Why are GPU power connectors on top of the GPU?

[Quartz]

Why are GPU power connectors on top of the GPU? They could easily be on the underside. They are unsightly when on top Putting them at the end would increase card space requirements so that's out. But putting the connectors on the underside, perhaps inset a little, would make the card - and the PC's innards as a whole - look much cleaner.

 

[Threepwood]

idk, some cases are a bit small length wise so I guess they fit more cases than not this way?

 

[Flake87]

"They could easily be on the underside"

And then the board wouldn't fit the slot dimensions! PCBs are perhaps much more complicated than you imagine, with multilayer, plate through holes, etc moving pins and connectors is anything but easy, it's CAD stuff, and seeing as so many place them in the same place it's probably a manufacturers requirement as well.

 

[arc@css]

I seem to recall having then on the side on older cards. Wasn't much better, though.

 

[fobose]

It does keep me up at night worrying about how unsightly the GPU power cables are! Maybe get a new PC case to one that doesn't have a window on it. Out of sight, out of mind

 

[Quartz]

And then the board wouldn't fit the slot dimensions!

The board would most certainly fit if the connectors were inset a little as I suggest in my OP.

 

[agnes]

You could just move them your self??? It's really not difficult by any standard. You need a basic soldering iron and at least 15 smarts.

Seriously though, if you don't care about warranty, it's not tough.

 

[Jimmy Weirdarms]

You can always buy fancy power cables. There are coloured ones or even Addressable RGB rainbow-cables to make it all look more integrated and neat.