As I now have a very hefty RTX 5080, about the heaviest available, I just wondered how you guys are supporting your heavy cards.

Simple adjustable post?

More sophisticated bracket?

One of those fancy LED brackets.

One of those horizontal devices?

Or maybe a vertical case mount with riser?

Or maybe you are a scary individual who doesn't bother and hard enough to challenge physics. 😉

 

Edited January 9Jan 9 by martin-w

They make stands for GPU's.

 

I use an adjustable stand support from Amazon for my 5080super.

2 hours ago, Torkermax said:

They make stands for GPU's.

Yes, but typically a GPU manufacturer will include a stand in the box with the purchase.  It's also pretty common for a good PC case to include GPU stand options.

The puzzling part is why so many case manufacturers go with vertical motherboard mount and not horizontal (no GPU mount required) lets gravity work for you instead of against you (same goes for CPU and the giant Noctua coolers).  After seeing 1000's of pictures of end user PC locations (thanks Jay), I don't see any issues with end use "space" requirements (horizontal would work just as well as vertical) ... seems to me that horizontal should be the "norm" and vertical the "exception".

I use an adjustable post near the center of my ASUS 4090, and I have a lanyard from the top of the case frame attached to a spring under ~1 lb tension tethered to the end of the card to prevent excess twist/torque on the GPU board and the PCIe socket.

I agree with Rob's comment about horizontal vs vertical motherboard orientation.  My portable/gaming PC is built in a Coolermaster HAF-XB lan party case, and it has the mobo oriented horizontally.  Makes it possible to move the computer between locations, bouncing around in a vehicle for hours without the rather heavy 3090 card applying large side load shocks to the PCIe connector.  I went looking to get another one a year or so ago and, alas, Coolermaster stopped making it or anything like it.

 

19 hours ago, SayAgain said:

Yes, but typically a GPU manufacturer will include a stand in the box with the purchase.  It's also pretty common for a good PC case to include GPU stand options.

The puzzling part is why so many case manufacturers go with vertical motherboard mount and not horizontal (no GPU mount required) lets gravity work for you instead of against you (same goes for CPU and the giant Noctua coolers).  After seeing 1000's of pictures of end user PC locations (thanks Jay), I don't see any issues with end use "space" requirements (horizontal would work just as well as vertical) ... seems to me that horizontal should be the "norm" and vertical the "exception".

 

The Noctua cooler weight is no issue. Secufirm 2 is a great mounting system. I've had the D14, D15, D15S and now the NH-D15 G2, and zero issues. Makes no sense to transport the PC with cooler attached though, I would avoid that for sure.

 

19 hours ago, SayAgain said:

but typically a GPU manufacturer will include a stand in the box with the purchase. 

 

Yep, my card is the Asus Noctua edition RTX 5080, and yes, there is a rather nice little adjustable post included. I'll probably just use that. Not sure if a vertical mount and riser is something I'll go for, I suspect that with a 4 slot card like mine it would be a bit close to the glass side panel than I'd like and restricting air intake. Not to mention the fact it wouldn't work with a D15 G2, probably.

I've never had to bother, before, not with my RTX 3090, but certainly support is required now for this hefty boy. 

Edited January 10Jan 10 by martin-w

When I got my new PC back in 2024 the 4090 was very heavy. I bought an adjustable telescopic-style pole to support the end furthest from the connection. Sadly, I didn’t do the calculations correctly and its shortest length was longer than the available space.

I sent it back. Then I remember I had a miniature pack of playing cards in a plastic case. It fits perfectly at the opposite end and I haven’t had a problem since.

On 1/14/2026 at 10:02 AM, Ray Proudfoot said:

Then I remember I had a miniature pack of playing cards in a plastic case.

 

You see all manner of items used for this purpose, on the internet. Looks like the adjustable support provided with my card will do the job, so I think I'll use that. Weirdly, it also doubles as a screwdriver. 

 

 

I just checked the size and weight of the 5090 and it’s both lighter and takes up less space than the 4090. About time! Their weight was becoming ridiculous.

My 4090 is fine for P3Dv5 and that’s the beauty of sticking to that sim. I’m constrained by the CPU rather than the GPU. But nothing serious. I limit Ai at Heathrow to 180 rather than unlimited as it’s handy to have somewhere to park after landing. 😁

Well my card is the Asus Noctua collaboration, designed to be almost silent under load. Hence, the cooler is enormous and equipped with 3 120mm Noctua G2 fans.

I dont know if there's a heavier card, I'd be suprised if there was. So I certainly need to support this humongous card.

Speaking of Heathrow … that is one busy airport … I don’t think I’ve ever taxi out and has not been a case of lineup and wait (real world that is).  Wonder what the procedures were following a Concorde takeoff? 2min, 5min wait?

On 1/16/2026 at 4:04 PM, SayAgain said:

Wonder what the procedures were following a Concorde takeoff? 2min, 5min wait?

Probably the same as a 757 or equivalent. Concorde was not a large aircraft.

2 hours ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Probably the same as a 757 or equivalent. Concorde was not a large aircraft.

I know when we wait for F15/F16 to takeoff in front of our E175 at PDX we have to wait longer.  ABs (reheats) can generate A LOT of turbulence.

2 hours ago, SayAgain said:

I know when we wait for F15/F16 to takeoff in front of our E175 at PDX we have to wait longer.  ABs (reheats) can generate A LOT of turbulence.

It’s too long ago to have any info. You’re probably right.