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5 intimidating PC mods that are actually super simple
You've built your PC, and now it's time to make it your own. PC modding is intimidating considering how much money is wrapped up in your components, but a few simple mods go a long way in making your PC more practical and performant. And contrary to what you might think, they actually aren't too difficult.
Although you'll need to get your hands dirty with any PC mod, you don't need to pull out power tools and a soldering iron to make adjustments to your build. Here are five PC mods that just about anyone can do, each of which can level-up your PC.
Add a custom backplate to your GPU
Cheap and stylish
If you pick up a higher-end GPU, there's a good chance it already has a backplate, but there are dozens of lower-end options that don't have a backplate at all. And, even if you do have a backplate, you might not like the way it looks. Thankfully, you don't have to settle for what's included with your GPU. You can add or swap the backplate on your GPU with a custom one to add a little more flair to your GPU while it's installed in your motherboard.
You need to shop around for a backplate for your specific graphics card model — i.e. the Asus Tuf RTX 4070 Super, not just the RTX 4070 Super — and some GPUs don't have a traditional backplate. But there are still a ton of options. The most popular source for these backplates is V1 Tech, but you can also shop around at ColdZero if you have a lower-end GPU without a backplate.
On most GPUs, the backplate doesn't do much except make your graphics card look better. It can dissipate a bit of heat, but that's mostly handled by the cooler. There are some exceptions to this rule, though, so make sure to check your specific graphics card model before picking up an after-market backplate.
Undervolting your CPU and GPU
Nearly everyone should have an undervolt running
Years ago, overclocking was the best way to get the most out of your hardware. Today, undervolting has taken its place. As both GPUs and CPUs are pushed to their limits on clock speed, there aren't a ton of opportunities for big performance gains from overclocking, at least for day-to-day use. Undervolting is a different story. The consequence of algorithm-driven clock speed fluctuations is high base voltage on most CPUs and GPUs, giving you a decent amount of headroom to reduce the voltage while maintaining your performance.
That's the idea behind undervolting. The voltage from the factory is usually more than you need, and you can turn down that voltage to reduce power draw and temperatures while maintaining the same clock speed. In some cases, such as RTX 30-series GPUs, you have a lot of voltage headroom. Pushing the base voltage down will allow you to climb to much higher clock speeds.
Every piece of silicon is different, so your mileage with undervolting will vary. For GPUs, you can set up a curve offset with tools like MSI Afterburner or Asus GPU Tweak III. AMD owners have access to Ryzen Master for CPU undervolting, while Intel offers XTU; though, both are better handled through your motherboard BIOS if you don't mind poking your head in.
Repasting your graphics card
Better performance, more longevity
You don't need to repaste your graphics card, at least for its normal lifespan. GPUs are designed to never be opened by end users, so the thermal interface material (TIM) applied at the factory should last you several years before needing a replacement. However, you can replace the TIM on your graphics card early as part of routine maintenance, or you can experiment with TIMs that aren't traditional paste, such as liquid metal, for better temperatures and higher overclocking potential.
Especially if you have a gaming PC, there's a good chance your GPU is the most expensive component in your PC, so I understand how intimidating it can be to crack open your GPU and void your warranty in the process. Repasting your GPU really isn't difficult, though. It's very similar to applying thermal paste to a CPU, just with a few more screws involved. If you want to make the process more seamless, you can pick up an applicator tool to spread the paste — tension isn't enough like it is with a CPU — and spare VRAM thermal pads.
3D-printed drive cages, fan grills, and more
A little filament is good for you
There are plenty of accessories you can buy for your PC, but why buy them when you can make them? There are a ton of components you can throw together with a 3D printer and a bit of time, from GPU support brackets and cable management clips to fan grills and USB plugs. We have a list of 3D-printed PC parts you can make at home if you're looking for a bit of inspiration.
Although you'll need a 3D printer — and probably some spare filament for any misprints — you have a ton of flexibility by making your own accessories rather than buying them from a third-party seller. You can mix and match materials and colors, as well as adapt prints after the fact to fit new components or builds. A 3D printer and a bit of creativity goes a long way when it comes to modding your build, and after a few minutes on somewhere like Printables, you'll probably leave with a dozen ideas or more.
Create a custom hardware monitor with a Raspberry Pi
This open-source project makes it easy
No PC is complete without some way to monitor the various sensors spotted around your components, and although software solutions work, a separate, dedicated hardware monitor makes keeping up with your stats much easier. You can throw together a dedicated monitor with a Raspberry Pi and a cheap HDMI display, allowing you to check in on your temperatures, clock speed, power draw, and so much more from a dedicated display you can install anywhere in or around your PC.
You don't need to resort to writing software or treating this display like a second (or third) monitor in Windows, either. The open-source MoBro project from ModBros is an image for the Raspberry Pi that can take inputs from monitoring applications like HWInfo. You can take any of those metrics and put them together in a custom display. You can slide around the different metrics to position them how you want, but MoBro actually supports custom themes, as well, such as the Pip-Boy theme you can see on display in the video above.
Get your hands dirty
Changing anything about your PC can be intimidating, but a few mods go a long way at not only making your build look better, but also showing you the ins and outs of PC modding. It's not as scary as it seems, and trying out a few simple mods will open the door to more advanced (and impressive) mods down the line.