Why haven't GPUs gone triple-slot?

[Quartz]

High end GPUs are one of the greatest consumers of power in your PC. CPU air coolers can be huge. But GPU air coolers are not. So why haven't high end GPU coolers gone triple or even quad slot?

 

[Quartz]

Bigger coolers are not a good selling point, can droop the card without support to hold them up

Vertical cases for the win!

 

[Quartz]

The only argument against quad slot coolers is that there's no room for them on many mATX systems. Triple+ slot system rule out ITX, of course.

 

[Quartz]

A high end gpu as you say cries out for water cooling if you are that way inclined not a massive cooler.

I disagree. Even at the high end, most people just want to plug and play. And AIO fluid coolers have the issues of pumps breaking, fluid leaking, fluid evaporating, and so on. With air coolers, if a fan breaks, it can be easily replaced.

 

[Quartz]

Easily replaced but not easily with an original fan

Huh?

you seem to be forgetting airflow too

Airflow is an entirely separate issue. One which AIO coolers win big time.

 

[Quartz]

if a fan breaks on a GPU cooler how do you replace it with a matching fan ? Its not easy or cheap unless you go fugly and strap one on.

Why bother? Just get a new identical one and fit it. They are mass-produced fans, you know. If you disassemble your GPU you should find the label on the fan.

 

[Quartz]

Except EVGA have started doing crazy logo molding on the blades and Asus use bespoke fans on their top models (I think).

So what? I'm sure they'll be glad to sell you replacements or provide them under their warranty.

 

[Quartz]

can you imagine the sag on a big 3/4 slot cooler more than they do already.

Mount the GPU vertically.