Graphics card holders are a disaster waiting to happen

[Piwow]

Given the crazy weight of the radiators needed to cool the top-of-the-range RTXs with a weight approaching 3kgs, this inevitably and rapidly leads to GPU sag and PCB cracks. The problem is that this applies - less quickly but surely - to all older models 3070, 3080, 4070, 4080 and of course 4090... (A quick internet search speaks for itself)... I'm sure that the most cautious already have their GPU installed vertically, but for the others who believe that the holder solves a problem, it's not the case. On the contrary, it creates a central torsion likely to loosen the GPU's solder joints like showed on this video :

How can AIBs still present this as a solution?

 

[io-waiter]

Use two holders on the long edge?
Didn’t watch the video since to be honest this smells like link dropping (sorry if not).

 

[Hyderz]

it’s the combination of weight and length that is the problem, gpus are now clocked so high and they run much hotter compared to gpus 10 years ago…. Don’t wanna think when gpus hit 4ghz mark and the coolers required for it

 

[lambda]

Higher end models, 70 series and above, should come with a waterblock or AIO type solution.

I'm quite tried of these stupidly sized cards and all the bullshit that comes with it.

 

[Shihab]

Too lazy to watch a video (I miss the times before youtube), but, eh?
GPU's aren't that long to cause that significant a deflection. Moreover, the effective span as far as GPU solder joints are concerned is not the whole span, but rather limited by the heatsink mounts on the pcb that surround the gpu. These mounts effectively act as deflection bracing, by virtue of the HSF having a much higher second moment of inertia.

</thinking out loud>

 

[io-waiter]

I did not see any way that a meaningful deflection would occur, and I have issues with the sensationalistic headlines (sorry) approach of most youtube videos, and it’s a solvable issue if it was an issue

Use two supports and you have a cross brace: slot, case, support1, support2, that will take any load. Also solder joints if properly done are strong.

 

[Chrispy_]

I'm no fan of massive, heavy, power-hungry cards.

The largest I've ever encountered in a build was a 7900XTX Nitro+ which was damn-near 4-slots and used the whole length of the case.

It was a commission that was picked up in person and I made it very clear that the case shouldn't be transported with the GPU installed. I didn't weight it but it felt like a couple of kilos at least. The GPU came with a large L-shaped support bracket that seeemingly did nothing because it was already a triple-slot card with a wide anchor point at the slot covers. I bolted some adjustable posts through the vented PSU shroud and made sure they were in the middle of the unsupported area, not the end of the card:

 

[Veseleil]

Cool story bro™.

 

[tugrul_LordOfDrinks]

I use cards vertical. Dont care if gpu releases a paste.

 

[Zazigalka]

I prefer to buy cards around 200w tdp, with a simple cooling solution. No trouble with sagging, easier to install or take out, and cheaper.

 

[freeagent]

I think back to my GTX 580 Matrix Platinum and giggle. That thing was straight as an arrow when not in a case, put in a case and the sag looks mint. My 4070Ti came with a support, not sure why.. it is a small and light card. I use the support on my 3070Ti since it has some beef to it. I do have my 4070Ti supported with the built in unit from my case.. but it barely reaches and it looks funny.. but whatever.

I think the lead free solder, and silent, hotbox type builds are the cause of bad joints.

 

[Jacky_BEL]

The key is for graphics manufacturers to bring stiffness in the cooling solution by adding intermediate reinforcements and a good backplate.
The newer nvidia FE cards do this by way of "wrapping" a metal support frame around the card which also give it a nice aesthetic in my opinion.
The cooler should be properly supported so it doesn't deform, allowing for the PCB which doesn't weigh al that much to just hang on to it.

Critical part to look at is that the PCB card edge and PCI-e slot do not take much of the load.
In that sense a vertical mount can take considerably more of the weight than a horizontal mount.
Ideally the slot is just the electrical and not mechanical connection for a heavy horizonal mounted graphics card.

 

[lambda]

I'm no fan of massive, heavy, power-hungry cards.

The largest I've ever encountered in a build was a 7900XTX Nitro+ which was damn-near 4-slots and used the whole length of the case.

It was a commission that was picked up in person and I made it very clear that the case shouldn't be transported with the GPU installed. I didn't weight it but it felt like a couple of kilos at least. The GPU came with a large L-shaped support bracket that seeemingly did nothing because it was already a triple-slot card with a wide anchor point at the slot covers. I bolted some adjustable posts through the vented PSU shroud and made sure they were in the middle of the unsupported area, not the end of the card:

View attachment 397865

I have the similarly sized Asus Tuf 7900XT, 3.63 slots.

While I do like the fact that it runs at 65C in Furmark, I'm not a fan of the size of this behemoth.

 

[freeagent]

The PCB on the cards are tiny. It looks like the power is in the middle of the card, but its at the end of the PCB lol. The cooler itself is what is big and chonky, if you bought that type of card.

 

[arni-gx]

Given the crazy weight of the radiators needed to cool the top-of-the-range RTXs with a weight approaching 3kgs, this inevitably and rapidly leads to GPU sag and PCB cracks. The problem is that this applies - less quickly but surely - to all older models 3070, 3080, 4070, 4080 and of course 4090... (A quick internet search speaks for itself)... I'm sure that the most cautious already have their GPU installed vertically, but for the others who believe that the holder solves a problem, it's not the case. On the contrary, it creates a central torsion likely to loosen the GPU's solder joints like showed on this video :

How can AIBs still present this as a solution?

1. GPU supports are fine. People using them incorrectly is the issue.

2. The GPU should REST on the GPU support, the support should NOT be pushing up against the pci slot the other way in any way. Also as others have said you should try and put the GPU support in the middle of the GPU if you can.

3. This is incorrect use of GPU support, blame the user not the tool.


IMO, that video is BS !

 

[eidairaman1]

Also not having the motherboard aligned properly in the case causes the gpu to not mount in the pci bracket correctly or seat in mobo properly.