should i cover unused HDMI or DP ports with their covers?

[GladiatoR]

my graphic card came with four covers for its ports 3 of them DP and one HDMI so i will use only one port of them ...
Should i cover the remaining ports with theses stock covers or they may cause damage if the card got hot during playing?
thanks alot..

 

[P4-630]

I only use 1 DisplayPort, all other ports covered, no issues.

Covers are nice to have because you can get dust in it otherwise...

 

[freeagent]

All of my GPUs came with covers except my 3070ti

 

[GladiatoR]

I only use 1 DisplayPort, all other ports covered, no issues.

Covers are nice to have because you can get dust in it otherwise...

thank you bro but i'm using my graphic card for about 4 monthes without the covers ,Should i use my blower to remove any dust before puting the covers or just put it to protect from further dusts in future?

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

All my covers ran off four years ago, no harm done so far though I will keep them in next time tbh.

 

[AusWolf]

I personally, keep the covers in to prevent dust buildup, but it's really up to you. I also use USB covers on the unused front (or rather, top) panel ports of my case.

 

[P4-630]

Should i use my blower to remove any dust before puting the covers

You can , after that put the covers on the unused ports.

 

[xtreemchaos]

yes, if I have them No if i didn't, it's not a worry when i haven't had them I've never seen them get full of dust with positive pressure in the case and from the card "if air cooled" it sorta dusts them self's.

 

[GladiatoR]

You can , after that put the covers on the unused ports.

alright...thanks

thanks for you all...i appreciate your co-operaton...

 

[ARF]

my graphic card came with four covers for its ports 3 of them DP and one HDMI so i will use only one port of them ...
Should i cover the remaining ports with theses stock covers or they may cause damage if the card got hot during playing?
thanks alot..

Case 1: don't use them and there is a potential of dirt/dust;
Case 2: use them but the plastic might melt because of high exhaust temperature.

I guess melting is a low probability, so of course, just keep them on as the card comes.

 

[dirtyferret]

thank you bro but i'm using my graphic card for about 4 monthes without the covers ,Should i use my blower to remove any dust before puting the covers or just put it to protect from further dusts in future?

Ive used numerous video cards for years without the covers on them, you are over thinking a non problem.

I also use USB covers on the unused front (or rather, top) panel ports of my case.

You have to, letting USB ports remained uncovered lets the terrorist win!

 

[ARF]

I would keep them on because if one day I decide to sell the card, it will look better in the buyer eyes.

 

[AusWolf]

You have to, letting USB ports remained uncovered lets the terrorist win!

Maybe not that, but they definitely collect dust as they're literally on the top of the case.

 

[ThrashZone]

my graphic card came with four covers for its ports 3 of them DP and one HDMI so i will use only one port of them ...
Should i cover the remaining ports with theses stock covers or they may cause damage if the card got hot during playing?
thanks alot..

Hi,
Sure if you have them
Dust doesn't hurt the ports it's easy to blow out during normal clean
The most helpful reason to use them is if you're in a damp salty or high humidity region they would help to keep the ports dry and never have to worry about corrosion well almost never

I've seen just dpi/ hdmi cables "cheap gold plated" look like the ends were degrading/ corroding so it is possible being in Texas and all where it is very humid.

 

[Vario]

They don't really do anything, either on there or off.

 

[P4-630]

They don't really do anything, either on there or off.

They do prevent getting dust in your ports...

 

[sLowEnd]

I don't cover them, but I do keep the covers in the box in case I find some use for them later. Common levels of dust is inconsequential and very easy to clean off if you do happen to need to do that.

 

[Blue4130]

Case 1: don't use them and there is a potential of dirt/dust;
Case 2: use them but the plastic might melt because of high exhaust temperature.

I guess melting is a low probability, so of course, just keep them on as the card comes.

Melt? Not a chance unless your card is on fire. A GPU gets nowhere near hot enough to melt plastic/rubber.

 

[hat]

Melt? Not a chance unless your card is on fire. A GPU gets nowhere near hot enough to melt plastic/rubber.

Sounds like 4090 owners might want to steer clear of the covers then.

 

[Blue4130]

Sounds like 4090 owners might want to steer clear of the covers then.

Touche. Well played sir. Well played.

 

[lZKoce]

Can't remember when manufacturer's introduced this protection, but GPUs worked fine before too . I keep mine on all the time. I have seen why you might need them. At my last work place we had to disinfect our laptops every day on a schedule. Some of the workers sprayed the isopropyl alcohol or whatever generously. I can't tell you how fast USB-ports started to fail.

To sum up, for home use, on or off, I don't think it makes a big difference. If you have pets/ PC is in the wood workshop or highly dust-prone environment I would keep them on. Stuff simply gets inside.

 

[qubit]

I never cover them up and run my graphics cards for years like that with no problems. It doesn't hurt to leave the covers in though and if you're in an especially dusty environment then it's probably a good idea to use them.

 

[Chomiq]

They do prevent getting dust in your ports...

My room has enough dust to have me vacuum my front filter on a weekly basis. Only using DP #1, all other ports on my 3080 Ti are clean after year of use, no dust at all.

 

[Calenhad]

Unless you live in a windy desert, it should not matter. Do what you prefer. Cover or no cover is mostly an asthetic choice.

 

[igralec84]

Sounds like 4090 owners might want to steer clear of the covers then.

Mine didn't even come with the covers, so they know what they're doing