Nowadays, every respectable GPU comes with a backplate upon purchase. If you’re curious about what they are and if they’re beneficial, you’re in the right spot.
If you bought a graphics card within the past five years, you have likely encountered a backplate but probably didn’t give it much thought. This is likely because its purpose hasn’t been explained properly.
So, what is a rear plate?
In short, it’s a plate (to state the obvious) that goes to the back of your graphics card. Its purpose is to keep the graphics card in shape, as modern GPUs usually come with substantial PCBs and even more massive coolers.
It’s worth pointing out that mid-range and budget-friendly cards generally still aren’t at the scale of enormous 3-fan enthusiast-grade cards as far as cooler dimensions is concerned.
Even for cards that don’t necessarily require a backplate, having one wouldn’t be a harmful thing. On the other hand, if your graphics card didn’t include a backplate, there’s no actual need to obtain one. Your GPU will function perfectly fine without it.
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Aesthetics
However, this protection isn’t the primary purpose of a backplate. The most obvious use, and perhaps its most essential one, is that it covers up the PCB. Many people appreciate backplates for this reason.
Colored lighting can also be added to the backplate. This is ideal for people who like to tinker with their rig’s aesthetics and improve the interior of their PC case.
It could even be argued that RGB lighting is the biggest selling point of a backplate, and we couldn’t agree more. If you’re an RGB aficionado, then a GPU backplate is unquestionably worth it. Its ample surface area will allow you to illuminate the inside of your PC case exactly how you want.
Cooling
Another key point when considering whether or not GPU backplates are worthwhile is the supposed heat-related benefit.
Since backplates initially emerged, people have pondered whether they would aid in cooling a graphics card or solely heat it up. There seems to be no universal answer; it primarily depends on the composition of the backplate material.
As you might have surmised, plastic backplates aren’t particularly efficient at heat dissipation. At the opposite end of the spectrum, we have metal backplates. Logic would suggest that this is a solid cooling solution, but you might be surprised to learn that it actually isn’t.
There are also backplates made using different materials, such as graphene, but they typically all produce the same results.
As this is a hotly debated topic, there have been numerous tests over the years, and, unfortunately, we have to report that they have largely been indeterminate.
Despite some backplates featuring extensive contact areas and thermal pads that function as heat dispersers, it’s still impossible to give a definitive answer.
Finally, and this is important to point out, any cooling or heating brought on by the backplate will only result in a decrease or increase of the temperature by a few fractions of a degree. Essentially, for better or worse, the backplate won’t be much of a factor in your GPU’s thermal.
So, is a graphics card backplate beneficial?
Like many inquiries related to your PC, this comes down to personal preference. If you have a modern graphics card, the decision will likely have already been made for you unless you’re planning on removing it manually, which is quite pointless.
If you’re an RGB enthusiast, you will probably find a backplate to be worth the money and will be able to customize it to your heart’s content. If you’re buying a high-end premium graphics card, then a backplate is strongly advised.
