What does a backplate do

phil-k · 15 Dec 2015 at 10:16

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/sapp...rd-with-backplate-11244-01-20g-gx-373-sp.html

I have been looking at buying a new graphics card and like the look of the one in the link above.
This ad mentions that it come with a backplate, does this help with absording heat from the card or does it have other uses
Thanks

setter · 15 Dec 2015 at 10:19

Its mainly aesthetics, but it can help a little with cooling. Also provides a bit if support which can prevent the card from sagging in the pcie slot.

NMBlack · 15 Dec 2015 at 10:20

They can sometimes help with heat dissipation, but it's mostly to strengthen the card so that it doesn't sag (particularly those with heavy heat sinks) and aesthetics.

MooMoo444 · 15 Dec 2015 at 10:31

If you take pride in your system, for ex you have a windowed case, neat cable arrangement, then a backplate on a graphics card looks so much better than a bare circuit board. Mostly visual benefits, but it can help strengthen the card and give another surface for the heat to spread, even if only minor. The main bonus is that they often allow you to fix things to the card, such as water blocks or additional cooling devices.

beany_bot · 15 Dec 2015 at 10:34

A lot easier to clean dust too than a naked back.

Avenged7Fold · 15 Dec 2015 at 11:30

Gives me a 3 second headstart to save my GPU if my CPU to VRM acrylic piping decides to break

Yaayuh! · 15 Dec 2015 at 11:55

Looks better in most cases
Strengthens the card, so helps with sagging of larger cards
Some have been known to actually insulate the back of the card rather than help cooling

Ayahuasca · 15 Dec 2015 at 11:59

If you've got a fan that can blow over it then it can help with cooling, depends if it makes proper contact with any chips on the back of the card. Otherwise it can actually increase temps.

TNA · 15 Dec 2015 at 12:54

I always thought it was a chick magnet. Whenever I brings girls home and show them inside my pc, they comment on how cool the backplate of my GPU is

Caracus2k · 15 Dec 2015 at 13:14

A lot of the time back plates can hinder cooling unless actively cooled and properly thermally connected to any hot components on the back of a gpu. There for show and to aid with rigidity

shankly1985 · 15 Dec 2015 at 13:21

beany_bot said:
A lot easier to clean dust too than a naked back.

I find this the best use over others.

anthony566 · 15 Dec 2015 at 14:14

The back plates on my current cards ( 390's ) really adds to the rigidity of the cards and they do warm up so must be helping with cooling ?? but I suspect that this will differ between manufacturers ...

setter · 15 Dec 2015 at 15:33

I think they stop heat from the card affecting CPU temps a bit too. My old 4790k ran a bit cooler with my backplate fitted card in sig than with a gigabyte wf 780.

Cooper · 15 Dec 2015 at 16:12

There is also the principle of asking £300-500 for a high end GPU and not putting one on simply because of penny pinching.

MSi lost out on the sale of two 970's and a matching Motherboard from me because of such penny pinching, went with ASUS.

Disco_P · 15 Dec 2015 at 16:44

Prevented my 780 from dying

Scougar · 15 Dec 2015 at 16:51

The companies reason: It looks better and more likely to sell more cards.

Consumers reasons: Looks much nicer than just looking at back of card; Strengthens the card so it doesn't sag; Less likely to take physical damage to the back of the card; can help tie the card in with a theme for a case.

epeen reason: Chicks (as mentioned); bragging rights. ;-)

Troll reasons: Makes your hair grow back and grow a third testicle.

Blackjack Davy · 15 Dec 2015 at 16:53

Avenged7Fold said:
Gives me a 3 second headstart to save my GPU if my CPU to VRM acrylic piping decides to break

Disco_P said:
Prevented my 780 from dying

You're not doing a vary good job at selling custom water loops to me, or AIO's for that matter.

V F · 15 Dec 2015 at 17:10

Blackjack Davy said:
You're not doing a vary good job at selling custom water loops to me, or AIO's for that matter.

Drip fed.

Sencha · 15 Dec 2015 at 17:30

beany_bot said:
A lot easier to clean dust too than a naked back.

This is the biggest thing for me.

Klunt Bumskrint · 15 Dec 2015 at 17:43

I love back plates. Cards just look so much nicer.

Also helps dissipate heat