Graphics card sagging can lead to serious consequences in the long run if it is not dealt with in time. This problem generally occurs in longer mid to high-end graphics cards that have a bulky and heavy heatsink. In GPU sagging, the graphics card at one side bends down or hangs due to its weight, due to lack of support. The sagging of the GPU can put stress on your motherboard and may cause some damage to it in the long run, if the sagging persists. Some high-end motherboards do come with metal reinforced PCI-E x16 slot, but not everybody buys the top model or top-end motherboard, and in these motherboards too, you can notice some amount of graphics card sag because of the weight. Also, high-end graphics cards with metal backplate do encounter sag because of their weight and length. So, in these cases, the best way to prevent graphics card sagging is to use a GPU Support Bracket, Graphics Card Holder, or Graphics Card Sag Holder. These graphics card sag holders provide support to the graphics card at the sagging end and prevent it from drooping.
There are generally two types of GPU support brace or graphics card sag holders: vertical and horizontal. Both of them have their advantages and disadvantages and are suited for different conditions. Horizontal Graphics Card Holder or GPU Support Bracket is mostly an ‘L’ shaped metal piece that attaches to the side of the case bracket, along with the graphics card using screws. It consists of adjustable rubber mounts or pads on the arm that makes contact with the bottom end or graphics card shroud to give the card proper support and prevents it from sagging. For the horizontal graphics card support bracket to work, the graphics card width should be slightly greater than the computer case bracket. This means that it cannot work with graphics cards having a width equal to or less than the bracket, and also with low profile graphics cards. Horizontal graphics card sag holder is also called GPU Support Bracket, GPU Support Brace, GPU Brace Support Bracket, or Horizontal GPU Sag Holster.
On the other hand, Vertical Graphics Card Holder is basically a stand with a shaft, on which two or more adjustable sliders or holders are present, which can be locked at the desired position to provide support to the graphics card and prevents it from sagging. A vertical GPU holder can support multiple graphics cards without any issues, whereas a horizontal one can support only one graphics card at a time and can cause an issue with the adjacent graphics card below it if you are using more than one graphics card in SLI or CrossFire setup. However, it cannot be used with computer cases that do not have spare space for it to stand on. So, if you have a smaller PC case with hard drive cages very close to the motherboard, then you will have a hard time fitting it to give your graphics card support. In general, a vertical graphics card sag holder provides better and more stable support to the graphics card and is more flexible compared to the horizontal one. Below you can see horizontal and vertical graphics card brace support holders.
A vertical GPU support brace can be used with all types of graphics cards, including the passive graphics cards with huge heatsinks, but the horizontal one does have some limitations regarding the height of the graphics card. The quality of the GPU support brace also matters because a cheap and flimsy one will be as good as useless and you will finally end up wasting your money. So, to help you out on this, here I am going to list down some of the best GPU support brackets /holders, both horizontal and vertical that can be used to fix your graphics card sag.
Horizontal Graphics Card Holders
Here are some of the best horizontal graphics card holders or GPU support brackets to prevent graphics card sagging.
upHere Graphics Card GPU Brace Support
A simple GPU Brace Support Holder from upHere to prevent the video card from drooping. It is made up of aluminum and comes with four screws and two rubber mounts that can slide on the horizontal arm for proper adjustment. This GPU support bracket is very simple to use and you just have to screw it up with the graphics card bracket. It has got three slotted screw holes for adjustment and aligning the graphics card with the PCIe x16 slot. It is 10.5 inches in length and can easily support high-end graphics cards up to 300mm (or more) in length comfortably. It should be noted that the graphics card width should be slightly more than its bracket for this holder to work. The rubber mounts or silicone pads prevent any scratches and can be adjusted horizontally for proper positioning so that they do not interfere with the graphics card fans.
This video card sag holder works with dual-slot graphics cards and can also support 2.5 slot and 2.75 slot graphics cards. It is compatible with a wide range of motherboards and cases, but it can support one graphics card at a time and is not suitable for dual GPU setup in SLI or Crossfire configuration. It does not restrict airflow and does not require any extra space inside your computer case. It keeps the graphics card aligned perfectly by keeping it intact at its place, and is very stable. Once mounted, you don’t have to worry about your graphics card sagging, and can move or carry your case from one place to another without worrying about anything. It comes in three colors: black, blue, and red to match your gaming rig theme.
Note: You must use the included screws for installing it because they are longer (1.5 inches approx.) than the standard screws for PCI / PCIe brackets.
upHere Graphics Card GPU Brace Support Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Horizontal (10.5-inch length) |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | Aluminum |
Adjustable | Yes (through slotted screw holes) |
Buy upHere Graphics Card GPU Brace Support
Another Horizontal GPU holder
Here is another good GPU support bracket, just like the above one from upHere. It works the same way and also the design is almost the same. You can check it out too from the link given below.
upHere Addressable RGB GPU Brace Support
If you are looking for a fancy horizontal GPU Brace support with RGB lighting then this is the one to go for. It comes with Addressable RGB LEDs at the bottom with a white diffuser. The GPU brace support is stylish and the RGB lighting looks super cool when lit up, and you can also change the lighting effects using the compatible RGB software. As the RGB LEDs are addressable, which means you would require a 5V 3-pin ARGB header for them. You may also connect the 5V 3-pin ARGB connector to an RGB controller that includes the support for ARGB LED components.
This ARGB GPU Anti-Sag Bracket supports a majority of the motherboard RGB software that includes Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light Sync, ASRock RGB LED, BIOSTAR RGB, etc. There is a sliding rubber pad located on the top for providing support to the card at the proper point, and it does not scratch the surface of the graphics card at all. The RGB Graphics Card Brace Support comes with six screws, three thumb screws, and three Philips screws for installation. If you already have RGB components installed in your PC i.e. RGB Fans, RGB RAM, etc., then this RGB GPU Brace Support Bracket would go very well with them.
upHere ARGB Graphics Card Brace Support Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Horizontal (11-inch length) |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | Aluminum |
Adjustable | Yes (through slotted screw holes) |
Buy upHere ARGB Graphics Card GPU Brace Support
Cooler Master ELV8 Universal Graphics Card Holder
[Addressable RGB, Length & Height Adjustment, Sleek Design]
If you are looking for a branded Graphics Card Holder that goes well with your fancy gaming PC then Cooler Master ELV8 is the one for you. This is a horizontal Graphics Card Holder that comes with ARGB LEDs and is compatible with Asus Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, and ASRock Polychrome Sync RGB motherboard software. This GPU Brace support attaches to the expansion slot with the help of three screws. It allows both horizontal (length) and vertical (height) adjustment using a tool-free slider and hinge, so that your graphics card is positioned for best support.
The graphics card holder is sturdy, sleek, and looks great in the case. The RGB LED strip runs along with the graphics card holder and looks very neat. It can support most graphics cards, including bulky ones. It should be noted that you will need a 3-pin 5V ARGB header or compatible RGB controller to use the RGB LED lighting. A 3-pin ARGB adapter cable comes bundled with the package, along with three thumb screws.
Cooler Master ELV8 GPU Brace Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Horizontal |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | Steel & Plastic |
Adjustable | Yes (Horizontal & Vertical) |
Buy Cooler Master ELV8 Graphics Card Holder
Vertical Graphics Card Holders
Here are some of the best vertical video card sag holders to prevent GPU sagging.
upHere VC-1 Graphics Card Support Stand
A vertical graphics card holder from upHere that packs great quality and is very easy to use. This is basically a graphics card support stand with a solid metal bar with two support arms that slide up and down and can be adjusted to the desired height by tightening the tool-less screws on them. On their upper surface, they have rubber pads that prevent scratches on the graphics card and they also provide a better grip. The whole graphics card holder is made of aluminum and the construction quality is very good. The base of the round stand comes with a magnet that holds the stand firmly in the case. The magnet is pretty strong but not strong enough to damage your hard drives (HDDs) if they are in close vicinity of the stand. The stand is quite stable, but if you move around your case then it can get displaced slightly, and you can position it again.
This vertical graphics card holder can support two graphics cards in a multi-GPU setup (SLI or CrossFire). These support arms hold the graphics cards pretty well and eliminate the graphics card sag completely. The stand should be placed on a flat surface that is magnetic. You can place it on the bottom of the case and also on the PSU shroud if you have a full-length shroud. The holder does not consume much space and it neither restricts the airflow in your case. The height of the stand is 10.6 inches and the diameter of the stand is 4cm only. Also, it does not interfere with your adjacent brackets and PCIe slots, and you can use other PCIe expansion cards on your motherboard without any issues.
upHere VC-1 Graphics Card Holder Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Vertical (10.6 inches tall) |
Graphics Card Support | Dual |
Construction Material | Aluminum |
Adjustable | Yes (height adjustment) |
Buy upHere VC-1 Graphics Card Support Stand
Cooler Master Universal VGA Holder
If you are looking for a branded graphics card sag holder then Cooler Master Universal VGA Holder fits the bill perfectly. Just like the above-mentioned UpHere graphics card holder, it also comes with two support arms and can support two graphics cards. However, the supporters here are made of ABS plastic and have a friction locking mechanism where you just have to push the clip inside to lock the support arms. This locking mechanism is relatively easy and quicker than compared to the tool-less screw ones in the upHere one. The bar and the stand are made of aluminum and is very stable. The stand is a tripod one and has strong magnets located on each of the legs.
This Cooler Master Universal Graphics Card Holder comes with two bars, and you can either use one or two at the same time, depending on the height of the graphics card from the base. This means if you have a smaller case then you are good with one bar only, but if the case is big then you can join the two bars together to extend its length so that it can reach the graphics card. It is only available in black color. Overall, a high-quality graphics card holder that works great and is very easy to install and use.
Cooler Master Universal VGA Holder Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Vertical |
Graphics Card Support | Dual |
Construction Material | Aluminum and ABS |
Adjustable | Yes (height adjustment) |
Buy Cooler Master Universal Graphics Card Holder
Deepcool GH-01 A-RGB Graphics Card Holder
[Addressable RGB Graphics Card Holder]
If you are in search of a fancy graphics card holder with RGB lighting then Deepcool GH-01 A-RGB Graphics Card Holder is to look for. It is a wider graphics card holder that comes with nine Addressable RGB LEDs and supports Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, ASRock Polychrome Sync, and MSI Mystic Light Sync RGB software. It needs a 5V ARGB header on the motherboard or an ARGB controller and is not compatible with a 12V RGB header and controllers. The GPU holder consists of two parts, one is the base and the other one is the frame. The frame has metal construction and houses the ARGB LEDs, while the base is made of plastic and provides support to the frame. The holder comes with two bases, one is standard while the other one is taller.
This GPU support holder has a modular design and it also allows you to hide the PCI-E power cables inside it that go into the graphics card. It utilizes a unique saw-tooth adjustment mechanism and a dual-hole installation design for super easy installation. It must be noted that the base is non-magnetic, but you can use double-sided tape to fix it firmly on the bottom of the case. This graphics card support holder from Deepcool claims to support graphics cards up to 5Kg in weight, which is great and shows its high build quality and structural strength. It is compatible with most computer cases, with or without a power supply shield or shroud. A non-RGB variant of this graphics card holder is also available, which you can also check out from the link given below.
Deepcool GH-01 A-RGB Graphics Card Holder Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Vertical |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | Aluminum & Plastic |
Adjustable | Yes |
Buy Deepcool GH-01 A-RGB Graphics Card Holder
Cooler Master ARGB GPU Support Bracket
[Edge-Lit ARGB Tempered Glass, 100% Tool-less Design, Stunning Look]
It is the best-looking GPU Support Bracket in the market right now. It is a vertical GPU support bracket that comes with ARGB LEDs and Tempered Glass. The vertical bar is made up of Tempered Glass and CNC machining on the tempered glass creates rails for ARGB lighting to travel throughout the bracket. The edge-lit RBG lighting on the GPU support bracket looks breathtaking and if you already have RGB components in your PC then the Cooler Master ARGB GPU Support Bracket further enhances the looks of your PC. The Addressable RGB lighting can be synced with the motherboard’s RGB software given that your motherboard has an ARGB header which is required by the support bracket.
The other material used for the support bracket is ABS plastic which is quite sturdy and durable. The base has a strong magnet that keeps the support bracket firmly in its place. There are two support arms included for multiple orientations and you can either place it at the tail-end of the GPU, or the side of the GPU closest to the side panel depending on the clearance present in your PC case. The support clips are tightened using the clips only by hand and this makes it for a 100% screw-less and tool-less design. So, if you want a cool-looking GPU support brace without compromising on the quality and aesthetics of your PC case then it is the one.
Cooler Master ARGB GPU Support Bracket Specifications | |
GPU Support Brace Type | Vertical |
Graphics Card Support | Single |
Construction Material | ABS Plastic, Tempered Glass |
Adjustable | Yes |
Buy Cooler Master ARGB GPU Support Bracket
See also:
Final Words
In the end, I would only like to say that if you are suffering from graphics card sagging problem and do not want to incur any damage to your motherboard or graphics card then these GPU support brace or Graphics Card sag holders are a life saver in true sense. They are inexpensive and can save you from all the trouble that you can have from a sagging video card. You can choose any of the GPU brace support video card holders based on your PC case and requirements, and if you are unsure which one is right for you then you can ask your queries in the comment section below, by giving all the necessary details that include model of the graphics card and the PC case.
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i have a msi rx 580 armour gpu? which one should i buy for supporting my gpu?
What case do you have?
Hey there, I have a GeForce RTX 2080 Super GPU and an NZXT H510 Case. It doesn’t have the slots on the left where one would normally screw in the brace supports, but the vertical stands would not look aesthetically pleasing in my setup either. What do you recommend?
I think you can install the horizontal GPU brace in this case.
I have an ASUS TUF 3080 card and a Golden Field Z20 case, which one should i buy for supporting my gpu?
I would suggest Cooler Master ELV8 GPU Brace Support.
Hi, I wanna get an ASUS ROG Strix 3080, my case is a Corsair 465x RGB, and I’m not sure if i need to get a bracket or not… what do you think?
I think you should be fine. Does your motherboard have a metal reinforced PCIe x16 slot?
The one I currently have doesn’t, but I’ll change it in a month or so and that will have it. Thank you!!!
Hi, I want to get an ROG Strix 3080, my case is a CoolerMaster H500 ARGB (motherboard is a ROG Strix B550-F).
Would sagging be avoided if I buy a Cooler Master ELV8 for extra support? Thx 😀
Yes you can avoid sagging using the Cooler Master ELV8 brae support bracket.
I’ve noticed that both EVGA and the ASUS TUF RTX 3080s have two threaded mounting holes on the back end for pc cases with supported mount points. I can’t seem to find any information on these cases that have support for this system. Any ideas what card are equipped for this?
Any ideas what CASES are equipped for this?
I will make a separate post regarding this.
Was there any answer for these two threaded mounting holes on the back end?
THEY ARE ALL TOO SHORT! Prefer a white horizontal holder for my build, but my GPU is a PowerColor RX 6700 XT and the end where the rubber support needs to be should be about 12″ to 12-1/2″ from the holes. Everything I see at Amazon (unless you want the vertical hold poles) is at most 11″ and most are about 10″. Would look bad that short. Just my opinion. Still shopping.