Point of a GPU backplate?

[willing]

What is the actual purpose of it other than aesthetics?

Always wondered about it but never bothered to ask.

[Princess Luna]

Just now, willing said:

What is the actual purpose of it other than aesthetics?

It offers some protection to the pcb?

[willing]

Oh derp.

[intender]

protection, and also a well designed card will also use the backplate to provide extra rigidity to the card so it doesnt flex, and it can help cool the components on the back of the card.  the problem is that very few cards actually use the backplate for cooling and when they do its implemented poorly. 

[willing]

mmm never knew about the cooling aspect.

[Damascus]

12 minutes ago, Princess Cadence said:

It offers some protection to the pcb?

My evga boii (ftw3) has such a gloriously overkill backplate, the entire thing is just slathered in thermal pads. 

[AskTJ]

• Cosmetics - Gotta make it look cool.
• Cooling - Some have thermal pads on it so they can dissipate some heat, but not much.
• Protection - Protect the PCB from scratches and breaks.

[cooky560]

on every card I've owned with a backplate vs non backplate it seems the reasons are:

 

1.) stability - prevents heavy coolers from causing too much sag (to a point)

2.) cosmetics, people who have windows are more likley to buy a card that doesn't expose the chip (again, to a point, some RGB backplates are taking the mick)

3.) cooling - every test I've done with a backplated card results in lower temps.

[Mick Naughty]

My backplates cool my vram. My backplates are also water cooled. 

 

Offer protection, looks and heat disappation given there are thermal pads.