Will removing my faceplate hurt GPU

[Trixxter13]

So one of my friends bought a computer for cheap from a store and I put in a new psu and gpu (R9 380). The problem is the gpu wouldn't fit because for whatever reason the pins for the power switch were on the right hand side of the mobo instead of the bottom. However I found if I remove the metal bracket on the gpu it fits perfectly. It doesn't look like it really adds much in terms of airflow. I ran Heaven benchmark for 5-10 minutes with a custom fan curve on afterburner and it never got over 65C and never got abovery 65% fan speed. Is there any reason I should worry about this?

 

[cst1992]

You mean the backplate on the GPU?

It is not recommended that users remove that plate if the card comes installed with it. However, now that you've removed it, if all things remain normal, don't worry about it. However, make sure nothing metal touches the GPUs back PCB, or you could short out something resulting in a dead GPU.

 

[Trixxter13]

You mean the backplate on the GPU?

It is not recommended that users remove that plate if the card comes installed with it. However, now that you've removed it, if all things remain normal, don't worry about it. However, make sure nothing metal touches the GPUs back PCB, or you could short out something resulting in a dead GPU.

possibly? its the metal part that goes on around the fans. it only goes around the outside so I don't see how it could affect airflow by much. if I can ask why is it not recommended?

 

[cst1992]

I am talking about this plate:

On a card, it looks like this:

 

[cst1992]

You are probably talking about the front shroud of the GPU(the front cover). Here's the Titan X without one:

You'll have a drop in cooling performance as the shroud directs air over the heatsinks. It's not damaging as long as the temps stay normal.