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Can Passive Backplates on Graphics Cards Increase Longevity and Cooling Potential?
Graphics cards are key components in modern computers that provide high-quality images, videos, and games. However, they can also generate a lot of heat and noise due to high power consumption and fast processing. To mitigate these issues, manufacturers often add various cooling mechanisms such as fans, heat sinks, and thermal paste to dissipate heat from the GPU (graphics processing unit) and VRAM (video random access memory). Recently, some graphics cards also feature passive backplates that cover the backside of the PCB (printed circuit board) and the memory chips without any active cooling elements. What are these backplates for, and do they really help?
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits and limitations of passive backplates on graphics cards, including their impact on longevity, cooling potential, and performance. We will also review some popular graphics cards that use passive backplates and compare them with similar models that don’t. Finally, we will provide some tips for choosing and installing graphics cards with passive backplates and maximizing their effectiveness.
What are Passive Backplates?
Before we dive into the pros and cons of passive backplates, let’s first clarify what they are and how they differ from active backplates or no backplates at all. A backplate is a metal or plastic plate that sits on the rear side of the graphics card and attaches to the PCB either with screws or snaps. Backplates can serve several purposes, such as:
– Providing a rigid and aesthetically pleasing cover for the backside of the GPU and memory modules.
– Helping to reinforce the PCB and prevent it from warping or bending due to weight, vibration, or handling.
– Enhancing the thermal dissipation of the card by acting as a heat spreader or a thermal interface between the PCB and the ambient air or a case fan.
– Reducing the electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the card’s electronic signals, which can interfere with other components or devices in the system or outside of it.
Active backplates are those that have some form of active cooling mechanism attached to them, such as a fan, a water block, or a heat pipe. Active backplates can help to directly dissipate heat from the PCB and the memory chips and improve the overall temperature and noise. However, they also add more complexity, cost, and potential failure points to the card, and may require special hardware or software to control them.
Passive backplates, as the name suggests, do not have any active cooling elements attached to them. Instead, they rely on the natural convection of the air and the radiation of the heat from the surface of the backplate to the environment. The idea behind passive backplates is that they can help to distribute the heat more evenly across the surfaces of the card and reduce the hot spots that can damage or degrade the components over time. Passive backplates can also serve as a backshell to protect the PCB and the memory from dust, moisture, and physical impact.
Do Passive Backplates Increase Longevity?
One of the main claims of passive backplates is that they can increase the longevity of the graphics card by reducing the thermal stress on the components. Thermal stress occurs when the temperature of a component changes rapidly from low to high or vice versa, causing it to expand or contract at different rates than the surrounding materials, which can lead to mechanical fatigue, cracks, or failures. Thermal stress can also accelerate the aging of the materials and reduce their lifespan, particularly if the temperature exceeds the recommended operating range.
Therefore, if passive backplates can help to lower the temperature of the PCB and the memory modules, they could potentially reduce the thermal stress and prolong the life of the card. However, there are some caveats to this claim. First, the effect of passive backplates on the temperature of the card depends on many factors, such as the thermal design power (TDP) of the GPU, the number and layout of the memory chips, the ambient temperature and humidity, the case ventilation, and the workload of the card. If the card is already well-cooled by other means, such as a large heatsink, a powerful fan, or a liquid cooler, the impact of passive backplates on the temperature may be marginal or negligible.
Second, passive backplates may not always provide the same benefit to all the components on the card. In some cases, the memory chips may be more sensitive to temperature changes than the GPU, as they generate less heat but have less thermal headroom. In other cases, the VRM (voltage regulation module) that controls the power delivery to the GPU may be more critical to keep cool, as it can get very hot under heavy loads and affect the stability and the overclocking potential of the card. Thus, the effectiveness of passive backplates in reducing thermal stress may vary depending on the specific design of the card and the usage scenario.
Third, passive backplates may not be sufficient to prevent or mitigate other types of damage to the card that can affect its longevity. For example, if the card is exposed to excessive moisture, dust, or static electricity, the passive backplate may not provide enough protection to prevent corrosion, short circuits, or electrostatic discharge (ESD). Moreover, if the card is mishandled or accidentally dropped, the passive backplate may not be strong enough to absorb the impact and prevent the PCB or the components from cracking or breaking. Therefore, passive backplates should not be seen as a panacea for all the longevity issues of graphics cards, but rather as a complementary feature that can help to enhance the overall durability and reliability of the card.
Do Passive Backplates Increase Cooling Potential?
Another claim of passive backplates is that they can increase the cooling potential of the graphics card by acting as a heat spreader or a thermal interface. Heat spreaders are materials that have high thermal conductivity and can transfer heat from one area to another by diffusing it through their bulk. Thermal interfaces are materials that have low thermal resistance and can improve the transfer of heat between two surfaces that are not in direct contact.
In the case of passive backplates, the idea is that they can spread the heat from the PCB and the memory chips to the surface of the backplate, which can then radiate the heat to the air or the case. The backplate can also help to flatten the temperature gradient across the card by providing a larger area for heat dissipation than the PCB alone. Moreover, the backplate can serve as a thermal interface between the PCB and the case or a case fan, which can further enhance the heat dissipation.
However, the effectiveness of passive backplates in increasing the cooling potential of graphics cards is also subject to various conditions and limitations. First, as mentioned earlier, the impact of passive backplates on the overall temperature of the card depends on many factors, such as the design of the card, the airflow inside the case, the ambient temperature and humidity, and the workload of the card. Thus, passive backplates may work better or worse for different setups and scenarios, and may not be a universal solution for cooling issues.
Second, the quality of the backplate material and its surface treatment can affect its thermal conductivity and emissivity, which are crucial for the heat transfer and dissipation. Backplates made of low-quality or low-conductivity materials, such as plastic or thin metal, may not effectively scatter or emit the heat and instead trap it in the card. Backplates with rough or uneven surfaces may also reduce the contact area and increase the thermal resistance, which can hinder the heat transfer. Therefore, high-quality backplates made of thick, solid, and well-treated metals, such as aluminum or copper, may provide better cooling potential than low-quality or non-metallic ones.
Third, passive backplates may not be effective at dissipating the heat from the VRM, which is one of the most critical and hot spots on the card. The VRM produces a lot of heat when it converts the DC voltage from the power supply into the precise voltage and current that the GPU requires. If the VRM gets too hot, it can cause the card to throttle, crash, or even damage the VRM or the GPU itself. Thus, some graphics cards may require additional cooling solutions, such as heatsinks or fans, to address the VRM temperature issue. Passive backplates alone may not be enough to provide sufficient cooling to the VRM or to spread the heat evenly across the card.
Fourth, passive backplates may not be compatible with all cases or setups, especially those that have limited clearance, poor airflow, or non-standard mounting options. Passive backplates can add some weight and thickness to the card, which can affect its compatibility with some small or slim cases or motherboard configurations. Moreover, passive backplates may require specific screws or standoffs to attach to the PCB, which may not be included in the package or may not fit well with some cases or motherboards. Thus, before choosing a graphics card with a passive backplate, make sure to check its compatibility with your case, motherboard, and other components.
Examples of Graphics Cards with Passive Backplates
Now that we have discussed the benefits and limitations of passive backplates on graphics cards, let’s look at some popular models that use passive backplates and compare them with similar models that don’t. We will focus on three main aspects of the cards: longevity, cooling potential, and performance.
1. ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER Overclocked 6GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER is a mid-range graphics card that features a passive backplate made of aluminum and a large heatsink with dual fans on the front side. The card has a GPU clock speed of 1830 MHz in OC mode and 1800 MHz in Gaming mode, and 6GB GDDR6 memory clocked at 14002 MHz. The card supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.6, and has HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4, and DVI-D outputs. The card has a length of 20.6 cm, a width of 12.4 cm, and a height of 4.38 cm, and requires a 450W power supply with one 8-pin PCIe power connector.
According to some user reviews and benchmarks, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER has a low temperature and noise profile, thanks to the passive backplate and the robust cooling system. The card can maintain a temperature of around 60°C under full load and idle at around 35°C in a well-ventilated case. The card produces only around 32 dB of noise at full load, which is relatively quiet compared to some other cards in the same price range. Moreover, the card can run most modern games at 1080p resolution with high or ultra settings and a stable frame rate of around 60 FPS, and even handle some games at 1440p with lower settings.
In terms of longevity, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER seems to have a solid build quality and a decent warranty of 3 years. The passive backplate can help to reduce the thermal stress on the PCB and the memory modules, although it may not provide enough cooling for the VRM under extreme overclocking. The backplate can also protect the card from dust and mechanical damage, and add a sleek and rugged look to it. However, some users have reported that the backplate can get quite hot to the touch, which may affect its emissivity and cooling potential over time.
2. MSI Radeon RX 570 8GB
The MSI Radeon RX 570 is an older graphics card that also features a passive backplate made of aluminum and a large heatsink with two fans on the front side. The card has a GPU clock speed of 1281 MHz and 8GB GDDR5 memory clocked at 7000 MHz. The card supports DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.5, and has HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4, and DVI-D outputs. The card has a length of 24.8 cm, a width of 13 cm, and a height of 4.4 cm, and requires a 500W power supply with one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector.
According to some user reviews and tests, the MSI Radeon RX 570 has a relatively low temperature and noise level, thanks to the passive backplate and the dual fans. The card can maintain a temperature of around 60°C under full load and idle at around 30°C in a well-ventilated case. The card produces around 36 dB of noise at full load, which is not too loud but may be noticeable in a quiet environment. Moreover, the card can run most modern games at 1080p resolution with medium or high settings and a stable frame rate of around 60 FPS.
In terms of longevity, the MSI Radeon RX 570 may not be as durable or reliable as some newer cards, as it has been in the market for a few years and may not receive regular updates or support. However, the card still has a decent warranty of 2 years and can serve well for casual gaming or work purposes. The passive backplate can help to reduce the thermal stress on the PCB and the memory modules, but may not be able to handle overclocking or heavy loads for extended periods of time. The backplate can also protect the card from dust and mechanical damage, but may not appeal to users who prefer a more stylish or customizable look.
3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 Founders Edition
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is a high-end graphics card that features a passive backplate made of aluminum and a unique triangular shape with a 12-pin power connector. The card has a GPU clock speed of 1395 MHz and 24GB GDDR6X memory clocked at 19500 MHz. The card supports DirectX 12 Ultimate and OpenGL 4.6, and has HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, and NVLink outputs. The card has a length of 31 cm, a width of 13.5 cm, and a height of 3-slot thickness, and requires a 750W power supply with the included adapter or a compatible 12-pin power supply.
According to some reviews and benchmarks, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 has a very high temperature and noise level, despite the passive backplate and the vapor chamber cooling system. The card can reach a temperature of around 90°C under full load and idle at around 50°C in a well-ventilated case. The card produces around 41 dB of noise at full load, which is quite loud and may require headphones or sound insulation. Moreover, the card can run most modern games at 4K resolution with ultra settings and a stable frame rate of around 60 FPS, and also handle demanding tasks such as 3D rendering, AI processing, or scientific simulations.
In terms of longevity, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 seems to be a well-built and high-performance card, although it also has some issues with thermal stress and power consumption. The passive backplate can help to distribute the heat across the surfaces of the card and protect it from dust and mechanical damage, but may not provide enough cooling for the VRM or the memory chips under heavy loads. The backplate can also add some weight and complexity to the installation and removal of the card, as well as limit its compatibility with some cases or motherboards. Moreover, the card has a high price tag and may not appeal to users who don’t need its extreme performance or features.
Tips for Choosing and Installing Graphics Cards with Passive Backplates
Now that we have examined some examples of graphics cards with passive backplates and their benefits and limitations, let’s summarize some tips for choosing and installing such cards:
1. Check the quality and material of the backplate. Make sure that the backplate is made of high-quality and thick metal, such as aluminum or copper, and has a smooth and even surface. Avoid backplates that are made of plastic or thin metal, or have rough or unfinished surfaces, as they may reduce the cooling potential or increase the thermal resistance.
2. Check the compatibility of the card with your case and motherboard. Make sure that the card fits well in your case and has enough clearance and ventilation to operate properly. Also, make sure that the card is compatible with your motherboard and power supply, and has the required PCIe connectors and power rating.
3. Consider the VRM cooling options. If you plan to overclock the card or run it under heavy loads, make sure that it has sufficient cooling for the VRM, which is critical for the stability and longevity of the card. Consider cards that have additional VRM heatsinks or fans, or install them yourself if needed.
4. Monitor the temperature and noise levels of the card. Use software tools such as MSI Afterburner, GPU-Z, or HWMonitor to monitor the temperature, fan speed, and noise level of the card under different loads and scenarios. Make sure that the card stays within a safe temperature range and produces an acceptable noise level for your environment.
5. Consider the warranty and support of the card. Make sure that the card comes with a decent warranty and support from the manufacturer, in case of defects, malfunctions, or compatibility issues. Consider also the user reviews and feedback on the card’s performance, reliability, and compatibility, and choose a trusted and reputable brand.
6. Install the card properly and securely. Make sure that the card is installed in the PCIe slot and attached to the case securely and properly, with the required screws or standoffs. Avoid touching the PCB or the components with your bare hands, and discharge any static electricity from your body before handling the card. Install the necessary drivers and software for the card, and update them regularly.
Conclusion: Can Passive Backplates on Graphics Cards Increase Longevity and Cooling Potential?
In conclusion, passive backplates on graphics cards can provide some benefits for the longevity and cooling potential of the card, but also have some limitations and conditions to consider. Passive backplates can help to reduce the thermal stress on the components and distribute the heat more evenly across the card, as well as serve as a backshell for protection and a cover for aesthetics. However, passive backplates may not be effective at cooling the VRM or other critical hot spots on the card, and may not be compatible with all cases or setups.
Therefore, when choosing a graphics card with a passive backplate, make sure to consider its quality, compatibility, VRM cooling options, temperature and noise levels, warranty and support, and installation procedures. Use appropriate software tools and monitors to check the performance and reliability of the card, and seek advice and feedback from other users and experts. Passive backplates can be a useful addition to graphics cards, but they should not be relied upon as the sole solution for cooling or longevity issues.
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