AliExpress GPU Backplate Coolers Tested, Mostly Useless

Aliexpress GPU Backplate Coolers
(Image credit: YouTube - der8auer EN)

Der8auer tested two very unusual cooling solutions from Aliexpress aimed at reducing the surface temperature on the backplate of the Best Graphics Cards. However, upon testing with a Gigabyte RX 6900 XT, he found both coolers underwhelming in their execution and provided no tangible improvements to graphics card temperatures.

Backplate cooling is nothing new, but the cooling devices Der8auer showed off are very unusual, being very big and bulky devices with active cooling. This is incredibly overkill for most graphics cards since the backplate (generally) does not house any high-wattage components that would require beefy coolers. The only exception would be the RTX 3090 (non-Ti), which features half of its GDDR6X memory ICs on the rear of the card. But even in this case, passive cooling from a backplate is generally good enough unless you're looking into memory overclocking.

(Image credit: YouTube - der8auer EN)

The first cooling unit Der8auer tested was made entirely out of copper, comprised of two fans installed inside a copper heatsink — made out of 5 large copper sheets stacked on top of each other. The installation mechanism involved zip ties and tape to "securely" mount the cooling device to the GPU backplate.

The next device is even more strange, with a very unusual L-shaped design featuring three very long heatpipes connected to a distribution plate on one end and a heatsink on the other. Der8auer reports that instructions did not come with this model, but apparently, the device uses the same zip tie mounting mechanism as the former device since there are no screw holes or any sophisticated cooling mounts located on the device whatsoever.

(Image credit: YouTube - der8auer EN)

In testing, Der8auer found that both cooling solutions did not live up to expectations, only dropping backplate temperatures on a Gigabyte RX 6900 XT by 5C and 8C, respectively. Even worse, both solutions did not drop GPU temperatures at all, providing no tangible benefits to GPU longevity or performance.

The thermal results demonstrated by Der8auser are probably why exotic backplate cooling is not popular in the DIY space. Not only are the devices usually unnecessary, but they also provide next to no tangible gains at all. If you really need cooler thermals, you would be best served with a liquid-cooled GPU block designed specifically for your GPU that can cool both the bottom and the top of your graphics card if necessary.

Aaron Klotz
Contributing Writer

Aaron Klotz is a contributing writer for Tom’s Hardware, covering news related to computer hardware such as CPUs, and graphics cards.

  • bit_user
    Does anyone know if they used TIM, of any kind? Just curious.

    I think a simple measurement of backplate temperatures should be the first clue as to whether better cooling could be worthwhile.
    Reply
  • kerberos_20
    i used to have backplate cooling on geforce 7800GS AGP (tiny 1 slot cooler), stock cooler wasnt keeping up, so i glued cpu cooler on it (no tim, just glued it on gpu cooler screws behind gpu core xD), it reduced temperature by 10C and let me voltmod it for better overclock :-)
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    "Aliexpress is apparently selling..."

    Stopped reading right there.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    kerberos_20 said:
    so i glued cpu cooler on it (no tim, just glued it on gpu cooler screws behind gpu core xD),
    OMG, what type of glue? Did you know they make adhesive TIM tape? I don't think it's particularly good, but probably better than any glue not expressly designed for the purpose.

    I've used regular heatsink compound on loose heatsinks that I know will remain level (e.g. Raspberry Pi, DVD player, etc.), and it's been fine.
    Reply
  • sitehostplus
    USAFRet said:
    "Aliexpress is apparently selling..."

    Stopped reading right there.
    Don't be knocking those people, you would be amazed at what you can find there. 🤣

    1GG1RC7GV0Y
    Reply
  • Alvar "Miles" Udell
    As useless as those once deemed great devices known as hard drive coolers.
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    bit_user said:
    Does anyone know if they used TIM, of any kind? Just curious.
    They used the pad included with the things.

    If you want the best cooling for the PCB back-side though, the best option is to rip the backplate off and have a fan blow air across the bare PCB: the SMDs have more total surface area than what the thermal pads can touch and you eliminate the thick thermal pads' relatively high thermal resistance altogether.
    Reply
  • kerberos_20
    Alvar Miles Udell said:
    As useless as those once deemed great devices known as hard drive coolers.
    but hdds used to be placed in dead spot with no airflow in case and high heat reduces lifespan of hdd
    Reply
  • bit_user
    kerberos_20 said:
    but hdds used to be placed in dead spot with no airflow in case and high heat reduces lifespan of hdd
    I had a 4 TB 7.2k RPM HDD reach like 58 or 59 C, sitting in open air. I was transferring the contents of a RAID from one set of drives to another (old -> new), and so I didn't have anywhere to put all of the new drives. The operating conditions were specified as < 60 C. If I had gone above that, I wouldn't have been able to make a warranty claim when the drive later encountered uncorrectible errors.
    Reply
  • wifiburger
    Backplate cooling works fine on my side. Had to build my own, before these Aliexpress solutions came around.

    66c for mem temps under mining benchmarks, although the active plate came at later date and didn't want to take things apart for that.

    my 3090 Frankenstein mod :cool:
    https://ibb.co/SPvz7Rr
    Reply