Heavy GPU block? No worries...

[nexxo]

This was a reply post in another thread, but I thought I might as well slap it here:

AGP cards can take quite a bit of weight. But everyone can relate to the anxiety caused by seeing your precious $400,-- plus state-of-the-art graphic card bending scarily in it's AGP slot, under the load of a heavy waterblock...

So just to be sure (and because Cardkeepers simply do not offer the support, or look l33t enough), I made my own GPU card support that will, well, support a GPU card burdened by a heavy block (not to mention the added tension of any bent tubing looping from block to mobo):

My (pathetic) Sketchup design:



The end result:







(not yet screwed down here, I had to order the appropriate screws).



I've since installed the blocks but I haven't taken any new pics yet --I'll post some this weekend if people want. It works a treat!

[quicksilverXP]

Haha... Damn it. I just bought a Cardkeeper. That looks so much better.

[Razor6]

That does look very good, you should sell the design to someone.

One question though, how do you keep the pcb or any components on it from touching the aluminum? I was thinking a thin strip of foam tape would be good for that purpose.

[nexxo]

The GPU card has a bit of rubber trim along its edge; the kind used for blow holes:



It's a perfect fit on both the card and the 5mm wide slot in the card support. It makes for a snug fit and keeps the aluminium nicely away from the electronic components.

[Razor6]

Ahh even better.

[Titan151]

Very nice,

Did you draw that in Pro-e or some other cad program?

heh, don't forget to put that waterblock back on.

[redleader]

I seriously want one of those. If you're not in it for the money (which would be a good idea since I don't think theres any ), consider pitching the idea to someone like DD who sells large GPU blocks.

[bigben2k]

An excellent idea!

How did you fabricate it?

[nexxo]

@Titan151: The idea was drawn in Sketchup. I really would like to master a decent CAD program, but my old PII 266 is rather slow and basically, I'm an amateur even at something as user friendly as Sketchup...

@redleader: Problem is I have limited access to tools, otherwise I'd make you one, no problem. If DD is interested, I'm happy for them to put it in production for a very reasonable royalty. I'm just in it for the mods!

@bigben2k: The whole thing consists of two aluminium parts: the bracket, and an extruded piece of aluminium for the slot:



The extruded piece only came in the right dimensions (5mm deep, 5mm wide) as an "E" shaped strip. This is not necessarily a problem; with modern GPU cards you can use one "trench" as a guide for the GPU power cable, and the other to slot the card into. In my case, however, I only wanted the one so it was time for some Dremel action!



Then I cut in a slot to allow the bracket and resulting "C" piece to slide together:



Et voila: slotted together. It is a remarkably solid fit. I'm planning on slamming two M3 countersunk hex screws in, even though contrary to my own expectations it doesn't really seem to need it... I already fitted the block, tubing and everything, and it feels solid as a rock. Someone also suggested adding metal glue along the inside of the C piece. It depends on just how heavy you expect your card to be, I suppose.



Add some rubber trim on the card, and slot the thing over. You need M3 x 16mm screws by the way, to fit the bracket to the case (using the holes where normally the card fixing screws go). Nyloc nuts secure the bracket, and the card fixing plates in place.

[bigben2k]

Damn that's just so inspiring... Might have to re-plan my whole case around this!

Thanks for the great work!

[Razor6]

Is the brace made from a sheet of aluminum using the dremel?

[Blackeagle]

More pics would be great, most of all at a lower resolution, loading this thread isn't anything like quick on a 56K.

A very nice bit of work. Interested in seeing it with the WB & lines on the card.

[psychofunk]

Holy crap that is pimp!!! Can you post a full size doc that I can use to trace on a piece of alum so I can make one for myself? Please?

[nexxo]

@ bigben2k: you're welcome! This site inspired me to try watercooling (well, it's PF5080 cooling now ), so it's nice to give something back.

@ Razor6: Yup, it's 2mm sheet aluminium, cut out with a jigsaw, but a Dremel cutting disk will work too. The holes were done with a bench press drill. It is quite simple, really --if you have the tools... The extruded E strip was bought at a local hardware store.

@ Blackeagle: sorry about the size. I usually post at a smaller format but for busy or detailed pictures it got a bit too small. Also I tend to work on a 1600x1200 20" TFT and forget how large it all appears on more common 1024x768 and 1280x1024 setups!

More pics tonight (gotta do boring stuff now... shopping, paying bills etc.).

@ psychofunk: Sure. Originally I made a cardboard template, but I'll do a schematic drawing. I may need some assistance in hosting the doc for download, as I have only picture hosting at the moment. Doesn't this forum have some?

[Kobuchi]

Fantastic! This nexxo bracket is future-proof, you realise.

Do consider a one-piece version punched and folded out of sheet metal (galv. steel). This will be cheaper, and is the inevitable material for standard case components. Well, to be honest, I guess plastic's most appropriate for mass production of this part.

As a one-off the aluminium's just great.

[nexxo]

Originally Posted by Kobuchi

Do consider a one-piece version punched and folded out of sheet metal (galv. steel). This will be cheaper, and is the inevitable material for standard case components. Well, to be honest, I guess plastic's most appropriate for mass production of this part.

As a one-off the aluminium's just great.

I'm not planning to mass-produce them myself! I made an alu one because it's a material I can easily work with, and it fits with the case and the other bracket therein. I leave mass-production considerations to whoever offers to mass-produce it...

Here are some pics of the watercooling (almost completely) installed, so you get a feel of how it looks (once again apologise for the size of these pics):

Mounting detail:



setup:

[Etacovda]

"@redleader: Problem is I have limited access to tools, otherwise I'd make you one, no problem. If DD is interested, I'm happy for them to put it in production for a very reasonable royalty. I'm just in it for the mods! "

lol, expect to see it out in the next month without anyone contacting you such is 'computer business', aye DD?

Very nice work - how much hand filing was done afterwards? I take it you pre-drilled the corners for the 45 deg cuts above the PCI slots? hole saw for the largest hole?

(questions questions)

[nexxo]

Originally Posted by Etacovda

lol, expect to see it out in the next month without anyone contacting you such is 'computer business', aye DD?

Very nice work - how much hand filing was done afterwards? I take it you pre-drilled the corners for the 45 deg cuts above the PCI slots? hole saw for the largest hole?

(questions questions)

Yeah... I don't expect to make a penny out of this. But at least I can take the credit for thinking of it first. As I said, I'm just in it for the mods... If a reasonably well built, cheap replica comes on the market at least everyone will benefit.

The bracket bit was cut out to my exact specifications by a colleague with access to a big workshop (I could have done it myself, and I have done so before, but I do not have a bench press drill or hole saws for the holes). Not much filing was required; their jigsaws make a clean cut. The holes were indeed done with a hole saw.

It is always safe to pre-drill the corners, but to be honest I do not always bother. Cut carefully and have good needle files to sharpen the corners/edges.

[Kobuchi]

Considering the case it's in, your bracket really is perfect.

I still think a folded sheet metal prototype would ensure some recognition from future manufacturers. I think you can make an architype which simply can't be improved upon, from a production standpoint. They'll have no choice but directly copy your design, rather than claim it merely "inspired" them. You may not get royalties for this, but it it would open the way to a working relationship. This won't be your last invention.

[bigben2k]

For bending sheet metal, JSimmons linked us to a product called a "bending brake", here:
http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class...141184360-8821

I'm sure it's available at a number of other places, but it would make some nice custom extras.

(original thread here: http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=6417 )

[Razor6]

A folded sheet metal version would be good from a price standpoint. An anodized aluminum version in a choice of colors would be great for those who want the really sleek pro look.

[Kobuchi]

Threadjack continued.

A brake is a big investment and a workbench hog, but, being a very simple tool one can be assembled for the job at hand, then knocked down.

Other, more adaptable hand tools might serve nexxo's modest need better. Vise-grip makes a Locking Sheet Metal Tool. It's essentially a normal vise-grip plier with wide steel plates welded to the jaws, though more thoughtfully designed than I make it sound. I reach for it often. Another tool I can't find any links to but was lazy enough to buy at a store is no more than three plates of steel laminated together, the middle plate being inset 3/8" or 1/4". You fit the work into the slot, and bend. I use it mostly for folding safety edges on sheet metal. Such a tool could be easily shop-made for the 5/8" legs nexxo wants.

[nexxo]

Thread revival, but with good reason. A complete and dimensionally accurate SketchUp model of my GPU bracket can now be downloaded :here in Jazzle's excellent Sketchup PC component library:, allowing those who are interested to make their own.

[JWFokker]

Has anyone mentioned yet that your loop looks wicked? I know you'll want to add dye to the coolant, but if at all possible, don't. It looks good with the clear tubing, so I recommend getting clear antifreeze and running with that in your water, to preserve the clear look. It goes well with all your brushed aluminum parts. Where'd you get that cool hose thing btw?

[bigben2k]

How does one read that file?