 graphics card

 

[fchung0712]

Yup, this board is old, however, I am using this for 3D rendering with dual Xeons, and I am on a budget, which limits my options for CPUs.
What would you suggest as a graphics card for rendering (Only one requirement. It has to be nVidia, because the software only supports nVidia), and light gaming?
I have never built a rendering machine before, although I have heard that AMD produces pretty good workstation grade graphics, but I am uncertain about nVidia.
EDIT*
ohhhh, I see now, the Quadro series is what I am looking for! I have never looked into this series before! But anyway, which card should I choose? These are so expensive!

 

[fchung0712]

Usually, the backplate is in place for aesthetic purposes, so its safe to remove. It shouldn't be all that hard and I would reapply thermal paste to gpu when reinserting heatsink.

Thanks for the advice! I'll see if I choose this graphics card, and if necessary I'll remove the backplate

 

[Sensei Gamer]

I don't know if you should get the Quadro, Because they are so expensive and they don't perform well on gaming, It depends though on what games you are going to play. For the 3D Rendering task, the Quadro will be far more superior than the gaming cards. I would recommend on going to the GTX 970. It is awesome in gaming, efficient and it is of course more powerful than the GTX 960 powerful and also good at rendering. I don't think that a GTX 960 would be the sweet spot for 3D rendering, but it will work just fine. The GTX 970 is priced at around $340 for the EVGA brand which makes it around $120 more expensive than the GTX 960. A "Gamers" graphic card would work just fine with your system and backplates in some cards do help in dissipating heat from the back of the card and let the case fan's airflow cool the backplate, Some others though is just for the looks. I tried removing the backplate from my GTX 960 Zotac and it raised the temp by around 4-5 degrees It is safe to remove your backplate. Good luck in choosing your card, Have a nice day everyone!

 

[fchung0712]

Thanks so much!
I suppose I could put some more money into the GPU, so I'll go with the GTX 970.
If the backplate lowers the temperature by that much/little, I think removing it should be perfectly fine, if necessary

 

[Sensei Gamer]

Thanks so much!
I suppose I could put some more money into the GPU, so I'll go with the GTX 970.
If the backplate lowers the temperature by that much/little, I think removing it should be perfectly fine, if necessary

You're welcome! Happy rendering!