As a gamer who just picked up the RTX 3080, I can attest that this powerful and efficient GPU is one of my favorite ones on the market. It’s reliable while being cool enough! However, once you finally pull it out from its box (heavy), then realize how large/heavily dimensioned compared to some other graphics cards. That usually means good things, right? Yes- but also check into whether or not there may be any sag issues before assuming all heavy = high-quality materials.
What Is GPU Sag
The graphic card is the most important part of any computer. Without it, you cannot do anything with your machine at all! That’s why I was so excited to build my own PC and get everything set up just right for optimal performance until I discovered something called “GPU sag.” This unfortunate side effect happens when there are too few points holding down this fragile metal cylinder Reason number one: The PCIe slot holds only two of its five fingers on either side; each time someone inserts a graphics card into that space between those DRAM chips or flash storage devices – which can easily bend under pressure from even light finger tapping without invitation they’re pushing against four more surfaces instead (CPU heatsink, power supply grill).
Is It Bad?
A GPU sag is not a problem but instead an advantage. It can reduce stress on your graphics card by up to 40%. Now that you know what it does and why we should all use one, don’t be scared!
No need for alarm bells or unnecessary worry because most of the time, GPUs will take care in absorbing any bumps without breaking from them – this includes sags too. Why? Simply due to their flexibility which makes it difficult (though not impossible) to break these components’ delicate PCB boards as well–just remember never force anything if something does.
Fixing it
One common solution to deal with this issue is using the resources you already have. Specifically, power cables coming from your PSU and running into a GPU – we know that most people route these below for a cleaner look but if concerned about sag, then consider routing them up above instead! This can potentially remove some weight off of the card- which might not be necessary since it’s only temporary anyway–but don’t count on it being permanent either way too much because there will always come down again when installing or removing components later downstream after all.
Professional Solution
If you’re looking for a more “professional” solution, we recommend getting yourself one of these brackets. A support bracket is just a long piece of metal or plastic that can be installed below your GPU to provide extra support and keep it from sagging. Some cards come with their own ones in the box; if yours doesn’t, make sure you check Amazon because they’re usually around the $20-$30 price range (EVGA & MSI are popular brands).
Conclusion:
There are a few DIY methods we didn’t mention, such as tying a wire on the top of your case to hold up graphics cards. However, is GPU sag bad enough? In most cases, no, and that’s because it happens when you upgrade or change any component inside your computer system – including power supply units! You can prevent this issue by following our handy guide from Techwalla, which will show how upgrading certain parts could help solve sagging problems altogether in some models:
You’ll want an anti-sag bracket if (and only if) there are other components outside with access rights like slot-loading DVD drives; another option may be moving them out further away from supporting surfaces where possible.
