Ok,

I've asked this somewhere else before but never got an answer.

With multiple GPUs on a board, this leads eventually to drooping of the cards from their weight. I've read of different "suggestions" to try and help with this but does anyone know of an actual product we can purchase that will support the distal end of the GPU?

There is something out there called the GPU Extend Jack but it's only for 1 GPU. What do you do about 3-4 of them?

I know there is 1 CPU case that places an extra bar in it to support multiple GPUs but I'm looking for a aftermarket add on.

Some time ago I saw a description for a vertical pole like a shower curtain with different shelves to support multiple GPUs. Unfortunately I didn't book mark the page and can't seem to find it with a google search.

Anyone have any ideas or know what I'm talking about?

Thanks

Zalster

Yea, I've seen them, but don't have a clue what the actual name would be something like "PCI Spreader" or Separator.

Probably was more prevalent on old servers where they had multiple SCSI or ISA controllers which where physically big. So search for SCSI and ISA too.

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I can't point you to anything specific, but try looking for GPU or PCI-e "retainer" or "retention bracket". My T7400's manual calls it a "card retention device".

Have found some items with searchstring
"VGA Card retention bracket"

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- Performance is not a simple linear function of the number of CPUs you throw at the problem. -

From what you said I think you are looking for a PCIe card retention bracket. So that the end of the card will fit into the card supports in the case?
One issue I see you may run into is that a "Full-Length PCIe card" is defined as having a maximum length of 312.00mm & your GPU may already be exceeding that. I do see a design in my head that would work for an adjustable bracket, but I can't say I have seen anything like that. Something like

But with a 2nd piece that slides for adjustment.

EDIT: Also I remember something called a cardkeeper, but it's main function was to keep the cards in the slot when the machine moved around.

I kind of laughed when I saw this, but I imagine it is similar to the device you found. Power Jack Which you could use if you put a support between each of your 4 cards before using it.

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That CardKeeper looks like a good plan, should be easy to make a bracket to tie each card together and attach the end to the case for extra support.

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I like their idea but after looking at the designs of those thing, looks like they were initially done for single slot cards , half height and cards that don't have SLI or Power Pins opposite the PCIe slot.

The largest one they have completely covers the entire front (opposite PCIe slot)

The idea is sound, but I think they need to redesign these things. :(

Thanks anyway, gives me ideas on things to try

I would think you could make something like a pole running from floor to ceiling of your case with sideways members at the appropriate height for the ends of the cards to rest on. Kind of like a wide, stubby fork where you can make the tines adjustable. Or fixed, if you measure the needed heights from the floor of the case carefully enough.

Kind of like this:
__
||
||... |VGA
||=====
||... |VGA
||=====
||... |VGA
||=====
||
--

where the cards rest on the ends of the ==== and the whole thing is (maybe) spring mounted vertically or bolted to the case top and bottom. (Had to use ... for spacing).

Just don't make it out of metal!

BTW: I think the HAF 942 case comes with a plastic gizmo for supporting long heavy cards.

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For that you could get a threaded rod from the hardware and then use a pair of plastic washers between some adjustment nuts for each card.

If there are hard drive bays, or the mounting points for removed drive cages, by the ends of the cards. That might be the easiest way to rig up some other form of brackets.

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SETI@home classic workunits: 93,865 CPU time: 863,447 hours
Join the [url=http://tinyurl.com/8y46zvu]BP6/VP6 User Group[

I have two ideas, one a bad idea and another one not quite as bad.

The bad idea is to spend $3K on a gigabyte waterforce and then turn around and return it but then keep the pogo stick. But you didn't hear me tell you that.

Or do a search on ebay for Graphics card support bracket brace holder frame dual multi gpu power jack pc

The GPUs are water cooled? If so could you just reroute the lines so they go to the top of the case where you can tie them down to take some of the weight?

I see this in the show and tell thread
http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/show_user.php?userid=256431 Maybe you can just buy the support bar for a box that has one, then modify it?

EDIT .... Opps the right link http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=73909&postid=1562990

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Nope air cooled.

.. or the extra power wires they need?

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They face 180 degrees from the Mother Board so that is why I don't think the CardKeeper will work. Unless they modify their product.

Making a bracket to zip-tie the power wires going upwards should be relatively easy. It's not like you need to support the entire card, just give it a little help.

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Here's an idea, motherboard placement. All motherboards have a little slack in the screw holes for mounting. the motherboard to case pan too.

I have seen before that when you put cards in they don't perfectly align with their mounting hole, so you just push them that 0.5mm to put in the screw. all is good.

But I have seen card errors before, notably my DX4 with constant crashes, 3 warranty replacement VESA cards, still the same, then noticed the alignment, little wiggle of the motherboard, problem solve.

Point is, a 0.5mm misalignment could be give the appearance of a card droop when you mount the card, 0.5mm over a 5 inch wide card could be noticeable.

So just try to "Wiggle it, just a little bit" ... I forget the rest of the words to song, LOL.

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Hi Zalster,

Sounds a bit like the GPU support from a Coolermaster HAF-X case.

I have two of those cases, and find the GPU bracket doesn't actually work with double width cards.

In fact most of the Coolermaster add on bit don't work for me:-/ like the fan shroud that is supposed to blow air over the GPU's from the door fan.. it fouls the GPU's, and another shroud that's supposed to also redirect air from the front to rear of the case simply wont fit if all the drive bays are occupied as the sata & power cables for the drives get in the way..

From what I understand of the GPU droop problem, GPU's with a backplate that are properly screwed into the case rear don't actually droop, its the GPU's lacking the solid backplate that are more prone to that.

Regards,

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Cliff,
Been there, Done that, Still no damm T shirt!

Thanks Cliff,

I just ordered the backplates for the 980s today from NewEgg so should have them in a day or 2. Hopefully that will help. I'm thinking about just getting some string and using that to support the end of the cards to keep them from sagging.

What ever works right?

Zalster

Hi Zalster,

Sounds a bit like the GPU support from a Coolermaster HAF-X case.

I have two of those cases, and find the GPU bracket doesn't actually work with double width cards.

In fact most of the Coolermaster add on bit don't work for me:-/ like the fan shroud that is supposed to blow air over the GPU's from the door fan.. it fouls the GPU's, and another shroud that's supposed to also redirect air from the front to rear of the case simply wont fit if all the drive bays are occupied as the sata & power cables for the drives get in the way..

From what I understand of the GPU droop problem, GPU's with a backplate that are properly screwed into the case rear don't actually droop, its the GPU's lacking the solid backplate that are more prone to that.

Regards,

I certainly agree about the GPU support bracket, it's useless (I have 2 of them 942's as well).

I will disagree about the GPU fan shroud though, even if my triple GPU rig has had a section of it cut off, as it certainly helps keeping mine cooler (when lined up properly) than without it, but then again I only use mid-range GPU's here (nothing spectacular anyway).

I have seen people though who have carved small pieces of thin timber to do the job with heavy oversize cards (there were a lot of them around back in the old days).

Cheers.

Hi Zalster,

What brand of 980's do you have? I'd have thought most brands would have the backplane as standard on a high end GPU.

I'll certainly steer clear of any manuf that's to tight to fit a backplane as standard..


Hell even my old 760's had backplanes on em:-)

Best of luck with the newegg kit, and yup whatever works it is:-) Even a couple or so plastic coat hangers [the bottom part that actually holds the clothes] cut em off the hanger and case dependant they could make good GPU props:-)

Regards,

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Cliff,
Been there, Done that, Still no damm T shirt!