GPU sag, is it the Card, Motherboard or Case?

[Kaapstad]

As in the title,

GPU sag, is it the Card, Motherboard or Case?

A lot of people just assume it's the GPU but looking at a pic of sagging I am not so sure.

I suspect it has a lot to do with how the motherboard lines up with the slots in the case and also the quality of the PCI-E slots themselves.

I don't normally get much GPU sag if any at all despite using some really heavy cards and think I may have been lucky with the motherboards/cases I have used.

What do you think?

 

[Ryan0655]

Probably a bit of everything. A snug fit in the PCIe slot, solid mounting on the case and a evenly balanced card will all help. I have Lian Li O11 dynamic case, ASRock B550 Taichi mobo and Aorus 3090 master card and there is no sag. Even if I take the screws out the case slot area it still sits nice in the mobo and case.

 

[henson0115]

i think it can vary depending on multiple factors
1, length of card
2, weight of card
3, socket material
4, case material

the socket and gpu is my initial thought with long and heavy cards, the card is bending the socket and is itself bending normally.
metal coated sockets tend to have more strength to them.

also have a lian li lan cool with a heavy 6800 and no sag, but also have a metal coat pcix socket

 

[kevman]

I say it's the mainly card The 3090 FE is the largest card I have ever owned and is solid as a rock. I have a anti gpu sag bracket for my evolvx and have not even needed it.

 

[HRL]

As in the title,

GPU sag, is it the Card, Motherboard or Case?

A lot of people just assume it's the GPU but looking at a pic of sagging I am not so sure.

I suspect it has a lot to do with how the motherboard lines up with the slots in the case and also the quality of the PCI-E slots themselves.

I don't normally get much GPU sag if any at all despite using some really heavy cards and think I may have been lucky with the motherboards/cases I have used.

What do you think?

Only times I’ve ever seen a GPU sag is when fitted to a cheaper mobo.

IMO, the better mobo‘s generally have sturdier PCI-E slots.

My 3090FE nearly weighs as much as me but there’s zero sag.

Bet you don’t skimp on mobo’s.

 

[Kaapstad]

Only times I’ve ever seen a GPU sag is when fitted to a cheaper mobo.

IMO, the better mobo‘s generally have sturdier PCI-E slots.

My 3090FE nearly weighs as much as me but there’s zero sag.

Bet you don’t skimp on mobo’s.

Normally I use the Rampage Extreme motherboards.

 

[Quartz]

A trick I've seen is to put a screw in the bottom of the blanking plate to ensure a rigid no-flex fit there.

 

[Gerard]

A trick I've seen is to put a screw in the bottom of the blanking plate to ensure a rigid no-flex fit there.

Phanteks have a bracket that does the same thing.

 

[JohnG7]

As in the title,

GPU sag, is it the Card, Motherboard or Case?

A lot of people just assume it's the GPU but looking at a pic of sagging I am not so sure.

I suspect it has a lot to do with how the motherboard lines up with the slots in the case and also the quality of the PCI-E slots themselves.

I don't normally get much GPU sag if any at all despite using some really heavy cards and think I may have been lucky with the motherboards/cases I have used.

What do you think?

Watch the Jay2Cent's YT video where he screwed two screws into rear of Mobo tray and it was solid.

I have no sag even with before the retaining screws are in (3 of them) on 3090FE so I do think it is down to the fit with the GPU's I/O bracket TAB (thickness/width) and your PC cases retention slots.

It does not matter how good your PCI-E slots are (even the newer armoured ones) the card will lift at the rear if it does not fit the case properly like in his video

Now my balls after a hot bath, that is another story...


EDITED: missed the same video posted above.