Does anyone have a photo of the backside of an RTX 3080 XC3 Black, where the backplate would be on higher-end cards?
 
I'm wondering if the backplate is just there for show on these cards or if it provides any kind of passive cooling benefit.

I heard that the Black doesn't have a backplate.
 
As to cooling, I've always (and I mean always) found removing a backplate is better for cooling the backside of the card - but it's not a big difference. With that said, I have a big case with very good airflow with two 200mm fans blowing right at the GPU.

arestavo
I heard that the Black doesn't have a backplate.
 
As to cooling, I've always (and I mean always) found removing a backplate is better for cooling the backside of the card - but it's not a big difference. With that said, I have a big case with very good airflow with two 200mm fans blowing right at the GPU.

That's correct, the Black does not have a backplate. The reason I want to see a shot of the PCB there is to try and ascertain if the backplate really serves any purpose beyond cosmetics. I also have a case with great airflow and I intend to undervolt so I'd probably be fine with a Black. 

Go to any of the EVGA 3080/3090 non-black product pages and you will see...
 

pointofdeparture

arestavo
I heard that the Black doesn't have a backplate.
 
As to cooling, I've always (and I mean always) found removing a backplate is better for cooling the backside of the card - but it's not a big difference. With that said, I have a big case with very good airflow with two 200mm fans blowing right at the GPU.

That's correct, the Black does not have a backplate. The reason I want to see a shot of the PCB there is to try and ascertain if the backplate really serves any purpose beyond cosmetics. I also have a case with great airflow and I intend to undervolt so I'd probably be fine with a Black. 

As with most cards in the past, it typically provides more aesthetics than function on 3080 cards.  The backplate also provides an extra measure of protection in case you drop something or accidentally bang the back of the card while installing the card or other components.  Similarly, it may also help to keep the PCB straighter and distribute more weight to the other side of the card in comparison to a card without a backplate.  It does pull some heat away from the PCB and the back of the card, but it's not going to be the reason your card runs at 70C vs. 75C.

Afterburner
Go to any of the EVGA 3080/3090 non-black product pages and you will see...
 

I am not asking for a photo of the backplate. I want to see the PCB (under the backplate on non-Black cards).

Here's a picture of my 3090 FTW3 with the backplate off - the 3080 won't have the VRAM chips on the back like the 3090 does.
 
Edit: lemme edit my serial number off of that.
 

EVGATech_LeeM

pointofdeparture

arestavo
I heard that the Black doesn't have a backplate.
 
As to cooling, I've always (and I mean always) found removing a backplate is better for cooling the backside of the card - but it's not a big difference. With that said, I have a big case with very good airflow with two 200mm fans blowing right at the GPU.

That's correct, the Black does not have a backplate. The reason I want to see a shot of the PCB there is to try and ascertain if the backplate really serves any purpose beyond cosmetics. I also have a case with great airflow and I intend to undervolt so I'd probably be fine with a Black. 

As with most cards in the past, it typically provides more aesthetics than function on 3080 cards.  The backplate also provides an extra measure of protection in case you drop something or accidentally bang the back of the card while installing the card or other components.  Similarly, it may also help to keep the PCB straighter and distribute more weight to the other side of the card in comparison to a card without a backplate.  It does pull some heat away from the PCB and the back of the card, but it's not going to be the reason your card runs at 70C vs. 75C.

Thanks, that’s pretty much what I figured. The XC3 Gaming is my card preference, but if I have a chance to buy a Black I may still do so. Mostly worried about the reports I’m seeing of the GDDR6X running HOT (100C+) on these cards.

I wonder how much the backplate heat pipes do to cool the card

Kupodesu
I wonder how much the backplate heat pipes do to cool the card

Miniscule at best - they don't follow the VRAM chips, rather cut a thin swath over two of the three banks.