[SOLVED] [SOLVED] A new Case or a MOBO to fit RX Vega64?

[arnuld]

So my PSU died and PCIe 3.0 slot is dead too. Got a new PSU. Old thread here.

The problem I am facing is: since 2nd PCIe slot is located at the lower side of the MOBO, the length and width of the RX Vega 64 is now interfering with the SSD bays of the case. Even though I have no SSD there but there is some metal partitioning there which is not allowing the graphics card to sit. Card is longer, check the "Problem Area":



2nd image is here: https://postimg.cc/JySVgrs3 (somehow forum can't fetch the image)

As you can see this metal section has been fixed permanently. So can't remove it. This an Antec GX202 case. The width from the end to the "Problem Area" is 11" while the graphics card is 13" long . The part of the card which has output stays outside the case for screws and the ports. So I guess 1" is that. Hence any 12" wide space wil do. Either I need to buy a new case or a new MOBO. For now I am running the set-up on cardboard box.

Antec on its website says GX202 can handle 375 mm of graphics card length (14.5") but they may be assuming that a person uses the first PCIe slot:

https://www.antec.com/product/case/gx202

From the pics people have posted in the reviews, this case looks like has a lot of space (and it doesn't have that SSD bays problem area, at least from the pics):


https://www.amazon.in/Ant-Esports-ICE-300-Computer-Cabinet/dp/B09X5QSMGB/

But at double the price of that case, I can get a new cheaper b450 MOBO itself:

https://www.amazon.in/MSI-PRO-MAX-II-Motherboard/dp/B0CJ2PXTQ5/

But then there is this case which can handle 335 mm GPUs:

https://www.flipkart.com/ant-esports-elite-1200-support-atx-mb-pre-installed-3-front-fans-1-rear-fan-mid-tower-cabinet/p/itm26e4ed17fdd8f]https://www.flipkart.com/ant-esports-elite-1200-support-atx-mb-pre-installed-3-front-fans-1-rear-fan-mid-tower-cabinet/p/itm26e4ed17fdd8f

P.S: One thing I have noticed is graphics card is not used much (even for playing 4K x265 videos). Looks like browsing, youtube, VLC, coding etc, don't depend on GPU much. RX vega 64 barely runs for 30 seconds when it heats up (like every 15-20 minutes or so). Most of the times it's the CPU which is changing fan speed. Just pointing out that maybw next time when I build a PC, I just won't get a graphics card, a simple CPU with gpu would do ( like Ryzen 5600G) or get a smaller graphics card as long as it supports x264/265 codecs.

 

[Lutfij]

If you're absolutely sure that the first PCIe slot got taken out by the PSU failing, then I'd replace the motherboard(after you've invested in a reliably built PSU. I would opt for a B550 chipset board and one with a VRM area that has heatsinks on it.

Your GPU's on it's way out and I'm assuming the next GPU might be as long as the Vega64 you have now. I also see your rams populating the wrong slots on the board, which are currently A1 and A2, they should be populating slots A2 and B2.

 

[Aeacus]

As you can see this metal section has been fixed permanently. So can't remove it.

Sure you can. Take angle grinder and cut it off. That 3. 5" cage does 0 in terms of PC case's structural integrity. Also, it would be the cheapest/ easiest/ fastest fix.

 

[Eximo]

New chassis is about $50. This one is pretty basic but would get it done.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/gkJp99/gamemax-edge-atx-mid-tower-case-edge

Spend a little more and you can get RGB fans and such still well under $100.

Replacement motherboard is a good idea too.

 

[arnuld]

If you're absolutely sure that the first PCIe slot got taken out by the PSU failing, then I'd replace the motherboard(after you've invested in a reliably built PSU. I would opt for a B550 chipset board and one with a VRM area that has heatsinks on it.

Your GPU's on it's way out and I'm assuming the next GPU might be as long as the Vega64 you have now. I also see your rams populating the wrong slots on the board, which are currently A1 and A2, they should be populating slots A2 and B2.

Sadly, don't have budget for B550. Also, I don't want every inch of performance. I just learn programming/coding, use Linux, browse/search a lot, and watch some 4K videos.

if GPU's on its way out then it's lot of money to spend. Can't do that right now.

From the day one I got this MOBO, system does not boot with RAMs anywhere except A1 and A2 slots.

 

[arnuld]

Sure you can. Take angle grinder and cut it off. That 3. 5" cage does 0 in terms of PC case's structural integrity. Also, it would be the cheapest/ easiest/ fastest fix.

Yes, i did think about it but I don't have one angle grinder. A new angle grinder costs the same as new case. Unlike the western society, in India, we don't have such tools at home

 

[arnuld]

New chassis is about $50. This one is pretty basic but would get it done.

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/gkJp99/gamemax-edge-atx-mid-tower-case-edge

Spend a little more and you can get RGB fans and such still well under $100.

Replacement motherboard is a good idea too.

Can't find this on amazon India.

MOBO I can replace but then removing CPU is a big job. The heatsink (AMD Wraith Prism) is so large that it covers everything and I can't reach the CPU socket hook. Last time I pulled it out to check for everything, it came out with socket-lock on and hence bending some CPU pins (luckily only tiny bends, did not cause any trouble putting the CPU back). That's why I am scared of opening it again. You can't even see the hook with this big heatsink. Any clever way of opening it?

 

[Eximo]

The heatsink should always come off first. What you should do is turn the computer on for a bit, let it warm up, then shut it down. Twist the CPU cooler back and forth a little before releasing the mount. That should break the thermal compound enough to leave the CPU in the socket. Then you remove the CPU normally.

Shop around for chassis. Just avoid an older one that still has 3.5" drive bays.

 

[Aeacus]

Unlike the western society, in India, we don't have such tools at home

There are vehicle repair shops on every corner. Take your case with you, walk to one, ask to cut piece of metal out and give some Rupees for the effort. Simple.

Doesn't have to be vehicle repair shop. Any site with angle grinder will do. E.g construction site or metal workshop. Or maybe even neighbors/relatives have one. Just ask around.

One option is to hammer rivets out that are holing the HDD cage in place. It takes more effort than just cutting it out with angle grinder. Still, if there is a will - there is a way.

 

[geofelt]

Yes, i did think about it but I don't have one angle grinder. A new angle grinder costs the same as new case. Unlike the western society, in India, we don't have such tools at home

I suspect that if you were to bend the tab up and down, metal fatigue at the angle would snap the tab off.
A hacksaw might do it too.
The case looks to have good ventilation. (it can use a good cleaning too)

 

[arnuld]

My friend had a drill and I drilled those rivets out and took that metal part out easily and cleanly. Now, RX Vega 64 is running on PCIe 2.0 slot, and MOBO is back into the case, all running great. Thanks to you guys and this forum which connected us.

Now let's see how long this MOBO and RX Vega 64 last.