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The Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 is the best overall pick for most people in this group because it is a self-adhesive, electrically non-conductive thermal pad that works for GPU and RAM cooling on almost any card, while the finned backplate coolers on this list are tied to specific RTX 30-series layouts. A GPU backplate cooler or cooling pad moves heat away from memory chips and power components on the back of a graphics card, either through a heatsink plate, small fans or a gap-filling pad. Anyone with an RTX 3080 or 3090 and hot memory should read the backplate listings below, and anyone opening a card for a repad should start with the pad.
Quick List
- GPU Backplate Memory Heatsink with Dual 70mm PWM Fan – best for a fan-assisted backplate heatsink that includes a 1.2 mm pad
- GOWENIC GPU Backplate Memory Radiator – best for an aluminum alloy heatsink with a 4-pin fan for RTX 30-series cards
- JIUWU Copper Heatsink Pad Shim, 20x20x0.5 mm (pack of 20) – best for advanced users who need thin copper shims, not a backplate
- Watercool Heatkiller V eBC Backplate – best for water-cooled RTX 3080 and 3090 builds that want a passive backplate
- Pomya GPU Backplate Cooler with Dual 5000RPM Fans – best for forced-air cooling of RTX 30-series memory
- Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 (120x20x2.0 mm) – best for a flexible, non-conductive repad material
Which One Is Right for You?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| want to repad a card and need a non-conductive, self-adhesive material | Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 |
| run a custom water loop on an RTX 3080 or 3090 | Watercool Heatkiller V eBC Backplate |
| have a hot RTX 30-series card and want fans on the back | Pomya GPU Backplate Cooler |
| want a smaller aluminum heatsink with one 4-pin fan | GOWENIC GPU Backplate Memory Radiator |
| want a fan-cooled heatsink that already includes a 1.2 mm pad | GPU Backplate Memory Heatsink with Dual 70mm PWM Fan |
| do precise thermal modding and understand the shorting risk | JIUWU Copper Shim Pack |
Backplate coolers solve one problem: heat on the rear of the card, mostly from memory modules and sometimes from power stages. Pads solve a different problem: poor contact between a chip and its cooler. If your temperatures are fine, none of these are necessary. If a monitoring tool shows memory running far hotter than the GPU core, start by finding out whether your card has memory chips on the back before buying anything. Also decide how comfortable you are opening a card: the finned kits mostly mount from the outside, while the pad and the shim require disassembly and careful work. Beginners usually do better with a bolt-on kit that matches their exact card than with loose materials, and experienced owners tend to prefer the pad because it solves the contact problem at its source.
GPU Backplate Memory Heatsink with Dual 70mm PWM Fan & 1.2mm 7W Thermal Pad
Included for '6 Best GPU Backplates and Cooling Pads (October 2026) Top Reviews' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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GOWENIC GPU Backplate Memory Radiator, Aluminum Alloy Heatsink Cooler with 4Pin Cooling Fan and Thermal Pad for Graphics Card RTX3090 3080 3070
Included for '6 Best GPU Backplates and Cooling Pads (October 2026) Top Reviews' as a relevant option in this category; details come from the product listing.
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JIUWU GPU CPU Backplate Copper Heatsink Pad Shim 20x20x0.5mm | for Laptops and Desktop Computers, Pack of 20
Included for '6 Best GPU Backplates and Cooling Pads (October 2026) Top Reviews' because the listing specifies for Laptops and Desktop Computers and Pack of 20, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Watercool Heatkiller V eBC Backplate für RTX 3080/3090 - Nickel | Nickel-Plated Aluminum, 150 g, Cools GPU/RAM/VRM on PCB Backside, Pre-Cut Thermal Pads Included
Included for '6 Best GPU Backplates and Cooling Pads (October 2026) Top Reviews' because the listing specifies Nickel and Nickel-Plated Aluminum, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Pomya GPU Backplate Cooler with Dual 4-Pin 5000RPM Fans, Aluminum Alloy Heatsink for RTX 3090 3080 3070 Graphics Card, Memory Cooling Kit for Vertical Mount
Included for '6 Best GPU Backplates and Cooling Pads (October 2026) Top Reviews' because the listing specifies Aluminum Alloy Heatsink for RTX 3090 3080 3070 Graphics Card and Memory Cooling Kit for Vertical Mount, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 120x20x2.0 mm 1 Pack Thermal Pad for GPU & RAM | Self Adhesive, Easy to Install, Electrically Non-Conductive Thermal Pads for SSD, VRAM, Laptops and Consoles
Included for '6 Best GPU Backplates and Cooling Pads (October 2026) Top Reviews' because the listing specifies Self Adhesive and Easy to Install, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonAll 6 Picks in Detail
1. GPU Backplate Memory Heatsink with Dual 70mm PWM Fan – Best for a Fan-Assisted Backplate Heatsink
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This listing is an add-on heatsink for the back of a graphics card, with two 70 mm PWM fans and a 1.2 mm, 7W thermal pad per the listing name. It suits an owner of a card with memory on the back of the board who wants extra airflow there. The listing name does not state which cards it fits, so confirm the compatibility list, the mounting method and the fan connector before ordering.
- Cooler type: backplate memory heatsink with fans, per the listing
- Fans: dual 70 mm PWM, as stated
- Thermal pad: 1.2 mm thick, rated 7W, per the listing name; confirm the unit on the page
- Card compatibility: confirm on listing
- Mounting method and weight: confirm on listing
Pros
- PWM fans let your motherboard set the speed
- Includes a pad, so you do not need to buy one separately
Cons
- Adds weight to the back of the card, so pair it with a support if you have sag
- Fan noise and clearance depend on your case
Compared with the GOWENIC, it uses two fans instead of one, so it suits a card that needs more airflow, while the GOWENIC is the simpler heatsink. It suits an owner who has confirmed that their card has memory on the back, who has a spare PWM header, and who wants a kit that is ready to install without sourcing a pad separately. Before ordering, find the mounting method on the product page, because adhesive, clips and screws all behave differently on a card that you may one day want to return to stock.
2. GOWENIC GPU Backplate Memory Radiator – Best for an Aluminum Heatsink With One 4-Pin Fan
GOWENIC lists an aluminum alloy heatsink and cooler with a 4-pin cooling fan and a thermal pad for graphics cards in the RTX 3090 and 3080 class; the listing name is cut off after that, so confirm the full list of supported cards. It suits owners who want a modest passive-plus-fan solution rather than a big dual-fan kit. Because the fan uses a 4-pin connector, it is intended to connect to a motherboard fan header; confirm the connector type and cable length.
- Cooler type: backplate memory radiator, per the listing name
- Material: aluminum alloy, as stated
- Fan: one 4-pin fan, according to the listing
- Card compatibility: RTX 3090 and 3080 named; confirm the remaining models
- Thermal pad: included, per the title; confirm thickness
Pros
- Simpler and lighter than a dual-fan design
- 4-pin control allows speed adjustment from the motherboard
Cons
- Less airflow than dual-fan kits
- Listing name is truncated, so verify card compatibility carefully
If you want more airflow, the Pomya and the 70 mm dual-fan heatsink above offer two fans; if you prefer simplicity, this one is the lighter choice. It suits someone with a lightly loaded case who wants a small improvement in rear-of-card airflow without noise from two fast fans. Keep expectations modest: a single small fan and an aluminum plate can help a little, but they cannot fix a card whose memory runs hot because of worn factory pads.
3. JIUWU Copper Heatsink Pad Shim – Not a Backplate, a Modding Accessory
This listing is a pack of 20 copper shims measuring 20 by 20 by 0.5 mm, described for GPU and CPU backplate use in laptops and desktops. It is not a backplate and not a cooling pad in the soft, adhesive sense; it is a thin metal spacer for experienced modders who need to bridge a small gap. Copper conducts electricity, so a shim touching the wrong part of a circuit board can cause a short. That is why it is placed here as an accessory and not as a general recommendation.
- Type: copper shim, per the listing
- Size: 20 by 20 by 0.5 mm, as stated
- Pack: 20 pieces, according to the title
- Intended use: GPU and CPU heatsink gap filling, per the listing
- Electrical behavior: copper conducts electricity; keep it off exposed contacts
Pros
- Thin copper transfers heat well when used correctly
- Pack of 20 is plenty for experiments
Cons
- Electrically conductive, so a mistake can damage a card
- Needs careful measuring and thermal paste, and is not beginner-friendly
Choose it only if you already know why you need a shim; otherwise the Minus Pad 8 is the safer way to fill a gap. It suits experienced hardware modders working on a bench with calipers, thermal paste and a plan for insulating nearby contacts. Anyone repairing a card for the first time should skip it and read the pad guidance below.
4. Watercool Heatkiller V eBC Backplate – Best for Water-Cooled RTX 3080 and 3090 Builds
This is a passive backplate for RTX 3080 and 3090 cards, built from nickel-plated aluminum at about 150 g with pre-cut thermal pads, according to the listing name. It is meant to cool the GPU, memory and power components from the back of the PCB, and it suits owners who are already running a compatible water block. Watercool’s materials note that card layouts vary, so check its compatibility chart before ordering, and note that at least one retailer marks the nickel version end of life.
- Type: passive backplate, per the listing
- Material: nickel-plated aluminum, as stated
- Weight: about 150 g, according to the title
- Compatibility: RTX 3080 and 3090; confirm your exact model
- Included: pre-cut thermal pads, per the listing
Pros
- Ties into the structure of the card and adds stiffness
- No fans or noise
Cons
- Card-specific, with limited compatibility
- Availability may be limited, so confirm stock and fit
Compared with the fan-assisted coolers, it is silent, while the fan kits give active airflow without a water loop. It suits an owner who already has, or is planning, a Watercool Heatkiller V block, and who cares about a quiet build and a matching nickel finish. If you run an air-cooled card, a card-specific passive backplate like this one rarely makes sense, because your cooler is not designed around it.
5. Pomya GPU Backplate Cooler – Best for Forced-Air Cooling With Dual 5000RPM Fans
The Pomya is a memory cooling kit with an aluminum alloy heatsink and two 4-pin fans rated at 5000 RPM, aimed at RTX 3090, 3080 and 3070 cards, with the listing name cut off after that. It suits a builder with a hot card who is willing to accept more fan noise in exchange for stronger airflow. Fans at that speed can be audible, so use motherboard fan control to set a curve.
- Cooler type: backplate cooler with heatsink, per the title
- Fans: two 4-pin, up to 5000 RPM, as stated
- Material: aluminum alloy, per the listing
- Card compatibility: RTX 3090, 3080 and 3070 named; confirm the rest
- Pad and mounting hardware: confirm on listing
Pros
- Two fans provide strong airflow over the heatsink
- Fan speed is adjustable through 4-pin control
Cons
- High-speed fans can be loud
- Adds weight to the card; consider a support bracket
Against the 70 mm dual-fan heatsink, it advertises higher fan speed, so it suits cases with good airflow where noise is less of a concern. It is the most aggressive of the fan kits, a fit for a test bench or an open-frame build where a loud fan is acceptable. In a quiet office PC, you would likely want to run the fans well below their maximum with a temperature-based curve.
6. Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 – Best for a Flexible Non-Conductive Repad
The Minus Pad 8 is a 120 by 20 by 2.0 mm thermal pad listed for GPU and RAM, self-adhesive and electrically non-conductive. Retailer data for the product line lists a thermal conductivity of 8 W/mK; confirm on the product page for the exact pack you buy. It suits anyone opening a card to replace worn pads or to add a pad to a heatsink, and it is a sensible companion to any add-on heatsink that arrives without a pad of the right thickness.
- Size: 120 by 20 by 2.0 mm, per the listing
- Pack: one strip
- Adhesive: self-adhesive, as stated
- Electrical behavior: non-conductive, per the listing
- Thermal conductivity: 8 W/mK in retailer data; confirm on listing
Pros
- Non-conductive material is safer around exposed contacts
- Easy to cut to size
Cons
- A 2.0 mm thickness may be too thick or thin for some gaps
- Requires opening the card, which can affect its warranty
Compared with the shim, it is far safer, and compared with the finned coolers, it handles contact problems but adds no airflow.
Specs Compared
| Product | Type | Material | Cooling method | Thermal pad | Card fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Backplate Memory Heatsink with Dual 70mm PWM Fan | Add-on backplate heatsink | Confirm on listing | Two 70 mm PWM fans | 1.2 mm, 7W per listing | Confirm on listing |
| GOWENIC GPU Backplate Memory Radiator | Add-on heatsink | Aluminum alloy | One 4-pin fan | Included; thickness: confirm on listing | RTX 3090 and 3080 named; confirm rest |
| JIUWU Copper Heatsink Pad Shim | Copper shim | Copper | None | Not a pad | GPU and CPU use; confirm |
| Watercool Heatkiller V eBC Backplate | Passive backplate | Nickel-plated aluminum, about 150 g | Passive | Pre-cut pads included | RTX 3080 and 3090 |
| Pomya GPU Backplate Cooler | Add-on heatsink | Aluminum alloy | Two 4-pin fans up to 5000 RPM | Confirm on listing | RTX 3090, 3080, 3070 named |
| Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 | Thermal pad | Confirm on listing | None | 120 x 20 x 2.0 mm, 8 W/mK in retailer data | GPU and RAM, per listing |
How We Chose These
This page comes from desk research, not from installing the parts. We started from the product set drawn from current catalog listings, read each listing name for material, fan configuration and card compatibility, and then consulted Thermal Grizzly and Watercool product pages and retailer specification fields where they were available. We gave priority to listings that state what they fit and how they cool, and we flagged the items that are not backplates, such as the copper shim and the pad. Where a listing name is truncated or silent, we write that you should confirm it on the product page. We did not measure temperatures, so we make no claims about how many degrees any part will save.
What to Look For
Do you actually have a back-of-board heat problem?
Backplate cooling matters most on cards that place memory chips on both sides of the board. The RTX 3090 is the usual example, with modules on the back, which is why memory temperatures drew so much attention on that generation. Many other cards have memory only on the front, where a backplate does little for memory. Check your card’s teardown information and use a monitoring tool to read memory temperature before you buy. If the number is well within the memory maker’s limits, leave the card alone.
Thermal pad thickness and conductivity
Pad thickness must match the gap between the chip and the cooler. Too thin leaves an air gap and poor contact; too thick can lift the heatsink off the GPU core and hurt core cooling. The rule of thumb is to measure the stock pad with calipers, buy the same thickness, and avoid stacking pads. Worked example: if the stock pad on a memory chip measures 2.0 mm, a 2.0 mm replacement is the starting point; going to 1.5 mm or 2.5 mm without measuring is a guess. Conductivity is quoted in W/mK, and a higher number moves heat more readily, but contact and thickness matter as much.
Electrical safety and conductive materials
Anything metal on the back of a circuit board can short against exposed solder points or component legs. Copper shims and bare metal heatsinks should never touch bare contacts, and some listings include insulating pads or tape for that reason. A non-conductive pad such as the Minus Pad 8 is the safer material around exposed parts. Always power down, unplug the PC and discharge static before opening a case, and keep fan cables clear of moving blades.
Choosing between a backplate cooler and a repad
A backplate cooler adds surface area and airflow on the back of the card, while a repad restores contact between each chip and the cooler on the front or back. When factory pads have dried out or slipped, a repad is usually the simpler and more effective first step, and a heatsink only helps once contact is good. If you do both, repad first, then add the heatsink, and monitor memory temperature for a few sessions so you can tell which change helped.
A careful repad routine
Photograph the card before disassembly and keep screws sorted by location. Remove the old pads, clean the chips with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth, then cut new pads slightly smaller than the chips so they do not overhang onto components. Place each pad flat, reassemble in the original screw order and tighten evenly in a cross pattern. Over-tightening can crack a board, so stop when the screws are snug. Run a short load test while watching temperatures before you consider the job finished.
Fans, power and noise
Backplate coolers with fans usually connect to a 4-pin PWM fan header, which supplies 12 V and a control signal. Count your motherboard headers and cable lengths before ordering. A 5000 RPM fan will be audible, so set a temperature-based curve rather than running full speed. Check that the fans will not collide with the case panel, CPU cooler or neighboring expansion cards.
Weight, warranty and card support
A metal heatsink and fans add weight to the back of an already heavy card, and that can worsen sag, so a support bracket may be worth adding. Opening or modifying a card may affect its warranty, so check your card maker’s terms. Treat any modification as an advanced job and document the original pad positions with photos before you start.
Questions
Do I need a backplate cooler if my card already has a backplate?
Often not. The stock backplate is mainly structural, and many cards run fine without extra cooling. Consider an add-on only if memory temperatures are high and the card has chips on the back.
Can I use any thermal pad on a GPU?
Use a non-conductive pad of the correct thickness. Pads vary in conductivity and thickness, so measure first and choose a pad that matches the original gap.
Is a copper shim safe to use?
It can work in experienced hands, but copper conducts electricity and can short a card if it touches the wrong place. A non-conductive pad is the safer option for most people.
Will a backplate fan kit fit my case?
It depends on clearance behind the card, so check the distance to the side panel and any cooler or cable in the way. Confirm dimensions on the product page.
How do I power a backplate fan?
Most 4-pin fans plug into a motherboard fan header. Confirm that the connector and cable length reach a header, and set a fan curve in your BIOS or software.
Does adding a backplate heatsink void my warranty?
It can, especially if you remove the stock backplate or cooler. Check your card maker’s warranty terms before opening the card.
Update History
- October 20, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Manufacturer product and specification pages for Thermal Grizzly and Watercool
- Retailer listing titles and specification fields for every product covered
