Over the past couple of years, the one thing that really became popular is the whole idea of mounting your GPU vertically, and while this is something that can be debated as to whether the performance gets affected or not, the process is available if you want to go ahead with it. Thankfully, it is not as complicated as it might seem, but if you are still wondering how to vertically mount GPU, we are going to look into just that so you know what needs to be done and what should be avoided. Let’s not waste time and have a look.
Why Mount A GPU Vertically? (Pros And Cons)
If you are looking to mount your GPU vertically, the process is not at all complicated, but before you go ahead and do it, you need to know about the pros and cons of it. You can look at the pros below so you can have a better understanding.
Vertically mounting the GPU gives a full display of your GPU. It looks excellent and hides some of the cables behind the GPU. You get zero GPU sag with vertical mounting.
Although the pros are convincing, they might not be convincing enough for everyone. So, we are going to take a look at some of the cons, too.
It increases the temperatures as the GPU is pushed very close to the window. Airflow issues. A cheap riser cable can cause performance issues.
Vertical GPU Mount vs Horizontal Mount
A lot of people have been comparing vertical GPU and horizontal GPU mounts. Sure, it all does boil down to your preference, but you have to understand that it is also about the performance and how your GPU is going to hold up. Sure, by going for vertical GPU mount, you are making your GPU look a lot better and eliminating any GPU sag, but this will come at the cost of airflow issues and, therefore, increased temperatures. You will have to ask yourself if this trade-off is something you are willing to go for. So, be sure that you are keeping this in mind.
Things To Consider
When you are about to mount your GPU vertically, there are a few things that you should be considering. Simply put, you need to be certain that you are doing things the right way and without any issues coming your way. So, let’s not waste time and start looking at what you have to consider. Rest assured, we are only making your whole process easier by giving you these suggestions.
Vertical Mount Plate
If you are going ahead with the mounting process, you are going to need a vertical mounting plate. Now, the good news is that most modern cases do come with a vertical mounting plate that you can attach and mount the GPU. However, if your case does not have it, you can always buy a third-party offering from Cable Mod that actually works better than the stock configuration since it leaves enough gap between the fan shroud and the case window for better airflow.
PCIe Riser
The next thing that you are going to need is a PCIe riser cable, which is always an important thing. I would always suggest that you are buying a good quality, shielded PCIe riser cable because it will only help you a lot in getting things done. If you have been looking for something that is solid, this will get the job done.
Your PC Case Compatibility
The last thing that I would ask you to consider is the PC case compatibility. The good news is that if your case fits your GPU without any issues, the vertical GPU mount will work too. But if you want to do it the stock way, you are going to need to have a place in your PC for that mount to happen, or else you will not be able to get things fit. You can check your case’s product page and get all the information and then move forward. Suggested readings:
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How To Mount Your GPU Vertically
Now that we are done talking about the basics, let’s get down to the fun stuff. Here, we are going to actually look for how you can mount your GPU vertically. It is not as complicated as some might suggest, but you do have to be careful as to whether you have access to all the tools and the mount.
#1: Make Sure You Have the Mount
The first thing that I would highly suggest is that you have to make sure that the mount is installed and ready. Most cases ship with these mounts installed by default. Others have mounts available as a separate purchases. Whatever the case with your case is, be sure that you have installed the mount properly, and by that, I mean all the screws in place and tightened securely.
#2: Installing the PCIe Riser Cable
Some cases do not have a PCIe riser cable available by default but worry not; finding these cables is not a difficult thing. Just be sure that you are avoiding the generic cables that are everywhere in the market and going for a shielded offering because that should help you a lot more. Install the cable, route it properly, and make sure that the connection is secure. You do not want any loose connections at this point.
#3: Installing the GPU
Once you have installed the PCIe riser cable and successfully attached it to the GPU mount, the next step involves installing the GPU. This is an important step. You would want to be certain that you are doing it the right way. Once the GPU is seated in the PCIe riser the proper way, you should hear a clicking sound. Once that is done, screw the GPU together with the mount and be sure there is no movement whatsoever in either the GPU or the mount.
#4: Connecting the Cables
The last step is to connect the cables to your GPU, and again, be sure that you are doing it the right way and that the cables are not loose. We have all seen what happens when the cable connections are loose. This is one thing that you really do not want to deal with. In this post, we have covered almost every aspect associated with vertical GPU mounting, so you have to be certain that you are doing it the right way.
Question 1: Does vertical mount GPU affect performance?
No, not really. As long as you are using a good-quality riser cable, you are good to go.
Question 2: Do vertical GPU mounts sag?
Not as long as the vertical GPU mount itself is secured in place and has no sag.
Question 3: Is vertical GPU better for airflow?
No, it is not good for the airflow at all. It restricts the airflow. There are some third-party alternatives that can mitigate this issue.
Question 4: Can you mount 3080 vertically?
Yes, easily. You can even mount an RTX 3090 Ti as long as you have the GPU and the rest of the required equipment.
Question 5: What screw is used to mount a GPU?
You are normally going to need the same screws that are found on the back side of the case. Modern cases have those in thumb-screw options for easier access.
