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$h!t Manufacturers Say Ep. 1 - "Backplates Cool Your Video Card"

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips1.4M viewsFeb 15, 20176:14
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Description

Do GPU backplates ACTUALLY cool your video card, or are they just a gimmicky piece with a solely aesthetic benefit? G-Fuel: DEAL OVER... geni.us Buy Aorus GTX 1080 on Amazon: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com

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AI OverviewDefault language

The video introduces the topic of GPU backplates and whether they provide any actual cooling benefit beyond aesthetics. The host explains the common belief across enthusiast forums that backplates are mostly for looks and rigidity, not cooling. He then presents the Orus GTX 1080 Extreme Edition 8G, which features an advanced copper back plate claiming to dissipate heat from the GPU through the back in addition to the front cooling module. A Founders Edition 1080 without such cooling claims is used as a baseline, and a test bench is prepared to compare temperatures. The test methodology is described, including running FurMark to push the GPU and monitoring temperatures at stock settings before and after removing the back plate. We also get a quick tour of the disassembly process, including the number of screws and the need for a magnetic tray to prevent tiny fasteners from getting lost. The host emphasizes that the initial results will show whether the copper back plate truly lowers core temperatures or simply looks impressive, setting up for a direct comparison later in the video.

Topics · technology · hardware · computer-components · science-and-technology

Questions answered

Do backplates on GPUs actually improve cooling or are they mostly cosmetic?
Based on the video's findings, a copper back plate does not substantially reduce GPU core temperatures compared to a card without such a back plate; the visible cold spot on the back plate does not translate into lower core temps in the tests.
What was the baseline used for comparison in the test?
A Founders Edition GTX 1080 without a copper back plate was used as the baseline for comparison to evaluate any cooling benefit from the copper back plate.