Now let’s take a look at the backplate:DSC_9991The backplate comes less well packaged, but still comes with required accessories:
– Longer mounting screws and washers
– Thermal pads

The addition of thermal pads now is a nice touch as the R9-290 block did not have them.  This means XSPC are really trying to do everything to improve their VRM performance this time around.  The backplate itself is the same style as the 290.  The logo seems more subtle than ever which is an improvement.  The finish however is still the matte powder coat which doesn’t match the brushed aluminum of the faceplate.  This isn’t a big deal, but would have been nice to see.
DSC_9993The visible screw count is still quite high – it would have been nice to hide some under the backplate.  However this does at least give maximum strength to the structure.
DSC_9992The backplate is also machined so as the reduce the thickness of the thermal pads and thus improving performance.  <Edit> As no instructions were included – I assumed the washers were there to protect the screws from getting embedded in the backplate.  However photos on the XSPC site show that the washers should be underneath the backplate thus avoiding the ugly look below:
DSC_0038It should be noted that I do not believe this affected our thermal testing results, however aligning all those washers without having them move is going to be a pain in the butt and certainly undesirable.

Now let’s take the block apart…

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3 COMMENTS

    • Well that’s the interesting thing – the backplate doesn’t come with instructions so it wasn’t clear. I’m used to a methodology that a washer gets inserted between the part that can turn and the part that is fixed e.g. between the screw and the backplate, or the nut and the pcb etc. So that’s what I default to if the instructions don’t tell me otherwise. In addition putting the washer between the PCB and the backplate means that you have to hold the block and pcb together, align the 10+ washers, then drop the backplate on top without shifting any of the washers. Either it looks ugly with washers out, or it’s hard to mount with washers internal. Looking at the XSPC’s website – it shows the washers in between the backplate and the PCB. I don’t think this affects performance testing at all, but it does negate my aesthetics comments. However I do think the hassle of putting them under the backplate is a negative so the overall rating would be the same even if the points shift from one category to the next!

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