Gaming Hardware Archives - Page 2 of 2

Does a graphics card backplate do anything and is it worth having? The simple answer to that is yes, it’s worth having and yes, it does something. In this article, you are going to find out what it does and why you should have a backplate on your graphics card.Backplates are something that often can be found on the more expensive graphics card and there is a reason for it. Adding a backplate to a GPU will make the card more expensive but it will also improve the card on some points. One of the most obvious reason is that a card with a backplate looks much better than a card without. Don’t you agree?It Looks CoolerEveryone wants to have a gaming rig that looks amazing. This includes looking good both on the inside and the outside. Thankfully, a graphics card backplate will do exactly the trick.The backplate for your graphics card can be customized in a number of ways. It could simply be a pleasing color to look at or it could have an intricate design on it. Either way, it will add a dash of style to your gaming rig.In some cases, you can even find a backplate that has the design of something you support. This could be an e-sports team, a company that manufactures your gaming gear, or even just a brand that you like. Having a graphics card with this backplate will help show your support of them.Many backplates will have a design that is done by the manufacturers of the graphics card itself. If you want to show how much you support that particular company, then getting a graphics card with a backplate designed by them is a wonderful way to show your loyalty to the brand.Getting a Customized Graphics Card BackplateIf you have the money for it, you can also consider getting a customized backplate. This means that you can have any design you want, ranging from something simple and minimalistic to something intricate and complex or even something that has a personal meaning to you.The option of customization offers you a way to express yourself through your own gaming rig, which is something that not everyone gets the chance to do. If being able to express yourself is something that means a lot to you, then it will be well worth the money to do so.Different materials will play a role in the appearance of your graphics card backplate. Plastic tends to be easier to customize but it also has a cheaper look to it. That is, of course, because plastic is cheaper. If you want something that both feels and looks good, then the next best choice is metal.There are many advantages to getting a metal backplate, from its durability to its sleek appearance. Sadly, you might run into some trouble finding a metal backplate; many manufacturers do not want to produce them and they are quite a bit more expensive than their plastic counterparts.It Helps with Cooling the GPUThe health and quality of your graphics card are paramount to keeping your computer in top condition. By getting a backplate, you can help preserve the life of your graphics card.With graphics cards, making sure that they don’t overheat is important. This is why many gaming computers have top-of-the-line cooling systems. After all, if one part of it stops working as it should, then there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to play the games you want any more.Backplates have been said to assist with cooling when it comes to the heat of your graphics card. From the increased surface area to the high-quality materials that they are made from, choosing to invest in a backplate for your graphics card is one of the best things that you can do.When you decide to take the measures necessary to reduce the amount of heat that comes through your graphics card, you will be able to increase its lifespan in the long run. Excessive heat can damage sensitive parts of your graphics card, meaning that it will deteriorate more quickly.Some backplates come with thermal pads attached. These pads act as a heatsink, drawing heat away from the graphics card itself. This will also work to lower the overall temperature of your graphics card, further extending its lifespan.Depending on the material of the backplate, the cooling that it can provide will be better or worse. Some plastics can actually worsen the cooling of your graphics card, which means that you should avoid plastic backplates at all costs.Some metal backplates can help take the heat off the card. Just as aluminum baking sheets can cool down within minutes, there are some backplates that can keep your graphics card looking good without making it overheat. These are just some of the things to consider when you are looking for a backplate for your graphics card.It can sometimes be difficult to find a backplate for your card, much less one that is high-quality. This is because it costs more time and money for the manufacturer to produce. In turn, even a relatively poor-quality backplate can increase the price of your graphics card noticeably.Likewise, if you are searching for a metal backplate, this will be even more difficult. After all, metal is more expensive than plastic. If you want to ensure that your graphics card is well protected, then it might be worth it for you to put out the extra money for a metal backplate.It Makes the Card SturdierIn addition to having an exceptionally cool graphics card, you will also want to make sure that your graphics card is not sagging in the case, which looks really bad.Depending on who is manufacturing your graphics card, your backplate for your graphics card can do quite a bit more. For instance, it can help reinforce the PCB of your graphics card. The PCB, or the printed circuit board, is an integral part of your graphics card.Being able to reinforce the important parts of your graphics card is going to help your card from sagging. As many graphics’ cards are very big today, many of them will sag and look ugly. In some pre-built systems, you will even find some form of support at the end of the card that will hold it up. A backplate is another solution to sagging.In addition to the PCB, a high-quality backplate is designed to protect other critical components of your graphics card. This means that if your computer sustains any type of trauma, there is a better chance that your graphics card will survive the ordeal safely.This is another situation where a metal backplate is one that will serve far better than a plastic one. A metal backplate is sturdier, is more durable, and will last much longer than a plastic backplate. This is one of the many reasons why you should consider looking at metal backplates for your graphics card.ConclusionHaving a backplate on your GPU is a good idea. While it may not make a night or day difference, it’s certainly more advantageous to have one. Just for the little fact that your GPU will look much better with some metal on the top (which is what you actually see if you have a case with a window) instead of the PCB.Also, the fact that a backplate will help from sagging and with cooling as well, it’s a no brainer that if you can have a backplate, you should get one. Now, it can be quite hard to find a backplate for a graphics card that doesn’t have one. That is why it might be a good idea to get a graphics card that already has it on the purchase.It should not be the ultimate choice when choosing a GPU, you should always buy the most powerful that you can afford and if you have to choose a GPU without backplate then so be it. But if you can go for it, it’s nice and give the card a better build quality.Do you have a backplate on your GPU?