Heat is the sworn enemy of computer components like CPUs and GPUs.
That makes the coolers their greatest ally.
So, without further ado, lets begin!
Go through our epic guide toGPU hotspot Temperature.
What is GPU Clearance?
The length of your graphics card seems straightforward enough.
It must be shorter than your PC case to fit, well, duh.
These elements create complications that require your utmost attention.
The width can be measured inmillimetersorslots, which further complicates things.
Single-slot GPUs are almost extinct, whereas triple-slot models are reserved for only the most elite GPUs.
Meanwhile, dual-slot graphics cards are the most widespread, and their widths vary from2.2 to 2.75 slots.
So, how do you know if your graphics card is going to fit your PC case?
Here is our separate interesting post onhow to fix GPU artifacting.
Once youve found it, navigate to the section that explains the space for GPU clearance.
verify your graphics card meets these requirements to avoid any compatibility issues that may arise.
That way, youll know what you might and cannot purchase.
While its not a foolproof solution, it can undeniably aid your research.
Does Small Clearance Affect GPU Performance?
you oughta confirm theres proper airflow through all the components in the case to maximize the performance.
But what would actually happen if there was no clearance for the GPU?
How much of a performance hit will the PC take when you suffocate the graphics card?
Then installed a big graphics card EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Tiin a way that was almost touching the mid-plate.
I ran theHeaven benchmarkwith 8 times MSAA, Tessellation set to extreme and the Preset to ultra.
Also, the room temperature at the time of the test was15 C, which directly impacted the results.
I noted down the GPU temperature after running the benchmark for 10 minutes.
After that, I overclocked the GPU by increasing the power limit from100% to 120%.
Finally, I removed the computer case side panel and wrote down the results.
But never fire off the graphics card with obstructed airflow and the radiator on the front of the case.
Itll definitely reduce its lifespan.
Read more ondoes GPU artifacting mean defective.
How Much Clearance Do Multi-Graphics Card Systems Need?
If you are doing Crossfire or SLI, youll have to install all the GPUs into the motherboard serially.
The more graphics cards you use, the more temperature will rise, requiring more clearance.
For the first test, I only installed the GTX 1060 at the top.
There was about 2.5 cm of space between the cards.
What to Do When a Graphics Card Doesnt Fit in the Case?
These are available on Amazon for as low as $17.
A PCI Express Riser cable is basically an extension for your graphics card.
It extends the point to which your GPU or any PCIe component can connect to your motherboard.
FAQs
How much height clearance for GPU?
The shroud/chassis can add3 to 5 mmmore.
How is GPU clearance calculated?
GPU clearance is calculated through its height and thickness.
What is the danger zone for GPUs?
Adequate clearance is vital for proper airflow.
It prevents overheating, and protects the components from potential damage.
Ive also described what you have to do when a graphics card doesnt fit in the PC case properly.
