Whether you want a different look with your computer case or you have a really compact mini ITX computer case, there might be a chance that you may want to mount the graphics card of your computer vertically or at an angle. And if you want to mount the GPU of your computer away from the motherboard, then you will need to use something like the best PCIe risers given down below that have been chosen as per these specifications:
- PCIe Version: Before checking anything else, you first need to ensure that the PCIe riser cable that you are using supports the PCIe version used by your motherboard as well as your graphics card. Because if it does not support the same version as the other two, you may run into compatibility issues. While buying PCIe riser cables, you can find both PCIe version 3.0 and PCIe version 4.0 options where you need to go with the PCIe version used by your graphics card and motherboard.
- Riser Length: Just like another other extension cable or riser cable that you may use, a PCIe riser cable is only going to be useful when it is long enough to connect your graphics card to your motherboard irrespective of the placement of your graphics card. Since PCIe riser cables need to support a high bandwidth signal, these only have limited length options including 200 mm, 250 mm, and 300 mm PCIe riser cables where longer ones are always more practical.
- PCIe Slot Size: In order to use a given graphics card, it first needs to fit inside the physical slot of your computer whether it is the motherboard one or the riser cable one. This, the PCIe slot size used by your PCIe riser is also quite important. Fortunately, since PCIe riser cables are primarily used for graphics cards, all of them use an x16 slot which is the same one used by computer GPUs as well.
While these are certainly some of the primary specifications regarding PCIe riser cables, there is still much more to consider while getting one. Due to this, all of the best PCIe risers given in this list also have their primary aspects and factors given next to them. In fact, there is even an extensive “Buying Guide” and a few common FAQs for the best PCIe risers so that you can pick the best one by going through this list.
Best PCIe Risers Table
| Best PCIe Risers | PCIe Version | Length | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermaltake PCIe Risers | PCIe 3.0 | 200 mm | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| CoolerMaster PCIe Risers | PCIe 4.0 | 300 mm | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| LINKUP PCIe Risers | PCIe 4.0 | 200 mm | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| EZDIY-FAB PCIe Risers | PCIe 3.0 | 200 mm | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
| LIAN Li PCIe Risers | PCIe 4.0 | 200 mm | 1 year long | Check On Amazon |
Best PCIe Risers Reviews
1. Thermaltake PCIe Risers
Thermaltake is one of the most popular brands of computer cabinets and other related accessories that you can consider if you are looking for something affordable but practical at the same time.
The Thermaltake TT Gaming AC-053-CN1OTN-C1 PCIe riser cable is present in the 1st position in this list since this is one of the most affordable options given in this list. Because this is an entry level option, it uses the older PCIe version 3.0 which is to be expected. That being said, you do get a decent length of 200 mm with this PCIe riser cable for ease of use.
To ensure that you can easily connect any graphics card to this PCIe riser cable, it uses a standard sized x16 slot as well. More importantly, you get a 1 year long warranty with this PCIe riser cable which also makes it pretty amazing for long term usage.
Best Features:
- Works on the PCIe version 3.0 for connectivity with graphics cards
- Rated PCIe riser cable length of 200 mm
- Uses a standard x16 slot for connectivity with GPU
- Comes included with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Highly affordable and budget friendly PCIe riser cable
- Unique straight or 180 degree style PCIe connector for different cable management
- Small and compact riser cable for practical usage
Cons:
- Misses out on the support for the latest PCIe version and graphics cards
2. CoolerMaster PCIe Risers
When you are talking about computer cabinet brands that also offer other related accessories, then Cooler Master and its offerings are another pick that you should consider.
Cooler Master’s MasterAccessory PCIe riser cable is present in the 2nd position in this listicle as it is hands down the best performing option given here. To make this PCIe riser cable perform better than any other option, it uses the latest PCIe 4.0 version. And despite supporting a high bandwidth PCIe version, this PCIe riser cable still comes with a length of 300 mm which is higher than most others.
As for its other physical design points, this PCIe riser cable uses an x16 slot with a 90-degree connector angle for ease of use. Cooler Master also includes a 1-year warranty with this PCIe riser cable which is to be expected from such a high-end option.
Best Features:
- Works on the PCIe version 4.0 for connectivity with graphics cards
- Rated PCIe riser cable length of 300 mm
- Uses a standard x16 slot for connectivity with GPU
- Comes included with a 1-year-long warranty period
Pros:
- Best performing PCIe riser cable stated in this list for high-end GPUs
- Works with both old and newer GPU models without any compatibility issues
- Quite a long PCIe riser cable for working in larger computer cases
Cons:
- Quite an expensive PCIe riser cable compared with other options
3. LINKUP PCIe Risers
Linkup is a fairly new yet a highly popular brand of computer accessories and cables that you can consider if you are in the market for something like a PCIe riser cable.
This Linkup PCIe riser cable is present in the 3rd position in this article because it is most likely the best value-for-money option given here. For the given mid-tier price tag of this PCIe riser cable, it is quite amazing to see that it supports the latest PCIe 4.0 version graphics cards without any issues. You even get a decent and a fairly practical PCIe riser cable length of 200 mm with this unit.
And to further make this PCIe riser cable even more practical, it has even included a full x16 size slot with PCIe 4.0 support for perfect GPU performance. Even though Linkup is a pretty new brand of PCIe riser cables, you do get a 1 year long warranty with it which is even more amazing.
Best Features:
- Works on the PCIe version 4.0 for connectivity with graphics cards
- Rated PCIe riser cable length of 200 mm
- Uses a standard x16 slot for connectivity with GPU
- Comes included with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Excellent value for money PCIe riser thanks to the given price tag
- Works with pretty much all GPU models over its x16 slot
- Decent build quality along with a standard warranty period
Cons:
- Grey color scheme might not make it the first pick for some users
4. EZDIY-FAB PCIe Risers
Ezdiy Fab is definitely a brand of computer accessories that you might not have heard about in the past which still happens to be a viable option for those who want something affordable.
The Ezdiy Fab PCIe riser cable is mentioned in this list since this is a great entry level PCIe riser cable for a lot of users out there. As you would expect from such an affordable PCIe riser cable, this one is also based on the older PCIe version 3.0 which can be a bit limiting with newer graphics cards. Thankfully, the length of this PCIe riser should still be fairly manageable at 200 mm long.
One area where Ezdity Fab has not shown its entry level price tag is the 90 degree connectors for its x16 slots. And if that is not enough for your requirements, then you will be glad to know that Ezdiy Fab also includes a 1 year long warranty period with this cable.
Best Features:
- Works on the PCIe version 3.0 for connectivity with graphics cards
- Rated PCIe riser cable length of 200 mm
- Uses a standard x16 slot for connectivity with GPU
- Comes included with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- Perfect entry-level PCIe riser cable for buyers on a budget
- Decent warranty period and a good build quality at the given price tag
- Looks great inside a case thanks to its all black design
Cons:
- Cannot work with newer GPU models due to outdated PCIe version
5. LIAN Li PCIe Risers
If you know about premium and iconic brands of computer cases, then Lian Li is one of the first options that may come to your mind including its PCIe riser cable that we have mentioned here.
Lian Li’s PW-PCI-420 PCIe riser cable is mentioned in this listicle as it is one of the better performing options out there. This is primarily made possible thanks to the fact that this PCIe riser cable supports the latest PCIe version 4.0. And because you get a decent length of 200 mm as well, this PCIe riser cable is definitely a highly practical option.
Just like most other premium PCIe risers out there, this one also uses a right angle and an x16 connector so that connecting a GPU gets easier for you. Another similarity between Lian Li and other brands is that this one also features a 1 year long warranty since it is a premium one.
Best Features:
- Works on the PCIe version 4.0 for connectivity with graphics cards
- Rated PCIe riser cable length of 200 mm
- Uses a standard x16 slot for connectivity with GPU
- Comes included with a 1 year long warranty period
Pros:
- One of the best performing PCIe riser cables in its class
- Excellent compatibility with graphics cards thanks to its PCIe support
- Fairly sturdy and high quality construction for your peace of mind
Cons:
- Can be a bit on the expensive side for some users out there
Buying Guide For The Best PCIe Risers
Even though a graphic card mounted at an angle or vertically certainly looks quite unique compared to the typical orientation of a computer GPU, this is not possible without extending the PCIe slot of your computer case. Thankfully, you can do the same quite easily by using something like the best PCIe risers discussed up above in this list.
Each and every one of the best PCIe risers talked about in this list even have their significant specifications and features listed next to them. And in case you want to learn even more about PCIe risers, then consider checking out this complete buying guide for the best PCIe risers:
1. PCIe Version
Once you have connected your computer’s graphics card via a PCIe riser cable, the last thing you would want is to face compatibility issues or glitches down the line. This generally happens when the PCIe version supported by your PCIe riser is not the same as the one required by the motherboard and the GPU of your computer. Because of this, you need to ensure whether you are going with a PCIe 3.0 or a PCIe 4.0 PCIe riser cable.
While a PCIe 4.0 PCIe riser cable will work with both PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 graphics card, a PCIe 3.0 riser cable won’t support a PCIe 4.0 graphics card. Fortunately, both of these PCIe versions are fully backwards compatible with PCIe version 2.0 and PCIe version 1.0 which means that you can use any PCIe riser cable if you have an older GPU. But for newer GPUs, it is recommended to go with a PCIe 4.0 version PCIe riser cable.
2. Riser Length
Another important factor to consider while going with something like a PCIe riser cable is the riser length or the cable length. Just as you would expect from any other extension cable, a PCIe riser cable will only connect with your graphics card to your motherboard if it is long enough to reach your graphics card’s install location. As a result, different PCIe risers available out there come with different riser length options. This can include options like 200 mm, 250 mm, or even 300 mm long PCIe risers. If you are looking for the most practical and versatile PCIe riser cable, then you should go with a longer riser length of 300 mm.
3. PCIe Slot Size
Apart from reaching your graphics card from your motherboard, your PCIe riser cable also needs to have the same slot size as used by your graphics card. If you are familiar with graphics cards, then you must know that all of them connect to a x16 PCIe slot. Fortunately, this should not be an issue with any PCIe riser cable out there. Since PCIe riser cables are primarily designed for computer GPUs, almost all of them use a x16 PCIe slot for proper compatibility while connecting a graphics card.
4. Connector Angle
As mentioned earlier, a PCIe riser cable will carry high bandwidth signals which are essentially the signals used by your graphics card. And since these signals and data are meant for a very high-speed PCIe connection, the last thing you would want is for your PCIe riser cable to get damaged. Because these PCIe risers are fairly delicate, it is thus advised not to bend them too. To further prevent any PCIe riser cable bending issues, most PCIe riser connectors will offer a 90-degree connector angle which is better for vertical mounts. But if you want to be more creative with the cable management of your PC, you can also find some PCIe riser cables with a straight or a 180-degree connector angle.
5. Warranty
Similar to any other part or accessory that you may get for your computer, your PCIe riser is also something that you would want to stay functional. Since it connects the graphics card of your computer to the motherboard, the PCIe riser cable needs to perform well at all times to ensure that your GPU is working properly as well. As a result, it is always a great idea to check the included warranty period of your PCIe riser cable if you want to get something made for long-term usage. Most of the time, you will find a given PCIe riser to include a 1-year long warranty which should be plenty for most since it is not something that you get again and again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Since all of the signals and data being sent to and from your graphics card is traveling a slightly longer distance, some of you might be worried about the performance of your high end GPU. Fortunately, using PCIe riser cables does not affect the performance of your GPU as long as you are using the correct PCIe version along with it.
Ans: While most high end graphics cards will rely on 6 and 8 pin power connectors directly from the graphics card, some entry level GPUs might not be able to do so. Thankfully, PCIe riser cables are able to transfer up to 75 watts of power which should be sufficient for most entry level graphics cards that don’t come with a 6 pin or an 8 pin power connector.
Ans: If you are using a computer, then it is most likely that there are all kinds of wireless signals around it which can be coming from your WiFi router or even your smartphone. In either case, these can interfere with your PCIe riser cable and damage the signal if the riser cable is not shielded. Thankfully, that is not the case with most PCIe riser cables available out there since almost all of them are shielded cables that prevent any wireless interference.
Conclusion
A PCIe riser cable is essentially an extension cable made for the PCIe slots present on the motherboard of your computer. While you can technically use them with any extension card, they are primarily used along with GPUs for vertically mounting them inside your computer. Since they are so important for vertical GPU mounts found in modern computer cases, we have already discussed some of the best PCIe risers up above in this list. And with all of these best PCIe riser cables, you can also learn about their key features and options. You can also find a detailed buying guide and the major FAQs for the best PCIe risers up above. However, if you are still not able to pick one, consider going with one of our favorites among the best PCIe risers given above:
- In case you have a large sized computer case along with a latest and high end graphics card inside it, then you will need a PCIe riser for it accordingly. To be more precise, it happens to be the CoolerMaster PCIe Risers. Not only does it offer the highest length of 300 mm, but it even supports the latest PCIe 4.0 version so that it can work with the latest GPU models. You even get a 90 degree connector with this PCIe riser cable for easy cable management even in tight computer cases.
- When compared with all the other PCIe riser cables stated above, the ELECPOW PCIe Risers is the most affordable option which makes it great for all those who are on a budget. Considering that this is the cheapest PCIe riser given above, you get a fairly decent riser cable of 250 mm. While it only supports the older PCIe 3.0 version, most graphics cards will work just fine with this entry level PCIe riser cable.
- But if you want a comparatively newer PCIe riser cable which allows you to use the latest graphics cards without needing to pay a premium, then you can go with the LINKUP PCIe Risers. For the given mid tier price tag, you get the support of PCIe 4.0 with it which is the best thing about it. And while its 200 mm riser cable length is nothing to write home about, it is certainly decent for most users.
