How dangerous GPU sag is actually?

[𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔲𝔰 𝔄𝔠𝔱𝔲𝔞𝔩𝔦𝔰]

Are there any real instances of graphics card dying from sag?

[emoticorpse]

You know, I never found out because with the 2070 I just replaced I had the entire time kept it with one of those horizontal brackets to hold it up. It was an Uphere! brand one I got from Amazon.

I just got a 4070 which is smaller and I just felt like experimenting and just using it without that thing. Gonna see if any sag actually happens over time but it is a smaller card where the 2070 was pretty long.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

It's not just the GPU though, if it's heavy enough to physically sag the card itself then it could also be heavy enough or causing enough stress to do possible damage to the Motherboard. There are very simply fixes for GPU sag, so just use those options.

If this wasn't an issue, Motherboard makers wouldn't go out of their way to reinforce the PCIE slots like they've been doing the last few years on various Motherboards.

[76561199502155650]

you could also always lay your tower pc on its side and use it as a desktop model with your monitor on top of the case, like we use to do in school.

now a days nobody is using cd roms or dvd drives on the computer anyway, so the orientation of the computer doesn't matter as much, but if it really worries you get a GPU support riser or make one with a peice of plexiglass or a plastic cup an cut it to size you need with a pair of snips.

[Viking2121]

Depends on the card, there are some cases of the 4090 cracking at the locking tab effectively killing the card, and some claimed they never moved their systems, So if you got a higher end or overbuilt card, I would look for a way to support it.

Most 2070s aren't really heavy enough to bother, but if you got a good way to support it and looks good, I would.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

They sell all sorts of things to put in your case to stop GPU sag, When you could use something as simple as a pencil, cut to size to hold the weight of the gpu towards the end of the card.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

If you can afford some monster card then you can afford a bracket,

[Illusion of Progress]

I've been increasingly worrying about this very thing myself. Not necessarily with my particular configuration but just in general.

The only graphics card I ever experienced it on to a more-than-slight degree wasn't even the largest. It was my 8800 GT because later cards tended to have more structural integrity despite being larger and heavier because by then the heatsinks had gotten so large they routinely covered the entire graphics card and they were routinely also multiple slots tall. The heatsink were sometimes being affixed to the card in multiple spots (as opposed to just the four screws connecting it around the GPU itself).

Here's my old 8800 GT showing how ti sagged down, and the size of the GTX 560 Ti that replaced it later compared to it.

https://imgur.com/a/2lAkjSh

Despite the replacement being the same size and probably a similar weight (?) it was much more rigid and never sagged down. But the old one sagged as the first picture shows. I Never had problems with it though. Funny enough the one that didn't sag was the only one I've ever had fail on me.

My GTX 1060 actually seemed less rigid than my GTX 560 Ti but it only "drooped" a bit if anything. Not enough I was ever concerned but it made me realize anything much larger and I'd probably want extra support. Many newer cards are both larger and heavier, and the idea alone scares me. My current one has a brace and I'd be terrified to run it without one. I wouldn't trust the supposed metal reinforcement on the PCI Express slot to do much.

And there supposedly are instances of either motherboard slots or graphics card wearing due to the stress of it, yes. Some graphics cards manufacturers also recommend or even require the use of one (usually if included), and state it can cause unnecessary stress over time without it.

There's a channel on Youtube that does graphics card repairs and if I'm not mistaken, I think one of the videos covered the subject in part, and he feels the same way. I think this was it (check his top comment).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E87I3T2gkzE

[[N]ebsun]

Originally posted by $ D@rk Re@per $:

Are there any real instances of graphics card dying from sag?

I don't doubt it... physical stresses are going to cause failure one way or another - the heavier and more leverage applied, the faster the failure will be.

[metamec]

Don't be tempted to find out by taking risks. If money is tight and you can't afford a proper bracket, then get some cheap (plastic!) expandable spacers or cable ties from the hardware store and prevent the sag with those.

[Pocahawtness]

I once had a failed PC diagnosed as a broken copper circuit on the motherboard caused by bending of the board. So, yes, it's possibly dangerous.

[UserNotFound]

A GPU brace need not be expensive, especially when NOT RGB'ed, a simple GPU brace gets the job done easily enough. When I was done building my 2nd rig, and stuck my spare Nitro+ RX 6900 XT in it,

I did find that it was sagging a little, I'd thought of leaving it alone, but it sorta rankle in my mind. So, in the end, I went to Aliexpress and got myself a cheap black aluminum GPU brace/stand/mount for cheap. Works well enough, pic as proof.
https://i.imgur.com/WPg83RI.jpg

[metamec]

Originally posted by UserNotFound:

Works well enough, pic as proof.
https://i.imgur.com/WPg83RI.jpg

Also proof of your glorious cabling skills. Nice work.

[plat]

Originally posted by $ D@rk Re@per $:

Are there any real instances of graphics card dying from sag?

From what I understand, the sight of it is ugly first and foremost. But from what I read, the sag can lead to more permanent damage if the PC is bumped or jolted hard enough. Makes sense to me.

I could see it happening with the higher-end cards cuz they're heavier. My rtx 4070 though is lighter than my gtx 1080 by a fair bit and neither sagged.

Supports start at like 11 USD at Micro Center around here. I've seen some use Legos too.

[Overseer]

It's very dangerous and you better take is serious. Many coolers have become too heavy for the PCB to hold alone. And no its not limited to PCB cracking. That is only the worst you can see. In reality what can happen and is much more likely is you rip memory modules or the GPU from the PCB.
The card should never sag. Install it from the top down with a support before you stand up the case or do a vertical mount with a bracket.

[nullable]

With my 3080 ti I ended up just getting a GPU stand to prop the end up. it might be dumb/excessive, but it was like $12 too. I don't like the idea of sag, so whatever.