How to pack a graphics card for shipping
Graphics cards are heavy — a flagship weighs around two kilograms — and their weight sits on a thin circuit board with a metal bracket at one end. Almost every card damaged in transit was packed too loosely. This is how to pack one so it arrives exactly as it left.
1. Take the card out safely
- Shut the computer down and switch off or unplug the power supply.
- Unplug the power cables from the card, pressing the clip on each one.
- Remove the screws holding the bracket to the case, and any support bracket under the card.
- Press the release latch on the PCIe slot and lift the card out straight, holding it by its edges and bracket.
2. Anti-static bag
Slide the card into an anti-static bag — the silver or pink kind cards and motherboards come in. An ordinary plastic bag can build up static; if you have no anti-static bag, wrap the card in paper before the bubble wrap rather than in plastic.
3. Wrap it
Wrap the bagged card in one to two inches of bubble wrap on every side, with an extra layer over the fans and the bracket end, which take the knocks. Tape the wrap closed so the card can’t slide out of it.
4. Box it with room to spare
- Use a sturdy box that leaves at least an inch of space around the wrapped card on every side, and fill that space with more bubble wrap or crumpled paper so nothing moves when you shake it.
- The card’s original box is ideal — put it inside a larger box with padding around it.
- Avoid loose packing peanuts on their own: a heavy card settles through them to the side of the box.
- Seal every seam with packing tape and take a photo of the card before you close it.
Selling to RebootSemi? We’ll send you a free anti-static mailer with everything above in it if you ask, and the prepaid label covers insured shipping.
What to leave out
Just the card. Cables, power adapters, the retail box’s accessories and support brackets don’t change the offer, and leaving them out keeps the parcel small. Before it goes, make sure the card works — here is how to test it.
Shipping several cards
Bag and wrap each card on its own so no two touch, then box them together with padding between and around them. A whole rig’s worth is easier priced in one go on the mining rig page, and a large lot through a bulk quote, where freight on lots over $5,000 is on us.