Graphics card backplate

[Ion4545]

Hello ive been wondering if backplate's on graphics cards increase cooling performance as acting like a heatsink or the decrease performance because they insulate heat and build up in components. would love to hear some feedback

 

[shadowbyte]

depends on the backplate

some make contact with the PCB and act as a heatsink, aiding cooling

 

[Ion4545]

so only if the backplate is touching the pcb it will act as a heatsink

[shadowbyte]

2 minutes ago, Ion4545 said:

so only if the backplate is touching the pcb it will act as a heatsink

that's the idea

[alexhelvetica]

Backplates are for looks, in most cases. 

[HPWebcamAble]

They make the card hotter, if anything. But it's not by much.

 

The only purpose is to make the back of the card look better

[Imakuni]

26 minutes ago, Ion4545 said:

Hello ive been wondering if backplate's on graphics cards increase cooling performance as acting like a heatsink or the decrease performance because they insulate heat and build up in components. would love to hear some feedback

Backplates are just for looks. In fact, they even lower thermal performance most of the time. That's why many of them have holes in it, to allow the cards to breath.

[Zyndo]

Back plates are for rigidity and protection (mostly dust). That's what they advertise anyway. But so long as you don't make a habit of throwing your computer out of a moving car, this doesn't apply to most people.

SOME backplates are specially designed as heatsinks, and can often do their job adequately. But a backplate that isn't designed for this or doesn't have perforations in it will often act as a insulator instead. Realistically it doesn't add much heat (if any) to the card, but it is something to be aware of.