GPU holder do it yourself solutions?

[Sentos]

So I just took possession of my new rig*. Sadly one of wished for options was not possible according to system integrator: Protecting my GPU from its own weight by using a GPU holder was prevented by the positioning of mainboard, SATA ports on the MB and case using standard solutions. As the builder left money on table both for the holder and my assent to consider a higher priced combination of MA / Case to enable the holder I have to assume it is not totally impossible for it be true.

Which leaves me with Do it yourself solutions - what are good ones? I have heard of glass bottles and cans. Please assume I prefer something neither flammable or meltable for obvious GPU heat related reasons.

*Assuming it survived delivery. This is the second attempt, on the first the cable ties to secure the GPU or GPU power cable tore of the SATA ports and the build found damage to the GPU once returned.

[ByeGames]

I have a 3d printed holder, it's printed with normal PLA and it doesn't melt though it has deformed due to the presssure. So i would use an old pen or something like that

[Dedayog]

12 minutes ago, Sentos said:

So I just took possession of my new rig*. Sadly one of wished for options was not possible according to system integrator: Protecting my GPU from its own weight by using a GPU holder was prevented by the positioning of mainboard, SATA ports on the MB and case using standard solutions. As the builder left money on table both for the holder and my assent to consider a higher priced combination of MA / Case to enable the holder I have to assume it is not totally impossible for it be true.

Which leaves me with Do it yourself solutions - what are good ones? I have heard of glass bottles and cans. Please assume I prefer something neither flammable or meltable for obvious GPU heat related reasons.

*Assuming it survived delivery. This is the second attempt, on the first the cable ties to secure the GPU or GPU power cable tore of the SATA ports and the build found damage to the GPU once returned.

Can we get a pic of the inside of the PC so we can see distances, clearances, obstructions?

 

What GPU is it?  May not even need a support.

 

I use a simple pillar style...

 

Amazon.com: Graphics Card GPU Brace Support, Video Card Sag Holder Bracket, GPU Stand (L, 74-120mm) : Electronics

 

[Needfuldoer]

Anything you can get that's non-conductive and can reach between the GPU and the floor of the case will work. Check your local hardware store for nylon nuts and bolts.

 

You could even use building toys like K'Nex, LEGO, or Lincoln Logs if you really wanted to.

[PDifolco]

1 hour ago, Sentos said:

So I just took possession of my new rig*. Sadly one of wished for options was not possible according to system integrator: Protecting my GPU from its own weight by using a GPU holder was prevented by the positioning of mainboard, SATA ports on the MB and case using standard solutions. As the builder left money on table both for the holder and my assent to consider a higher priced combination of MA / Case to enable the holder I have to assume it is not totally impossible for it be true.

Which leaves me with Do it yourself solutions - what are good ones? I have heard of glass bottles and cans. Please assume I prefer something neither flammable or meltable for obvious GPU heat related reasons.

*Assuming it survived delivery. This is the second attempt, on the first the cable ties to secure the GPU or GPU power cable tore of the SATA ports and the build found damage to the GPU once returned.

What's preventing you to buy one ??

[daygeckoart]

Someone shipped you a computer without the graphics card supported and it broke, and you sent it back, and he's sending it again with no support? This sounds bad. If possible, I would get a refund. The motherboard may be damaged too.

[Sentos]

1 hour ago, PDifolco said:

What's preventing you to buy one ??

Mainly by being left with the impression something what Dedayog posted didn't exist. Of course splurged for all the fans, thus the bottom is full of fans, so had spring for a variant that fits on top of fan mountings.

And more money goes to Amazon.

As the GPU is a 5090 I have no excuse not to buy something hopefully professionally made.

But seeing this many variants I am bit pissed that my system builder seems to live in ignorance. Well, they don't carrry noctua fans either.

[Sentos]

4 minutes ago, daygeckoart said:

Someone shipped you a computer without the graphics card supported and it broke, and you sent it back, and he's sending it again with no support? This sounds bad. If possible, I would get a refund. The motherboard may be damaged too.

This time I annoyed them enough to use packing foam in liberal amounts, so hopefully it'll startup this time. Anything that moved that should have dented the case and/or broke the sidepanel glass.

The funny thing is my I last PC I bought there they used these foam cushion things to support the 3060 in that one so I didn't even consider they might use 2 cable ties only this time around.

[Dedayog]

12 minutes ago, Sentos said:

Mainly by being left with the impression something what Dedayog posted didn't exist. Of course splurged for all the fans, thus the bottom is full of fans, so had spring for a variant that fits on top of fan mountings.

And more money goes to Amazon.

As the GPU is a 5090 I have no excuse not to buy something hopefully professionally made.

But seeing this many variants I am bit pissed that my system builder seems to live in ignorance. Well, they don't carrry noctua fans either.

 

7 minutes ago, Sentos said:

This time I annoyed them enough to use packing foam in liberal amounts, so hopefully it'll startup this time. Anything that moved that should have dented the case and/or broke the sidepanel glass.

The funny thing is my I last PC I bought there they used these foam cushion things to support the 3060 in that one so I didn't even consider they might use 2 cable ties only this time around.

A 5090 should come with Hookers and Cocaine in a Ming Dynasty case from the 14th century.

 

No foam?  What in the actual fuck!?

[Sentos]

12 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

 

A 5090 should come with Hookers and Cocaine in a Ming Dynasty case from the 14th century.

 

No foam?  What in the actual fuck!?

Toxic the foam supposedly was. Yeah.

Edited October 24, 2025 by Sentos
Clarifcation, spelling

[OddOod]

Welcome to the forums!
I use a duct taped roll of pennies. You just need something stable to prop it up. Something that won't tip or buckle

[Pusbucket]

Don't use tower cases is the simplest solution.

I've never had any issues with sagging cpu's or gpu's because I use the components in the orientation they were designed for.

Motherboard horizontal, add-in cards vertical. problem solved.

 

It's a shame that nobody has done much to improve and promote the "desktop" case format.

For decades I've had to use mid-tower cases laid on their side, or spend an outrageous amount for a decent desktop/media center case.

 

Along these lines;

If tower cases have become dominant, why do they still mount all the goodies for a video card on the "bottom" forcing heat to permeate through the PCB.

Makes more sense to flip the components so the stuff and heatsinks are on "top" of the PCB.

All add-in cards are oriented this way because PC components were initially designed to be mounted vertically.

 

/end rant

[Timme]

How about an elegant, minimal, and totally not made-up solution of a supporting wire tied to the top of the case? 
For the boring "support" solution - anything you can call 'wide', but not a cup, because it restricts airflow.

[Sawa Takahashi]

Disclaimer : I did not read all the replies. You are free to call me lazy

 

The GPU sag bracket can be anything as long as it does not create a short circuit, does not compress/elongate easily and do not impair airflow too much.

Examples are 3D printed brackets, a wooden broom handle cut to length, plastic bottles, climbing rope (to suspend to top of the case), tie wraps, etc.

The other altrnative is to use a PCIe raiser that allows you to mount the GPU to the case instead of the motherboard.

Inside the computer case you won't encounter temps over 100C, flames or fire, corrosive or caustic conditions. So, most materials can be used without a worry. If your case has an irregular geometry, you can even mold a resin support that will fit your case perfectly.

Hope this helps

[OddOod]

8 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

Don't use tower cases is the simplest solution.

I like space on my desk

9 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

heat to permeate through the PCB.

I can pretty much guarantee that the same amount of heat will permeate the PCB if you run it upsidedown.

The whole "heat rises" thing is talking about convection (and in still air at that, a couple case fans eliminates that) because of the lowered density of hot air. Whereas heat permeating the PCB will be due to conduction which will happen regardless. 
The reason the fans are on the bottom is so the GPU doesn't eat hot air from the CPU.
 

[Pusbucket]

13 minutes ago, OddOod said:

I like space on my desk

I can pretty much guarantee that the same amount of heat will permeate the PCB if you run it upsidedown.

The whole "heat rises" thing is talking about convection (and in still air at that, a couple case fans eliminates that) because of the lowered density of hot air. Whereas heat permeating the PCB will be due to conduction which will happen regardless. 
The reason the fans are on the bottom is so the GPU doesn't eat hot air from the CPU.
 

A properly designed desktop case would probably yield more desk real estate than the towers I see folks have on their desks.

For years the pc was also my monitor stand, never had issues with desk space.

 

No, the reason the fans and stuff are located where they are is because decades ago when this stuff was initially designed, they were not designed to be mounted horizontally. It really is that simple.

The design of add-in cards hasn't changed whereas the orientation in which they are installed has leading to various problems, otherwise this thread wouldn't exist.

 

Honestly common sense should dictate that mounting the card in a vertical orientation would eliminate ALL the issues concerning GPU/CPU coolers weight and sagging/broken connectors.

 

Personally I think a lot of it has to do with a lack of exposure as all most people see today are tower cases.

I'll wager a fair amount of folks reading this have to stop and think what a "desktop" case is because they have never encountered one.

[Sentos]

I do and I considered just laying it on the side on with the fan exposed over an table edge but airflow by fans would be impacted and I don't want to find out the hard way by how much.

Anyway, system started up, now to do all the installs and drudge work involved in setting up a new system.

By Monday Amazon should have delivered my GPU holders and then I only need to worry about the GPU power socket melting itself. Wait, that is a worry.

[OddOod]

14 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

No, the reason the fans and stuff are located where they are is because decades ago when this stuff was initially designed, they were not designed to be mounted horizontally. It really is that simple.

I... what? Why? How would a vertical mount affect fan placement?

 

16 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

A properly designed desktop case would probably yield more desk real estate than the towers I see folks have on their desks.

Can you link to one that's got a smaller footprint than say, a Phanteks G500 (an already slightly larger case) with similar cooling capacity?

17 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

For years the pc was also my monitor stand, never had issues with desk space.

Fair, but I run my monitors low and my keyboard is pretty close to the lower monitor as well. I have to recline with my arms out to use a computer without causing nerve damage. Not the common usecase, but I believe a valid one. 

20 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

Honestly common sense should dictate that mounting the card in a vertical orientation would eliminate ALL the issues concerning GPU/CPU coolers weight and sagging/broken connectors.

This is completely true. No argument on that point. As long as you transport it flat you could even thin down the PCBs.

 

22 minutes ago, jmwhite33 said:

I'll wager a fair amount of folks reading this have to stop and think what a "desktop" case is because they have never encountered one.

lol, thanks for making me feel old . I still remember the first time I encountered a vertical tower and was confused
 

[OddOod]

4 minutes ago, Sentos said:

airflow by fans would be impacted and I don't want to find out the hard way by how much.

Is there a wall in the way?

[Dedayog]

26 minutes ago, Sentos said:

I do and I considered just laying it on the side on with the fan exposed over an table edge but airflow by fans would be impacted and I don't want to find out the hard way by how much.

Anyway, system started up, now to do all the installs and drudge work involved in setting up a new system.

By Monday Amazon should have delivered my GPU holders and then I only need to worry about the GPU power socket melting itself. Wait, that is a worry.

I'm sorry, are you saying you want to POINT AN EXTERNAL FAN at a 5090?

 

Are you the guy that buys a Ferrari and goes to Walmart for offbrand tires?

 

"As the GPU is a 5090 I have no excuse not to buy something hopefully professionally made."

 

At least have it be classy, and fit the build.

 

Do not jury rig some bullshit after spending stupid money on a 5090.

[thrasher_565]

under volt and limit it to 450w could help

a good psu with transant spikes would be good but ied wate a bit for psu to come out with cable monitoring. 

 

[Pusbucket]

1 minute ago, thrasher_565 said:

under volt and limit it to 450w could help

a good psu with transant spikes would be good but ied wate a bit for psu to come out with cable monitoring. 

 

and that helps with gpu sagging how?

 

Me thinks you replied to the wrong thread. LOL

[thrasher_565]

1 minute ago, jmwhite33 said:

and that helps with gpu sagging how?

 

Me thinks you replied to the wrong thread. LOL

op was asking about melting 12pin

47 minutes ago, Sentos said:

By Monday Amazon should have delivered my GPU holders and then I only need to worry about the GPU power socket melting itself. Wait, that is a worry.

Edited October 24, 2025 by thrasher_565

[Pusbucket]

inexpensive DIY solution;

one of these;

 

and one of these;

 

cut the riser to size with the coupler fully threaded in place so it's just shy of making contact with GPU and then adjust as needed for a secure fit. 

probably cost less than $3.

[Sentos]

2 hours ago, Dedayog said:

I'm sorry, are you saying you want to POINT AN EXTERNAL FAN at a 5090?

 

Are you the guy that buys a Ferrari and goes to Walmart for offbrand tires?

 

"As the GPU is a 5090 I have no excuse not to buy something hopefully professionally made."

 

At least have it be classy, and fit the build.

 

Do not jury rig some bullshit after spending stupid money on a 5090.

Huh? No. Case mounted fans only.

And I tried to get the Liang Li holders installed in a Liang Li case but got told "No way". So I am ordering some "typical random letter Amazon seller" name that isn't to expensive and hopefully can be mounted using the screwholes of the already mounted fans - existing screw out, holder thing on top of hole, slightly longer screw in.
As the case is mostly black with only some RGB, and the things are at least billed as being black it should look fine-ish.

 

2 hours ago, thrasher_565 said:

under volt and limit it to 450w could help

a good psu with transant spikes would be good but ied wate a bit for psu to come out with cable monitoring. 

 

I took the biggest BeQuiet PSU the builder offered. Should be fine on the supply side. I am just worried about ever having to move the power cable myself and hamfisting the re-install.
Funnily enough I am thinking about this: 

(Aqua Ampinel, basically a plug between powersupply and gpu that supposedly does every thing NVIDIA should have built into the power supply of their consumer flagship products)