can i remove the backplate on a reference 5870 and still use it?

[almoststew1990]

It adds two inches or so to the cards length and basically won't fit in my case.

1) do the screws that hold the backplate in place also hold the cooler in place? Of does the x shaped chip 'bracket' hold the cooler in place?

2) if no, does the backplate have any cooling function?

3) if yes to 2) can I saw off the 'handle' part of the back plate without ruining whatever cooling it does?

 

[Uncle Petey]

Got a pic?
It's just that I had a ref 5870 and I've just looked at few pics of ref cards and the backplate is the same length as the shroud.

 

[LtMatt]

It adds two inches

A lot of men on this forum (present company excluded of course) would be grateful for an extra two inches.

 

[triss]

Got a pic?
It's just that I had a ref 5870 and I've just looked at few pics of ref cards and the backplate is the same length as the shroud.

I've just checked my MSi reference one and yes backplate is as Petey says same length as the card.

A Model /pic of the card in question might help us see

I dont need a 2 inch extension sorry matt i've never had a complaint But i cant speak for you

 

[almoststew1990]

Unfortunately i only got a picture after i'd sawn off 3/4 of an inch, which made up the 'handle' part of the rear extension to the backplate. However the remaining backplate still extends out way past the actual cooler cover.

The card was idling at about 50 and 38c, so I thought I might as well get the whole cooler off and give it a dust out and put some new thermal paste on there. It turns out the screws holding the backplate on were also holding the cooler shroud (and fan) in place, but the four screws on the GPU bracket were keeping it from falling off mid game!


Idles at 37c and 37c now. I assume the memory is the one that hasn't changed as that had cooling 'pads' on that I didn't touch.

 

[Five.Stars]

That is a non standard back plate that was obviously added at a later date. Looks odd.

 

[triss]

As five said thats not a standard back plate the factory one ends right at the cooler.
I'd say you could cut it level with the PCB and have no issues

 

[james.miller]

that's a Dell 5870, like this one http://www.pakgamers.com/forums/f64/ati-radeon-hd-5870-1gb-185951/

 

[triss]

Ah Thanks James