Windows 7: What did Dell do to this Radeon 6770?

What is the purpose ot the extension on this Dell XPS 8300 Radeon 6770 card?

Passive cooling? Makes throwing easier? Doubles as a shovel?

does it attach to the other side of the case some how?

Most of the Big cards get shipped out like this in CARTONS so they can be picket up, I spose there just too damn lazy too take it off.

My Very old NVidia 8800GTX had one. LOL at your though.

Extra hard drive bay.

Good answers all!

I have found out that the XPS 8300 I7 2600 system that the Radeon 6700 is an option in (among other Dell systems I assume) has an optional bracket that is supposed to secure the end of the video card in the front of the case. The bracket is depicted in the 8300 Service Manual (as an option)

There was no bracket listed in the detail parts list in the Order Confirmation from Dell for the 8300 I ordered (refurb from Dell Outlet).

So I guess that Dell decided to do away with the optional bracket but still installs its OEM Radeon 6770 cards that have the extension (?).

It is somewhat odd looking in that the extension, while securely mounted to the video cards PCB, simply hangs suspended in the case touching nothing and doing nothing.

I am going to look at it again to see if it can be removed without jeopardizing the integrity of the card itself.

I would like to get rid of it since, if it really does not serve any purpose, it adds weight to the card and interferes with the ONLY space in the 8300 case where a second case fan (80 or 92mm) MIGHT be able to be mounted as an intake.

Well, it is useful and needed after all.

After some time on the phone Dell is shipping me 2 graphics card brackets to ensure I get the right one. The extension in the picture in combination with the (missing) bracket secures the back end of the card to the case.

Only as far as Dell is concerned. You won't find that bracket on any other 6770 (or even on any cards that are longer) made by any of the AMD partners.

It was made that way specifically for shipping it installed in a PC.

Makes sense I guess. Then again I have seen some weird things inside Dell computers.