Modder Tests GPU Placement, Cuts RTX 3080 Hotspot by 19°C
TrashBench's non-standard RTX 3080 mounting cut GPU hotspot temperatures by up to 19°C, though the best GPU-only setup ran the CPU hotter.
Modder TrashBench has published testing on alternative GPU placements in an RTX 3080 desktop PC, showing that moving the card away from its standard slot can cut GPU hotspot temperatures by up to 19°C, according to Tom's Hardware.
The best GPU-only configuration produced the largest drop in hotspot temperature, but the same layout made CPU temperatures worse.
A more balanced configuration performed better overall. With the CPU mounted vertically against side intake fans and the CPU AIO radiator set to exhaust mode, the system delivered a GPU hotspot that was 14°C cooler and a CPU that was 3.3°C cooler.
Repositioning the GPU this way requires a PCIe riser cable, which connects the card to the motherboard when it is mounted outside the usual slot.
Trade-offs of repositioning the card
The results show that the layout can be tuned toward GPU cooling or toward a compromise between GPU and CPU temperatures, with the two goals pulling in different directions. TrashBench tested the configurations using 3DMark Time Spy and 7-Zip.
Quick answers
How much cooler did the GPU run in TrashBench's testing?
The best GPU-only configuration reduced the GPU hotspot temperature by up to 19°C, while a balanced configuration delivered a 14°C cooler GPU hotspot and a 3.3°C cooler CPU.
What hardware is needed to reposition a GPU like this?
A PCIe riser cable is required to move the GPU out of its standard slot.
Were the CPU temperatures affected?
Yes. The best GPU-only configuration worsened CPU temperatures, while the balanced layout with the CPU mounted vertically against side intake fans and the AIO radiator in exhaust mode kept the CPU 3.3°C cooler.