The graphics card is too heavy to bend or damage the video memory of the RTX 20/30 series
In recent years, as graphics card performance has grown increasingly robust, factors such as power consumption, heat generation, volume, and weight have skyrocketed. Many gamers have noticed that, with prolonged use, the PCBs of some graphics cards tend to exhibit slight bending, with higher-end models being more susceptible to this issue.
According to TomsHardware, a German computer repair technician named KrisFix recently shared a video online, claiming that GeForce RTX 2080 Ti cards are prone to damage from excessive bending towards the end of their usage, using damaged products to explain the root cause of the problem. The issue arises from the prolonged downward pressure causing GDDR6 memory modules to lose their connection with the soldering points on the PCB, particularly near the PCIe x16 interface, which experiences the most severe pressure.
(Image credit: YouTube – KrisFix-Germany)
KrisFix noted that, in addition to the stress-induced bending, temperature fluctuations during graphics card operation accelerate the fracturing of contact points in the GDDR6 memory modules. In the showcased GeForce RTX 2080 Ti card, several contact points in the bottom area’s three memory chips exhibited oxidation issues, and the PCB itself had subpar soldering. However, KrisFix ultimately succeeded in repairing the graphics card.
Despite being a product released in 2018, the GeForce RTX 2080 Ti still boasts impressive performance, and there is no shortage of transactions in the second-hand market. If this situation is accurate, it implies that, in the coming years, high-end GeForce RTX 30/40 series cards with three-slot or thicker profiles and AMD Radeon RX 6000/7000 series cards may face similar issues. This highlights the importance and necessity of graphics card brackets, which not only serve as decorative and visually appealing elements but can genuinely prolong the lifespan of graphics cards.
