How much heat does a backplate really dissipate?

[crispybagel]

I have a backplate for my 980, not a aluminium one but an acrylic one. Now that i got a another 980 running SLI beneath it (1 slot apart) the upper card is obviously running hotter (about 15 degrees). Has anyone cared to test the heat dissipation effect of an alu/acrylic backplate compared to none at all? I assume that test mostly effects temperatures while running SLI as i do.

My bottom card has no backplate mounted yet but it's ordered.

[Guest Kloaked]

It doesn't dissipate heat, it just acts as a heat spreader so the air moving around the case (or your room if you have an open chassis) will take care of the heat.

 

But it's not a significant number and isn't necessary. It's mainly for looks and support.

[UnlimitedTMD]

From what I`ve heard it`s just for aesthetics, but if your backplate is touching the back of the PCB with thermal pats, it may help

[pwn_intended]

An acrylic backplate would likely increase temps a little bit. Aluminum ones provide a little bit of dissipation. In either case, the performance difference would be negligible, and backplates are pretty much entirely cosmetic.

[Vivilacqua1]

Not much, but a little. It's more there for style and support of the card.

 

EDIT- The top card is probably hotter because of the other card beneath it putting out loads of heat, and so it's fan can only pick up warmer air.

[crispybagel]

It doesn't dissipate heat, it just acts as a heat spreader so the air moving around the case (or your room if you have an open chassis) will take care of the heat.

 

But it's not a significant number and isn't necessary. It's mainly for looks and support.

From what I`ve heard it`s just for aesthetics, but if your backplate is touching the back of the PCB with thermal pats, it may help

Heatspreader might be a better word for it, i assume it picks up the heat from the components of the card and spreads it evenly over the backplate rather than just letting the higher temps from the core move from 1 position straight up. Aswell as what you said, for cards like the ASUS 980ti or watercooled cards backplates would serve to dissipate heat since it's actually connected to the PCB with thermal pads.

[Enderman]

it will only dissipate if it is contacting the PCB with thermal pads

how much it dissipates will depend on the thickness of the backplate

[Bl00dgod]

2-3°C reduced heat depending if the backplate is connected via thermal pads

but mostly its for looks and to "protect" the backside

[crispybagel]

it will only dissipate if it is contacting the PCB with thermal pads

how much it dissipates will depend on the thickness of the backplate

2-3°C reduced heat depending if the backplate is connected via thermal pads

but mostly its for looks and to "protect" the backside

I'll see how much it differs when it arrives, hopefully a little bit aswell, although i mostly do it for the looks, temperature drop would be "a little bonus"