Graphics card bending

[spixel]

Installed my new sapphire 6870 yesterday and saw that the card was bending, if I look at it from a profile view it is all over the place, not a straight line at all, worst near the end of the card where it just dips down.

Taking a look at it I noticed the PCB is very thin compared to my old 7900gtx and 8800 ultra. It feels very weak and like I could snap the card in half if I don't handle it carefully. I would say its less than 1/2 the thickness.

I have looked on google and people say this is because the cooler is only attached to the card around the graphics core on some cards. This can't be true as my 7900 has a custom cooler and it is still very solid with no signs of bending.

Do all new cards have this thinner pcb, or is it an ATI issue or its only on non reference cards where the manufacturers cheap out on the build quality?

I saw a 'powercolor power jack' designed for this but why on earth should someone have to buy it because of poor build quality? People seem to think the bending is a formality due to the size and weight of graphics cards but my 8800 ultra is much bigger and heavier and doesn't have this problem.

 

[trickson]

Post a picture please .

 

[spixel]

Unable to take a picture

It is very similar to this

http://www.overclock.net/t/789583/video-card-bending

 

[de.das.dude]

poor engineering of the cooler is to fault. you cant really accuse sapphire of great quality IMO. but im pretty sure you wont be able to break the card even if you bent it. these PCBs are tough. Then again dont go on trying that

as you can see in the pic, the top of the cooler is not attatched to the lower PCI bracket and hence it is bending. the cooler isnt supported properly.

 

[trickson]

Unable to take a picture

It is very similar to this

http://www.overclock.net/t/789583/video-card-bending

This IMHO is more due to the alignment of the MB and the case . I do not think that this is the card bending .

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

Even if it is bending slightly it won't affect anything. If you are really worried about it buy a dedicated backplate for it.

http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/m...d/e/k/ek-fc6870-backplate---black-1_600_1.jpg

I have a 8800GTS that basically looks the letter U. haha and it still works great.

 

[spixel]

It is not the cooler, I'm 100 percent certain of that.. its simply down the the PCB being thin. My 7900gtx has a worse designed cooler but the pcb is like a block of wood, impossible to bend at all.

@trickson I think the card is bending, its similar on mine, I can push the card upwards back into place then it dips back down again. The card is not sturdy at all.

 

[de.das.dude]

bad supporting. thats all.

there should be supports in the marked position.

 

[spixel]

Even if it is bending slightly it won't affect anything. If you are really worried about it buy a dedicated backplate for it.

http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/m...d/e/k/ek-fc6870-backplate---black-1_600_1.jpg

There is no screw holes on my card to fit that backplate... I think this must be an issue with non-reference cards then.

I will try to get a picture soon and show the difference in thickness with my other cards.

 

[spixel]

bad supporting. thats all.

there should be supports in the marked position.
http://img.techpowerup.org/120117/1r2ffb.jpg

I don't need support on my 8800 ultra, it is straight without them. Same with my 7900gtx which has no backplace and a custom cooler.

 

[ZenZimZaliben]

Point is, other then looks, it works fine right? So don't worry about it. Like I said I have a 8800gts that looks like a horseshoe and it works fine. You could try warranty or rma although if the card works I doubt they take it back, so you may need to help it die.

 

[spixel]

Point is, other then looks, it works fine right? So don't worry about it. Like I said I have a 8800gts that looks like a horseshoe and it works fine. You could try warranty or rma although if the card works I doubt they take it back, so you may need to help it die.

It seems to work fine but I don't like the idea of the card being under strain, and having extra pressure on the pci-e slot. Like I said the card feels weak and like it could snap at any moment where its plugged into the board.

Anyone here with 6870's or other ATI cards also have this problem? Take a look in your case...

 

[eidairaman1]

bad supporting. thats all.

there should be supports in the marked position.
http://img.techpowerup.org/120117/1r2ffb.jpg

looks like improper alignment of the motherboard with the case/PCI slots.

Loosen the motherboard and pci card slot screws and move the motherboard up a few mm to cm then tighten the screws back down.

 

[qubit]

I think you're right to be concerned about it. The bending causes constant mechanical stress which is likely to cause early PCB failure of the solder joints or the board itself could crack eventually. With all the heating and cooling of the card, it really amplifies the problem.

Return it if you can.

EDIT

I've just noticed the following post and I'd like to second this. It could still just be a bendy card in the end, but it should be tried.

looks like improper alignment of the motherboard with the case/PCI slots.

Loosen the motherboard and pci card slot screws and move the motherboard up a few mm to cm then tighten the screws back down.

 

[spixel]

looks like improper alignment of the motherboard with the case/PCI slots.

Loosen the motherboard and pci card slot screws and move the motherboard up a few mm to cm then tighten the screws back down.

It is not bad alignment. Its the card .

 

[brandonwh64]

They make something like this.

 

[niko084]

Very common odds are it will not be an issue.

The PCB isn't sturdy enough to keep a straight line with the weight and lack of rear support, the heatsink design and lack of backplate also puts all the stress against the pcb, allowing it to bend like such.

Think about it this way, take a piece of paper and hold it the long way away from your hand, you will easily notice the paper bends down at the other end, it's own weight is too much for it to handle, now go ahead and tape a piece of cardboard full length from one end to the other, problem gone. Why? Because the cardboard is sturdy enough to support it's own weight.

If it's a concern you can pretty easily get sheets or sticks of ABS and build yourself a support bracket with very basic tools.

 

[eidairaman1]

It is not bad alignment. Its the card .

you seem to want to argue, well put your old card in and take the same snap shot kid. Just remember all cards are built differently, cards flexing have alot to do with the motherboard not being properly aligned with the pci slots. but it seems u want to be lazy and not do what i suggested.:shadedshu

 

[spixel]

you seem to want to argue, well put your old card in and take the same snap shot kid.

If I take a picture its not for you,I don't need to prove anything

How could the motherboard possibly not be alligned assuming it is screwed into the case.

And if you read it properly you would know that that picture is not mine.

 

[eidairaman1]

If I take a picture its not for you,I don't need to prove anything

How could the motherboard possibly not be alligned assuming it is screwed into the case.

minor variance in cases- they are not exact but an approximation, ive had to do it in many builds and its a step i take to prevent card flexing.

 

[spixel]

They make something like this.

http://www.legitreviews.com/images/reviews/1355/powercolor_support.jpg

Where is the metal plate on that card to secure onto the case?

 

[niko084]

Where is the metal plate on that card to secure onto the case?

Take another look at the picture, it's simply an adjustable stand that supports the card from the bottom of the case, something like this could be very easily fabricated as well, heck you could even support the back of the card slightly from the power cable feeding it, just zip tie it up higher a bit to provide a little support it doesn't take much.

 

[eidairaman1]

Where is the metal plate on that card to secure onto the case?

the back of the card where your outputs are connected.

 

[spixel]

Take another look at the picture, it's simply an adjustable stand that supports the card from the bottom of the case, something like this could be very easily fabricated as well, heck you could even support the back of the card slightly from the power cable feeding it, just zip tie it up higher a bit to provide a little support it doesn't take much.

Lol I know, but look at the far left of the graphics card. It is missing the metal plate and 2 screws. All cards dip before it is secured to the case there.

the back of the card where your outputs are connected.

The card is missing the plate, I know where it should be.

 

[niko084]

Lol I know, but look at the far left of the graphics card. It is missing the metal plate and 2 screws. All cards dip before it is secured to the case there.

Someone removed it, probably due to alignment issues.
Pretty rare the issues are that bad but it can happen.

Again this isn't much of a concern... Support the back of your card up a bit if it's bothers you.