HumanSmokeReference card with backplate - now that's something I'd like to see become a trend.

LAN_deRf_HALooks like a new cutout pattern on the bracket.

HumanSmokeReference card with backplate - now that's something I'd like to see become a trend.

radrokThe cheaper the PCB is, the better, Nvidia!



I honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

radrokThe cheaper the PCB is, the better, Nvidia!

I honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

THE_EGGSome backplates can help spread the heat around a bit (if it is set up to do this though with thermal pads or the like). But yes in most cases they aren't all that functional.

radrokI honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

HumanSmokeAs someone who has to clean a lot of computers, I'd say that backplates make cleaning graphics cards much easier- so I judge that as a functional attribute as far as I'm concerned.

radrokEhm what? You can just clean computers with compressed air, backplate or not, it will make no difference.

thebluebumblebeeIn image 3 of 4, the "980" has 2x6 pin. In image 4, it looks like it has 1x6 and 1x8 pin connectors. Something's not right.

radrokThe cheaper the PCB is, the better, Nvidia!



I honestly don't get what's all this fuss about backplates. They aren't functional in any way :|

btarunrThe only difference here is a metal backplate decking up the card. This backplate isn't cooling anything, and traces reveal that the card is indeed holding just 8 memory chips, confirming its 256-bit wide GDDR5 memory interface. The GeForce GTX 980 is based on NVIDIA's new GM204 silicon, a derivative of the company's new "Maxwell" architecture, which made its debut with the GeForce GTX 750 Ti. The package of GM204 looks roughly as big as a GK104. The card draws power from a pair of 6-pin PCIe power connectors, and uses a 4+1 phase VRM to condition power.
Source: VideoCardz

LionheartAesthetics & heat dissipation? o_O

radrokBut you guys are free to ask for backplates, I'll be asking for better PCB components, which Nvidia hasn't been delivering in generations.

1d10tI doubt it.nVidia made an incremental changes about power delivery.



They implement better dual-channel IC control voltage regulation module VRM (red boxes),but downsides is they ditch analog-digital VRM control and replaces with full digital (green box).Still using Foxconn Magic R22 buck converter,which is clearly inferior compare to Coiltronics, though they reduced down to 4 and add some +1 as backup.
This would translate nVidia is strictly-limitting power at certain value and forbidding user to overclock them.Even 5% OC could be impossible with reference cards.

radrokIt has no memory chips on the backside and it is not making contact with any heat-generating part.

But you guys are free to ask for backplates, I'll be asking for better PCB components, which Nvidia hasn't been delivering in generations.

1d10tI doubt it.nVidia made an incremental changes about power delivery.



They implement better dual-channel IC control voltage regulation module VRM (red boxes),but downsides is they ditch analog-digital VRM control and replaces with full digital (green box).Still using Foxconn Magic R22 buck converter,which is clearly inferior compare to Coiltronics, though they reduced down to 4 and add some +1 as backup.
This would translate nVidia is strictly-limitting power at certain value and forbidding user to overclock them.Even 5% OC could be impossible with reference cards.

AnimalpakConsidering the better and improved power delivery system i think we will see a dual GTX 980 for summer 2015.

1d10tThis would translate nVidia is strictly-limitting power at certain value and forbidding user to overclock them.Even 5% OC could be impossible with reference cards.