Many modern computer have separate high performance Graphics Processor Card (GPU). These GPUs plug into a PCI slot on the computer motherboard. But many of these GPU card are long and heavy. With no support for their back end weight, these cards can put additional strain on the motherboard PCI slot. Many motherboards surround the video card PCI slot with metal for reinforcement. But is this enough? I am not sure. To make sure, I want to eliminate this additional slot stress.

I looked into commercial solutions and found them lacking. So I came up with my own solution. It is free, takes only a few minutes to try, is custom fit for each computer case and GPU card.

Supplies

What you need:

1 coat hanger from the dry cleaners

A large pair of pliers

A smaller needle nose pliers

A ruler and marking pen

Step 1: Steps

1. Grab that coat hanger, snip off the hook and straighten it outl; turning it into a straight piece of wire.

2.Take a look inside your computer case, and scout out some unused holes. Imagine how you can fashion wire legs to support the back of your GPU card using these holes as anchor points. Be sure your design guarantees the brace will not fall over in any direction or can move into any of the electronics. The anchors are very important. Take your time and get that design just right! The design work is where most of project time is spent!

3.Use a ruler and a marking pen to measure where the first bend should be; and make the bend. Repeat measuring and bending until all the bends for your custom GPU brace are formed. I used the large pliers and my hands to make the larger bends in the wire. For the smaller bends, I bent the wire around the jaws of the needle nose pliers. If you want a more accurate bending method; I would recommend something like

“Quick and Easy Tube or Wire Bender”

By jds1969

https://www.instructables.com/Quick-and-Easy-tube-or-wire-bender/

Trim off any wire longer than you need after the last bend.

4. Put the brace into place. You'll be surprised by how sturdy a simple coat hanger can be – it can easily handle the weight of your GPU card. Now that the brace fits; you can remove it and paint it black. It will all but disappear when in the computer case when reinstalled.

Step 2: Specific Example

Each computer case is different and you will need to design a brace that fits your computer case.

For example, my computer case has a power supply cover. I repurposed three unused holes in the cover as anchor points for the GPU brace. Tension from the legs keeps the anchors in place and makes the GPU brace unable to slip out of position. Slight bending of the legs can adjust the brace to a perfect fit..

May you find the perfect solution for your computer case.