Video card - Sagging because of weight, how to support it???

[Jack500]

Hello,

I just installed the new Asus 6970 DCII video card and this thing is a beast as it takes up three slots.

I noticed that the card is sagging at one end because of the weight and I would like to have that end supported somehow.

Question
1. Have any of you come across this problem and have a solution you can share with me?
(I have already thought about leveraging the video card cables to support that end, but it's going to be a no-go)

Please help! As always, thank you for your assistance.

Jack500

 

[jockey]

A little bit of sag is nothing to be concerned about, as long as you don't have a component directly below it that it is coming in contact with. If you are using tool less fasteners to hold the card in the expansion slot, switch over to screws in all three slots. If you are really concerned you could get creative with a piece of plastic attached to the HDD cage.
BTW, that is a nice card. I've been considering upgrading my 5770 to that.

 

[Jack500]

Thanks, but unfortunately, I have a sound card right below it with about 5mm of breathing room in between. That's too close for me.

Couple of other choices I just thought about:
1. Zip tie video cables all the way to the top (pulling the video card up) and through the screw loop in one of my top case fans (not my ideal choice)
2. Buying a wooden dowel, painting it black or wrapping it with foam insulation and supporting the card from the bottom (I like this option better)

Anybody else?

 

[jockey]

What model case do you have? There may be something available from the manufacturer. I know Cooler Master has GPU supports for a couple of their cases.

 

[Jack500]

Corsair 700D

 

[duxducis]

zip tie, plastic thread 2 small plastic hooks

I super glued small (tiny) hook on end of video card and 1 directly on top of case. Attach zip-tie(make maximum loop) to thread, measure the distance and attach to hooks, zip tie is used as tension, slowly pull zip tie until card nice and leveled.

I used smallest stuff i could find all black, low tech solution for my vid card since i attached bigger heat sink to it and big fan, worked great for me.

 

[herpity]

Tie it with cooking twine.

If you use red twine, the sag factor is reduced by over 9000 times.

 

[Jack500]

Thanks guys!

I picked up a 3/4 inch diameter wooden dowel (about 3 feet long) from Lowes and probably will go with that. I may use the zip ties as a backup from up on top.

Clever suggestion using those small plastic hooks! I would be afraid using cooking twine, but that would definitely do the trick. I would like to avoid using anything metal,... just a personal preference, that's all.

 

[herpity]

No, No, Don't using cooking twine. It burns. I was being facetious.


(Same for wood? )

 

[spentshells]

Ninja string, you can find it in most good PC shops.

 

[Jack500]

Ninja string?! Never heard of it.

Well, if I can't use wood, then I'll use a light-weight, hollow metal rod. I've seen them at Lowes also.

 

[leorick]

I'm actually looking for this device but can't find one

This is the PowerColor PowerJack
http://www.powercolor.com/Global/products_Accessories_features.asp?id=1

 

[spentshells]

Ninja string?! Never heard of it.

Well, if I can't use wood, then I'll use a light-weight, hollow metal rod. I've seen them at Lowes also.

sorry ninja wire... scythe makes it.

 

[jockey]

Duct tape and baling wire is the universal fix.
Jack500, I checked your case out online today. I like the way the HDD bays are made. With some good, thoughtful ingenuity, I don't see you not coming up with a functional solution. The GPU only needs support on the far end of its' mounting plate, and really not that much. Have you considered cutting a slot in the dowel rods length to slide over the card, as a support "beam"?

 

[EazyE]

I'm actually looking for this device but can't find one

This is the PowerColor PowerJack
http://www.powercolor.com/Global/products_Accessories_features.asp?id=1

I've looked, and looked, and looked.
I found only 2 places to buy it.

The first place is a website in Canada. So I'm sure you can understand uneasiness about ordering from there. Plus, you have to back-order the product - and it's recorded as "not in stock" at their warehouses.

Regardless, here is the link:
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=54573&vpn=POWER%20JACK&manufacture=PowerColor

The other is in Germany - Knowing German could help a lot since there is no translated version. Also, shipping is a pain when doing it internationally. The site charges about $40 for international shipping. So good luck with that.

But still, here's that link too:
http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/info/p676573_Powercolor-Powerjack-Flexible-High-End-VGA-Karte-Stuetze-Retail.html

 

[Jack500]

Jockey, that's a nice idea, cutting a slot in the dowel! i'll look into that.

However, I will not opt for the wooden dowel and instead will get a 3/4-inch PVC pipe of some sort and use that.

 

[bboiprfsr]

You could try a toilet paper holder roller (spring-loaded) that's adjustable or maybe the cardboard of a towel paper roll (that's cut to designated height) if you want a cheap DIY solution. As with other people's input, you can always try objects at hardware stores (home depot, menards, walmart, etc) to give it structural support, like our highways and bridges do.

As for me, i used a dead hard drive (friggin seagate) that i didn't want to throw a way

http://i.imgur.com/MkrXjtb.jpg

btw, asus triple slot cards quite heavy, you need additional support in the form of a graphics card bracket ($20 to $30) or a cheaper alternative (DIY or using a compatible object with the right height specs) to resolve the sag. gl!