EVGA GTX770 Backplate necessary ?

[alonbl]

I ordered the EVGA GTX770 SC W/ACX and registered to get the free backplate.
They say "This backplate helps to reinforce the PCB, protects critical components and best of all, looks awesome!" I saw in a video that to place it on I need to unscrew all the screws from the back. Is it really necessary to put this thing? It doesn't touch the components so it doesn't cool them and to reinforse and to protect it seems pointless since its very ridged and nothing will harm the back anyway. I think that when you take all the screws off the cooling will detach from the GPU and that's cant be good.

http://www.evga.com/articles/00753/

 

[bleucharm28]

no, i personally don't think so. It's all about aesthetics.

 

[blastingcap]

Backplates also help with heat conduction or so people say. Does anyone have any link to this?

It might also help protect vs. bumps and scrapes.

 

[lavaheadache]

so they are giving backplates for registered 770's but wouldn't for Titan's? yeah, that makes sense

 

[Face2Face]

Backplates also help with heat conduction or so people say. Does anyone have any link to this?

It might also help protect vs. bumps and scrapes.

I'm not sure how they would? Don't they have some type of mounting spacer between the backplate and PCB so the card doesn't short? If that is the case they would probably make the card hotter if anything.

 

[Eureka]

so they are giving backplates for registered 770's but wouldn't for Titan's? yeah, that makes sense

780s don't get them either. I guess those 680 chips must be cheap enough to have enough profit margin for a backplate.

 

[wand3r3r]

I saw something about them and there was no difference other than to support the card but even that is pretty minor. They're pretty much for looks and support.

 

[alonbl]

I'm not sure how they would? Don't they have some type of mounting spacer between the backplate and PCB so the card doesn't short? If that is the case they would probably make the card hotter if anything.

It just sits on the places where the screws are.

 

[24601]

It just sits on the places where the screws are.

If the screws are directly touching the HSF in any way shape or form then it will help, however slightly with heat dissipation.

When tearing down my system, I found the face-place on the part of the card sticking out the back of your computer is extremely hot to the touch, and those are only secured to the HSF by 2-3 screws.

The ones that aren't secured to the HSF are less hot and get less hot extremely quickly even when they are the main exhaust port for the blower they are sitting on.

The back-plate would serve the same (wayward) function but with larger surface area and presumably more screws connecting it to the HSF.

 

[TridenT]

Cosmetic and marketing.

 

[nitromullet]

780s don't get them either. I guess those 680 chips must be cheap enough to have enough profit margin for a backplate.

I thought the price jumped $10 after EVGA started offering the 'free' backplate... There was no backplate promo on launch day, and the cards were $399 and $409 for vanilla and SC models. Now they are $409 and $419, respectively. (IIRC)

 

[lavaheadache]

I thought the price jumped $10 after EVGA started offering the 'free' backplate... There was no backplate promo on launch day, and the cards were $399 and $409 for vanilla and SC models. Now they are $409 and $419, respectively. (IIRC)

true, but then you don't have to go out of your way to get one.

 

[lavaheadache]

Cosmetic and marketing.

Considering that they touch can touch RAM chips on some cards there can be a cooling benefit. Also, I have had a ram stick fall directly onto the back of a card that was luckily protected by a back plate.

The biggest thing about them for me is that they make the card much easier and safer to handle. Big plus for me since I am constantly swapping different cards in and out of my system.

 

[alonbl]

This plate doesn't touch any chips. Anyway I ask EVGA and they said "A backplate is mostly to make the card look cleaner. It covers up the PCB on the card. We have seen that it also helps lower the card's temperature by about 1-3 degrees C. "
My question is - is it risky to unscrew it all cause then the cooler is detached from the gpu

 

[Painman]

Cosmetic and marketing.

Indeed. Unless there are RAM chips on the back of the PCB or something, this is just a gizmo. Not even a 4 GB 690 has RAM on the back. Haven't seen a vid card with actual rear-mounted RAM in a while.

I see 10 screwholes through the 770's PCB for its cooler. If they're all in use, then the card ought to be about as flexible as... the slab of aluminum it's bolted to.

'This plate doesn't touch any chips"

...It has no chips to touch. That's why it's useless unless you want it for dress-up. Or you're the sort of person who takes pliers and screwdrivers to their rig while there's still power to the mobo (Please tell us you're not).

 

[toyota]

Indeed. Unless there are RAM chips on the back of the PCB or something, this is just a gizmo. Not even a 4 GB 690 has RAM on the back. Haven't seen a vid card with actual rear-mounted RAM in a while.

I see 10 screwholes through the 770's PCB for its cooler. If they're all in use, then the card ought to be about as flexible as... the slab of aluminum it's bolted to.

'This plate doesn't touch any chips"

...It has no chips to touch. That's why it's useless unless you want it for dress-up. Or you're the sort of person who takes pliers and screwdrivers to their rig while there's still power to the mobo (Please tell us you're not).

Titan, GTX660, GTX660 ti, GTX650 Ti boost, GTX670 4gb and GTX680 4gb are some of the many cards with ram on the back

 

[Painman]

Alright, my bad. I don't keep up with stuff not directly relevant to me as well as some of you guys.

Point still stands though. If the back of the card does NOT contain VRMs or RAM, then an extra aluminum chunk is just a vanity thing.

 

[alonbl]

I still ask- is it risky to unscrew it because then the cooler could move and detached from the gpu with the thermal paste?

 

[blackened23]

Removing the GPU shroud is not dangerous, but you should be careful - the screws are usually torx 6 which means that they're extremely easy to "strip"; if you do strip them it will be a complete and utter PITA. Be careful when unscrewing the shroud, be gentle.

Additionally, you *do not* need a backplate - backplates are of no benefit and are for aesthetic value alone. In fact, I have measured GPU temperatures among many video cards both with and without backplates and without exception - the temperatures with a backplate are generally 1-3C higher. No, it's not a significant increase, and I still use them (as I prefer aftermarket cooled cards) but i'm only pointing out that backplates are for aesthetic value alone - nothing more.

 

[UaVaj]

nvm