Size

[Coffee Crisp]

Hi, I'm thinking of changing the GPU on one of my desktop PCs. I don't have to worry about power because I recently (Just a couple hours ago) installed a 700W PSU with 2x PCI-E connectors, 6 x SATA Connector, 4 + 4 pin sever CPU connector, and a 20+4 pin main connector. You're probably thinking "oh, just go ahead and buy a GTX 295 then". Problem is, most high end cards are complete fat asses, even old cards like the 8800.

 

I opened up my case again and did some measurements, right now on my PC I have a 4650 1GB, it's about 7.5 inches (19cm)long and I have about 4-5 inches (10-13cm) of space between the end of the card and the hard drive bay.

 

Question is. What's the best card (max $200) that I can place in my tower case that can actually fit?

[Shadowex3]

Go to newegg, read the card dimensions, measure your case.

[Coffee Crisp]

Go to newegg, read the card dimensions, measure your case.

 

fine

[Akaru]

Get a new case.

[Coffee Crisp]

I looked at some dimensions, continued my measurements. I could probably fit a GTX 295 with about an inch of room left.. lol! Given that it's probably one of the largest cards in the current GPU market I guess I can pretty much fit anything.

[Shadowex3]

Vertical room will almost always be more of an issue than horizontal room unless you've got a tinyass little minitower or a really balls-up strangely designed midtower that obstructs an ATX mobo for some reason.

 

Just make sure you don't block it's fan intake with other cards. That Is A Bad Thing™.

[Akaru]

Vertical room will almost always be more of an issue than horizontal room unless you've got a tinyass little minitower or a really balls-up strangely designed midtower that obstructs an ATX mobo for some reason.

 

Just make sure you don't block it's fan intake with other cards. That Is A Bad Thing™.

 

I don't understand how people are able to go SLI/CF with 2 cards stacked next to each other and still have fine temperatures. Shouldn't the card closest to the motherboard be dying from heat issues?

[Shadowex3]

most well designed mobos tend to keep the cards spaced further apart than the first ones, hence the common PCIE-PCI-PCIE arrangement. Plus most peopel that can afford SLI can also afford to use alternating mounts with TR coolers or the Acceleros.

[Akaru]

most well designed mobos tend to keep the cards spaced further apart than the first ones, hence the common PCIE-PCI-PCIE arrangement. Plus most peopel that can afford SLI can also afford to use alternating mounts with TR coolers or the Acceleros.

 

I usually see people with stock coolers that take 2 slots, so either way, the cards are stacked next to each other.

 

Like this:

http://www.overclock.net/attachments/hardware-news/75538d1213557665-fudzilla-nvidia-gtx-280-sli-tri-gtx280_3sli_1.jpg

[Coffee Crisp]

Well I just installed a 4890, was hoping to get a GTX 295 or 4870x2 but they didn't have any so I got a 1GB from Sapphire (Fagphire). It barely fits my case LOL. I had to move my SATA cables because if I layed my 4890 down they'd probably get knocked out of the port. I have like half an inch of room left. Good thing I calculated and measured my case. If anybody is wondering, this card is beast for 200 bucks. Though most of the GTX 200 series can knock it out, it's great for its price and I wouldn't mind doing crossfire with it when I get a bigger case. I get about 60-80fps average on COD4 with 1600x1200 resolution and about 100 fps average 1600x1200 on CSS. I'm checking out Crysis now. It overclocks great and the box came with free converters (of course) and a Crossfire bridge.