There’s no end to how big GPUs get. There’s a downside to a powerful, massive graphics card. Specifically, some graphics cards are harder to hold in place-and with them being bigger and heavier, some might actually damage your PC if you don’t install them correctly.
How come? “GPU sag” happens because of this. So what’s GPU sag, and what’s the fix? What can you do to avoid it?
Exactly What Is GPU Sag?
High-end graphics cards are so heavy that they sag from a vertically positioned motherboard if they’re connected, rather than staying sucked in place snugly, so they end up exerting downward pressure on the slot and “sagging” from it. The lanes and cutouts on your case help prevent sagging on small graphics cards, but big graphics cards can cause stress on PCI Express slots.
Step on the graphics card to hold it off a ledge. You won’t have any trouble if it’s a lighter plank. It’s easier to hold a smaller plank, but a bigger or heavier one will bend.
Graphics cards sag because they are heavy and big, putting stress on PCIe slots and GPUs. PCI Express slots on a lot of motherboards are physically reinforced to counteract GPU sagging. No matter how resilient the slot is, you might still get damage. There’s a chance it’ll sag or get damaged.
GPU Sag: What’s the Deal?
Hardware can get damaged by GPU sag. Slots, especially ones that aren’t reinforced, can bend and warp over time if they’re not reinforced. Having a damaged slot might cause performance problems or even a graphics card not working.
It’s not just the slot that can get damaged, it’s the graphics card too. The GPU circuit board puts pressure on its delicate electrical components when it sags. Eventually, bending the circuit board will probably result in microfractures or weak soldered connections, leading to electrical problems or, ultimately, GPU failure.
In a weird twist, GPU sag can even mess with the alignment of the GPU cooler and the heat sink, affecting the cooler’s contact area and thermal conductivity. This can also compromise the graphics card’s heat dissipation efficiency. Things that can’t be cooled properly end up thermal throttling and going south.
Keeping GPUs From Sagging
A lot of GPUs sag. There can’t be that many GPUs out there breaking everyone’s PC. Luckily, there are plenty of options for reducing GPU sag or even getting rid of it.
1. Bracket Your GPU
GPU brackets are the best fix for GPU sagging. Using our plank analogy, this is like adding a small pillar or support beam under the plank to lift it. You can keep the graphics card level and prevent it from bending under its weight by attaching the bracket to a point inside the case and then placing the graphics card on it.
Basically, it helps support the GPU so the fragile connection point isn’t put under too much pressure. Others attach to PCIe slots or other mounting points on the motherboard, while others rest on the bottom of the case. The support usually installs tool-free, and you can adjust the height to fit your graphics card’s specific size.
2. How to Build a Horizontal PC
Most big GPUs come with support brackets, so most people should use them. Is there a way to get around it if you don’t want to use it? Forgo vertically installing your motherboard if you’re having GPU sagging problems.
The PCI Express slot won’t be stressed by downward pressure in a horizontal case, so you can build your PC with as big a GPU as you want. If you were going to use a horizontal PC case anyway, you’ll be glad to know GPU sag doesn’t matter.
3. Reduce Your GPU’s Size
Last but not least, if the first two GPU sag fixes don’t work, you might have to downgrade to one that doesn’t sag so easily. You’ll need to settle for something smaller if triple-fan behemoths don’t work.
Thanks to smaller GPUs, you can still play games just fine. It’s usually a “mid-range” unit. Simply look at your options and see which one works for you.
A GPU Sag Fix Is Out
PCs can get damaged by GPU sag, and it happens to the best of us. Hopefully, you can fix it with some elbow grease. Try one of our other two methods to avoid a bracket if your GPU doesn’t come with one.
