How I fixed my sagging GPU. Functional but looks are debatable

[lexidobe]

My GTX 970 was sagging badly because of the weight of an EK waterblock and backplate. I feel like the sagging is bad for the PCIe slot on the motherboard, at very least. This is how I fixed it.  It will be temporary until I find a more elegant way to support it. This piston is from a Honda 1.7 liter engine that I am rebuilding. Any input on other ways to support it would be welcome. Maybe it's just me, but I think that this fix looks surprisingly descent. 

[Guest]

@Mnpctech sells support brackets

https://mnpctech.com/gpu-support-bracket/

[lexidobe]

1 minute ago, deXxterlab97 said:

@Mnpctech sells support brackets

https://mnpctech.com/gpu-support-bracket/

Good idea but this is not a reference card, this is an EVGA GTX 970 FTW.

[FAQBytes]

You should just go all out with a car parts/racing theme to pull it all together. Mostly just paint mods at this point. Paint the case white with black diagonal racing stripes.

[lexidobe]

Just now, FAQBytes said:

You should just go all out with a car parts theme to pull it all together.

Don't tempt me lol.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, lexidobe said:

Good idea but this is not a reference card, this is an EVGA GTX 970 FTW.

Looking at the pics of non ref cards they seem to support well with different cards

[lexidobe]

Just now, deXxterlab97 said:

Looking at the pics of non ref cards they seem to support well with different cards

That is a good idea. Is the sag bad for the motherboard slot or video card?

[gcubed]

Please tell me you are supporting a GTX card with a piston from a GTO.

 

[lexidobe]

1 minute ago, gcubed said:

Please tell me you are supporting a GTX card with a piston from a GTO.

 

Piston from a Civic.

[gcubed]

3 minutes ago, lexidobe said:

Piston from a Civic.

 

Have you gone insane? That could destroy Causality. OMG!!!!!! YOU DIDN'T DO THE MATH!

 

[gcubed]

On a more serious note: Paint it black to match your MB with some blue highlights to match your cooling, and then slap a case badge on the top.

 

[MilfShake]

1 hour ago, lexidobe said:

That is a good idea. Is the sag bad for the motherboard slot or video card?

I'm thinking it is bad for the card itself, because foot of the PCB (i don't know what it's called) that plugs into the PCIE slot is very thin and I don't think it can support as much weight as the solid PCIE slot on the motherboard.

[lexidobe]

3 hours ago, MilfShake said:

I'm thinking it is bad for the card itself, because foot of the PCB (i don't know what it's called) that plugs into the PCIE slot is very thin and I don't think it can support as much weight as the solid PCIE slot on the motherboard.

            That sounds about right.

[Mnpctech]

Love the piston! would fit my build theme nicely here, https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/561811-cooler-master-mastercase-racing-porsche-917-le-mans-tribute/#comment-7389806

[Corrupt_Liberty]

16 hours ago, MilfShake said:

I'm thinking it is bad for the card itself, because foot of the PCB (i don't know what it's called) that plugs into the PCIE slot is very thin and I don't think it can support as much weight as the solid PCIE slot on the motherboard.

It's called an edge connector. And they are a lot stronger than you might think.  I have seen the slots ripped off of motherboards though.  That's why a lot of high end boards are now coming with steel reinforced PCIE slots.  Just do a search for PCIE support bracket.  You are bound to find something that will work for your specific situation.  

[Walt]

18 hours ago, lexidobe said:

My GTX 970 was sagging badly because of the weight of an EK waterblock and backplate. I feel like the sagging is bad for the PCIe slot on the motherboard, at very least. This is how I fixed it.  It will be temporary until I find a more elegant way to support it. This piston is from a Honda 1.7 liter engine that I am rebuilding. Any input on other ways to support it would be welcome. Maybe it's just me, but I think that this fix looks surprisingly descent. 

Take a look in this shop:

http://s.aliexpress.com/Q7j2yMVf

I know these are fake but they work fine