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Mistakes I avoid when vertically mounting my GPU
Vertically mounted graphics cards simply look better, and that's a fact. And if your PC is a beloved possession, you'll probably want it to look the best it can. However, there are a few cautionary tales when switching your GPU from a horizontal to vertical orientation that you should be aware of. Many users report elevated GPU temperatures and connection issues with vertical mounts. If you know where things can go wrong, you can avoid the common pitfalls of vertically mounted GPUs and enjoy your PC without the headaches.
Ignoring GPU temps after mounting it vertically
Don't just set it and forget it
Even if you're confident that moving your graphics card from its conventional horizontal position to a vertical one won't raise temperatures significantly, you should still monitor the GPU temps to make sure. The best way to do it is to record the kind of temps you get before and after the mount, both during idle and load scenarios. You can use MSI Afterburner to see instantaneous GPU temps, or HWiNFO to get average, minimum, and maximum temps as well.
In general, vertical mounts are known to increase GPU temperatures compared to horizontal orientation. Creators like Gamers Nexus and manufacturers like Corsair have studied this in the past, and concluded that, in most cases, you'll see higher temperatures on vertically mounted graphics cards. Whether the delta is meaningful enough to be a concern depends on several other factors, but it is something you should be aware of before you get excited about improving your GPU esthetics.
If you notice a huge temperature increase of around 10℃, then it's probably worth going back to the horizontal orientation.
Forcing a DIY vertical mount
It might not end well
Not every PC case is compatible with a vertical mount. If your case doesn't have an official vertical mount by the same manufacturer, or doesn't have a slot to support vertical mounts in general, you'll have to resort to DIY mounts. This might involve case modding that isn't everyone's cup of tea. Even if you manage to make it happen, the results might not look as good as you hoped. Besides, it could introduce fitment issues and increased stress on the PCIe riser cable.
Short of replacing your case with something that supports vertical mounts, your only option would be to pick a universal mount from Phanteks, Cooler Master, EZDIY-FAB, or CableMod. That said, these mounts aren't guaranteed to work on every ATX case — you can encounter compatibility issues or simply fail to secure the mount properly to your case. In a nutshell, do your research before buying a vertical GPU mount, and if you're building a new PC, try to get a case that officially supports vertically mounted GPUs.
Blocking the bottom intake fans
A tad disruptive
If your case airflow is dependent on bottom intake fans, vertically mounted graphics cards can be obstructive to the point that you arrive at an either-or situation. You can either forego a vertical mount or manage your airflow without the bottom intake fans. Without enough space between the bottom fans and the GPU, the air intake fails to be as effective as it is in the regular orientation.
This is a bigger problem with graphics cards where the cooling solution is designed with the conventional horizontal orientation in mind. GPUs with vapor chambers rely heavily on the horizontal orientation to effectively cool all the components of the card. Mounting such models vertically disrupts that configuration, especially raising temperatures of the memory chips and power components.
Even if your GPU's core temperature remains comparable after mounting it vertically, blocking the air intake from the bottom fans can be detrimental to the other components, such as the CPU, memory, and SSD. In a horizontal orientation, the airflow from the bottom to the top would pass through the GPU's cooler, cooling everything in its path. This path is disrupted if you're mounting your graphics card too close to the bottom fans.
Dual-chamber cases might fare better in this regard due to the lack of a PSU shroud creating enough separation between the GPU and the bottom fans.
Mounting it too close to the side panel
Starving your GPU of fresh air
This is one of the biggest reasons for elevated GPU temperatures when mounting it vertically. Without enough space for air intake, your GPU fans fail to cool the card properly, raising temperatures. In the worst scenarios, this can cause thermal throttling as your GPU reduces performance to keep the card from reaching dangerous temperatures.
Even the PC cases that support vertical mounts don't allow enough separation between the GPU and the side panel. You can buy a mount that solves this by pushing the GPU toward the motherboard, several inches away from the side panel. Your leverage might vary depending on your case model, but you'll still see lower temperatures compared to conventional vertical mounts.
Using an unreliable riser cable
Inviting all sorts of trouble
Performance and connectivity issues related to the PCIe riser cable are one of the most annoying aspects of vertically mounted graphics cards. If you're unaware of the potential downsides of unreliable riser cables, and buy one assuming everything will be just fine, you're simply inviting trouble. The moment you mount your GPU vertically, you're increasing the distance the PCIe signal needs to travel. It also complicates the signal path and opens the door to several pitfalls.
For one, the riser cable you're using might only support PCIe 3.0 instead of PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0. While this might not affect performance in any meaningful way, you might encounter all sorts of weird issues like blue screens and unstable operation. If your motherboard detects an unstable PCIe signal, it could also downgrade the PCIe generation your GPU is using or lower the configuration from x16 to x8, compromising performance.
Cheap riser cables can create far more headaches than you can deal with. To avoid this, buy riser cables that are well-tested by the community, and don't have a spotty record. NZXT had to recall its H1 case due to a faulty riser cable that was prone to short circuits and causing fires. Do your research to avoid such extreme scenarios.
Don't let your GPU temps climb when going vertical
When mounting your graphics card vertically, you should take all the steps to prevent your GPU temperature from rising. Ensure you use a supported vertical mount, don't mount your card too close to the side panel or bottom fans, and only use reliable and well-reviewed riser cables. Plus, don't forget to monitor your GPU temps before and after the mount, so you know whether the temperature increase is significant. Vertically mounted GPUs are aesthetically pleasant, but higher GPU temps might negate the benefits.