Are Graphics Cards Upside down?

In a standard case I do wonder why they make Graphics Cards with fancy bottoms. I remember 5 years ago when I made my first system, I picked the card in the price range I was working with because it had cool graphics. I was most disappointed when it came to fit it esp as I had a window in my case all I could see was a quite plain PCB.

When ever they show GPU's to buy or the latest model they should just show the top, as in the bottom just the PCB.

I know you can get upside down mobo mount cases, but I have been told they can upset cooling.

If you're particularly worried about seeing the components in your computer you could always buy an open test bench - that way your card is vertical so you can see the funky graphics and there's no case to get in the way ;)

Most graphics cards, in conventional ATX mobos/cases, draw air from underneath them and blow it onto the GPU. Since hot air rises, the air beneath the card will generally be the coolest air available, which helps the efficiency of the cooling. I think the graphics on the cooler shrouds are basically there to look pretty in marketing shots: unless you're using an open bench or a case specifically designed to show off your graphics card, you're just not going to see it...

I have a Silverstone Temjin Evolotion Black Mini and the mobo mount is opposite to the normal fashion. Im having no problems with cooling on my GPU
Also you can get back plates for GPU's to keep the looks nice or find a GPU that already has one.

A lot of new high end graphic cards come with face plates to cover the pcb side so it "looks better and increases performance"

I always found it funny when you see some builds with matching colour components, the tidiest cable managements using the fanciest braided cables and crazy water cooling loops inside a case that has no side window.

What was the point except for that one photo that you posted on an Internet forum to show off your computer E-peen..

Remember BTX case form factor? There's a reason it didn't really go anywhere...

The thing about internal components is: they have to be attached to the motherboard, which 99 times out of 100 is a collection of chips, ports, resistors and capacitors is various garish colours. So even a sexy, fully sheathed GPU is going to be sitting on a naked, lumpy PCB with loads of messy wires hanging out of it.

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Originally Posted by BlackDwarf

Remember BTX case form factor? There's a reason it didn't really go anywhere...

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Not till you reminded me.................Oh wait, that's your point. :)