EVGA Backplate Install for the GTX 780 Ti Classified

The purpose of this article was to explore what an EVGA backplate really was and find out if any of the benefits were real.  According to EVGA the backplate is an optional accessory that helps reinforce the PCB and protect the fragile components from handling damage.  The product also adds a clean look and includes the EVGA logo and model number so everyone will know what you have.  They claim that it will also reduce temps by up to three degrees ans is what got us curious to know more.

Overall we can say that installation was extremely easy and if you believe the included instruction sheet there are four simple steps.  Care should be taken to leave the inner protective plastic in place and if you leave the “remove protective plastic part” to the end there will be no question as to what plastic EVGA is talking about.

These backplates are a true optional accessory and when I reviewed the GTX 780 Ti Classified KPE (Kingpin Edition) I was surprised to see that they included one.  At first I figured this was in response to this being a higher end product and was included to help justify the higher cost.  It wasn’t until I modified my own ACX heatspreader that I realized the backplate was actually required to compensate for the KPE design.  (doh! moment) Also during that review I didn’t consider the backplate to be a cooling accessory considering that the backplate isn’t a traditional heatsink and only scavenges from the backside of the GPU.

Likewise any thermal advantages from this are only realized up until the backplate reaches a saturation point.  For instance our Cryptography benchmark had an ending so you can see a definite thermal advantage which can be measured at the GPU and by the physical temperature of the backplate.  Running a longer benchmark would still allow the GPU to reach the non-backplate temperatures.  It just takes considerably longer for it to happen.  

The question still remains if EVGA backplate accessories a good purchase decision?  Sure, they help dress up your video card and actually do reduce GPU temps.  A side benefit is that if you have an NVdia based graphics card using a reference design PCB there is a strong chance that an EVGA backplate is available for your card.  True, the GPU bios may say [insert vendor name] but in the world of reference cards that doesn’t matter much.

EVGA Backplate Accessories can be purchased from the EVGA website and if your particular card is sold out check back in a few weeks.  Their stocks tend to change like the wind.