Do I Need A GPU Support Bracket?

Do I Need A GPU Support Bracket? | cpugpunerds.com

The GPU in our computer system is fixed in the PCIe slot on the motherboard using a clip from one side only. The other side of most of the two fan GPUs is saggy because of the graphics card’s weight and the small size of the slot. Hence, the GPU support brackets support its weight, making it inflexible.

This article will answer your question about needing a GPU support bracket and clarify other concepts about such hardware and accessories. For example, the Saggy GPU can damage itself or the PCIe slot if you travel or your casing gets bumped.

Do I Need A GPU Support Bracket? 

You only need a GPU support bracket if you use a heavy GPU like the RTX 3080, RTX 4080, or Titan RTX. Also, you should buy one for your motherboard if you have a small form factor and thin profile GPU slots that may lean over in a vertical position.

Do I Need A GPU Support Bracket? | cpugpunerds.com

GPU support brackets are also called GPU Braces or anti-sag brackets. For example, you need a GPU support bracket if you have a three-fan or two-fan GPU. GPU braces will remove the sag in your graphics card and protect your GPU PCB (printed circuit board) and PCIe slot in which the GPU is installed.

Computer users who install and use multiple GPUs in their high-end system for mining, rendering, gaming, and exporting need support brackets. These brackets not only hold all of the graphics cards in their place but also maintain an airflow to keep them cool even though they are very close to one another.

You can also install a bracket to decorate your computer because they are available in RGB (Red, Green, Blue) or ARGB (Addressable Red, Green, Blue) lights. If you have noticed, nearly all games and high-end PC owners use a GPU support bracket.

We recommend installing one, especially when traveling with your computer system. That is how you can prevent the risk of breaking your graphics card or motherboard in case of bumps and knocks in the way because the GPU support brackets will keep your graphics card fastened in one fixed place.

What Exactly Is a GPU Support Bracket? 

A GPU support bracket is a computer accessory like a GPU liquid cooling system. But the purpose of installing GPU support braces is not only to make your graphics card rigid but also to remove the sag and illuminate and decorate your computer system with its eye-catching RGB or ARGB lights.

Hence, a GPU support bracket makes your graphics card and computer system look futuristic and protects against bumps and knocks. It will also maintain the airflow in a specific direction to help cool down your GPU faster. GPU support brackets are installed to hold multiple GPUs in place.

We recommend installing a GPU support bracket in your PC because all high-end computer systems with heavy GPUs have these braces installed.

Reasons for Installing a GPU Support Bracket  

GPU stability is the very first reason for installing a GPU support bracket. When you install your graphics card in the PCIe slot, you clip it from one side, the rear part of your PC casing. At the same time, the other part of your GPU has no clips. In this case, your heavy GPU, especially with metal heat sink plates installed, becomes saggy from that side.

Do I Need A GPU Support Bracket? | cpugpunerds.com

This sag can harm your GPU and motherboard when you move your computer system from one place to another without uninstalling your graphics card. The GPU support brackets remove this sag entirely by making your graphics card inflexible, increasing its stability greatly.

The second reason is to improve air circulation. There are GPU support brackets that fix your sagging graphics card and improve air circulation if installed correctly. As a result, your GPU remains cooled down, helping the GPU fans. These GPU support braces are manufactured to cool the continuously moving air around them.

The third reason is the GPU damage protection. In case of a bump or even a fall, most of the solid-state parts of a computer system may survive. But the GPU is the most vulnerable hardware installed in your computer if it does not have support brackets. The GPU brackets protect a GPU from damage and the motherboard’s PCIe slot.

When Is a GPU Support Bracket Required? 

A GPU support bracket is required for different purposes. The first and foremost objective is eliminating the GPU sag by making it inflexible hardware. In this way, your GPU is always fixed in place, even when it suffers a fall. As a result, your GPU PCB and your motherboard are safe.

Do I Need A GPU Support Bracket? | cpugpunerds.com

The second reason behind using GPU support brackets is to hold multiple graphic cards in their places. Data miners, gamers, animation, 3D artists, etc., use various GPUs to enhance the performance of their computer systems. Hence, they mostly use GPU support brackets.

 The third reason for using GPU support brackets is to help your graphics cards cool down fast. There are GPU braces that have a shape for circulating the air in a way that cools down your GPU faster, helping your GPU cooling system. It is nothing but killing two birds with one stone.

The fourth reason behind using GPU support brackets is to make your computer system look more beautiful. GPU brackets are available in different colors, such as RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) and ARGB (Addressable Red, Green, and Blue). These colors make your tinted glass PC casing look decorative.

Considerations Before Installing a GPU Support Bracket

Installation of GPU support brackets is straightforward. But before installing a GPU support bracket in your computer system’s casing.

  • Compatibility
    The first thing is the size or compatibility with the graphics card and the PC case. We know that every GPU has a different size; hence, all graphics cards have different GPU support brackets for fastening them. The GPU support bracket for a single graphics card differs in size and shape from the one for multiple GPUs.
  • Price of the GPU Support Bracket
    The second factor to consider is the price of the GPU support bracket. The brackets for a single graphics card are cheaper than the braces for multiple graphic cards. Similarly, the GPU support brackets with Addressable RGB lights are more expensive than the ones with nonaddressable simple RGB lights.

Similarly, the GPU support brackets for the latest and more powerful graphics cards are also expensive because there are fewer manufacturers in the beginning.

Some GPU support brackets are RGB light display hardware for removing the sag in your GPU and helping you cool down your graphics card by giving a specific direction to the airflow. Hence, you can say that such anti-sag brackets are helping your cooling system passively.

How To Install GPU Support Bracket

The method of installing GPU support brackets is a piece of cake. First, shut down your computer system and unplug its power cables. Now, press the power button from 10 to 12 seconds to eliminate any residual charge to prevent yourself from electric shock. After that, open up the side casing of your PC.

Next, Lay down your PC case on the other side to easily see your GPU and other hardware. Now replace the screws on your motherboard close to the PCIe slots with standoffs. After that, fix the L-Shaped GPU support bracket using screws. 

Then, fix the mounting bracket to the backside of your graphics card using screws. Next, hold your GPU with both dry hands in a proper position that it will fix in the motherboard. After that, bring the mounting bracket behind the L-shaped bracket and insert your GPU in the PCIe slot.

Next, screw all the remaining brackets to each other and your computer system case. Attach the GPU power cords back to it in the same order they were connected before. In the end, close the case, stand up your PC, place it back in its place, attach the power cords, and start it. 

Does GPU Sag Effect Performance? 

To know if your saggy GPU is affecting performance, we will share a method for you if you are a Windows 10/11 user. First, right-click on your “Start Menu” and select the option saying “Device Manager.” A window will appear with all the devices and drivers in your computer system.

Do I Need A GPU Support Bracket? | cpugpunerds.com

Find the “Display Adapter” from the list of devices and drop it down by clicking the arrow icon. You will see your graphics card’s name here. Just double-click on it. In the end, a small window with multiple tabs will appear. For example, in the “General” tab, see the device status section.

 If it says, “This device is working properly,” your GPU sag is not affecting its performance. In case of another message, you must consider fixing the issue and installing the GPU support bracket.

Does GPU Raiser Require Support Bracket? 

GPU risers are accessories for changing your graphics card’s position in your computer system. For this, you need a GPU riser card and riser cables. GPU risers are so small that they do not need support brackets. It is because there is no place for their brackets on the motherboard.

Instead, you can find riser brackets in the online or physical computer accessories shop. This is because some people make substantial open-tower PCs for digital currency, data mining, extreme gaming, etc. They use these riser brackets to connect their multiple graphics cards to a single powerful motherboard.

Moreover, these riser brackets can hold more than two GPUs and help you connect your powerful GPU to the main board. Finally, since they do not use screws or support brackets, they are much easier to install than standard GPU support brackets. 

Conclusion

GPU support brackets are a great way to prevent sag in your graphics cards and help with cooling. Installing one is simple, but ensure you do it safely by unplugging all electrical cords before starting the process. GPU brackets save your motherboard and GPU from permanent damage.

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