The level integrated as part of the graphics card is probably a very unique idea so far.
The arrival of a new generation of graphics after two years is a pretty big hardware event, but it has also brought things that look like April Fool’s material. While we are not talking “Unlauchinggu” GeForce RTX 4080 12GB. One of the Chinese manufacturers has come up with a very original solution to the problem where long and large cards (where most RTX 4090s break records) twist under their own weight, which can damage the PCI card or slot. Express. We just don’t know if they are solving the problem on the right side.
Over the weekend, photos of the GeForce RTX 4090 appeared on the Internet presumably from the Chinese company 51RISC (about how it actually is at a time), which was on offer on AliExpress. Its specialty is two liquid-filled tubes on the back of the board, which might confuse some at first glance, but aren’t actually part of any liquid cooling inside. The graphics have a classic air cooler with three fans, three thick slots. These tubes, in which you can see the bubble, should be level.
Why spirit levels? Their goal is apparently to signal if the card is mounted in the straight case and if its end is not positioned due to gravity – that is, if the card is deformed and the card and PCI Express slot are not stressed. During and after assembly, you can check if the board is in a horizontal position by observing the bubble in the water level (provided that the assembly of the chiller is sufficiently accurate). Of course, this will only work if both the cabinet and the board are built horizontally.
I don’t know if any of you would appreciate this utility. After all, the problem with long graphics is not whether they are installed exactly perpendicular to gravity or not, but with the fact that their end lacks support and there is stress. The spirit level does not help in this and is not effective in protecting the assembly during transport, when the problem of the heavy unprotected end of the board can have amplified destructive effects due to various shocks and jolts.
The solution to the heavy card problem is a system of supporting or securing the other end of the card in the cabinet, so it would be more practical if something similar was provided with the card: a support pole or, ideally, something that secures from moving in both directions (against accidents during transport). However, the level in the board is at least a nice curiosity (only it probably won’t be for the owners, who would get stressed if they didn’t have bubbles exactly halfway and had to constantly push the cabinet or cover it with papers in an attempt to tidy it up).
The card is actually from Manli
There is another spice associated with the card. In the end, it turned out that the AliExpress sale was somewhat fraudulent – the card is no 51RISC, but a normal Manli design. Apparently, the Chinese vendor took the original photos and repainted the logos in Photoshop. In reality the card is sold as the Manli GeForce RTX 4090 Gallardo, although it has not yet been widely distributed (perhaps it is in stores, for example in Switzerland).
Resources: Virile, VideoCardz, Tom’s hardware
