Best graphics card to fit Antec Fusion Remote Black case

[mattmonk]

I currently have an HTPC in an Antec Fusion Remote Black case and looking to add a discrete graphics card for some gaming at 1080p.

Case: Antec Fusion Remote Black
CPU: Intel i3 2105
Mobo: Asrock Z68 Pro3-M
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3-2000 4GB (2x2GB)
PSU: Seasonic S12II 430W
OS: Win 7 x64

Full parts currently in machine here: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/J7W2bv

The case, however, is somewhat restricted in terms of length and particularly height. From measurements (also see photos), I should be able to fit a graphics card up to 22-23 cm (9 in.) in length, but only slightly higher, approx. 1.2-1.5 cm (0.5-0.6 in.), than the top of the slot bracket. I guess that probably ( ) corresponds to a max. card height of approx. 11 cm (4.3 in.). So nothing that has cooling sticking much up above the bracket or that has the power connection on the top of the card.

Photos of case & available space

I was look at something around the HD 7870/R9 270/270X or the GTX 660/660 Ti/760 level of performance, though if that's overkill I'm happy to go lower.

Budget is around £150-160 (US$260-270), availability in the UK, as cool and quiet as possible given the above requirements.

Some possible options:
Sapphire Dual X Radeon R9 270X
Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 7850 Dual-X OC
MSI GTX 760 ITX (but power connector is on top)

Thanks.

 

[awejrg]

I found this http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-760ti-oem/specifications

 

[bccorrupt]

I have the Antec NSK2480 HTPC case in my living room and I'll also warn you to watch where the 6pin pci-e connects. If it connects on the side the top lid won't clear the power cable. Be careful with how deep the card is also or the fan will butt right against the divider wall to the power supply. I was hoping my last gaming card would work with an Artic cooling setup to save me from buying a card when I had one laying around, but the connector stopped me from using it. I ended up going with an MSI GTX750ti(the short one).

Most of the GTX660 and GTX760 choices are 25-26cm long so I believe they'd be a problem to fit length-wise. I think the 270x is your best choice in that price range.

 

[mattmonk]

I found this http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-760ti-oem/specifications

Thanks. Not sure that exact model is available in the UK, but I'll have a look. I've found most card suppliers also tend to stray outside the reference card's dimensions with their cooling solutions, which is what's causing some uncertainty.

 

[mattmonk]

I have the Antec NSK2480 HTPC case in my living room and I'll also warn you to watch where the 6pin pci-e connects. If it connects on the side the top lid won't clear the power cable. Be careful with how deep the card is also or the fan will butt right against the divider wall to the power supply.

Thanks for the advice. Looks like your case is the same as mine, just without the front LED display. I thought I'd almost found the ideal card with the MSI R9 270X ITX or the Asus GTX 760 Mini, but both of those have the power connector on the side (becoming the top), as you mentioned.

I was hoping my last gaming card would work with an Artic cooling setup to save me from buying a card when I had one laying around, but the connector stopped me from using it. I ended up going with an MSI GTX750ti(the short one).

Is this the MSI GTX750 Ti card you have? Does that leave any clearance to the top of your case (i.e. is it touching)? Any problems (noise, cooling, performance) with it?

 

[bccorrupt]

Yes, that's the one I have. I wanted the twin frozr model because I'd seen reviews showing it was ridiculously quiet, but it extends about twice as far over the top of the bracket(which isn't much, but it looked like it might be enough to not fit). I assume the regular model falls between the twin frozr and the reference in fan noise, which is still extremely good because the 750 and 750ti are without a doubt the quietest cards under load with actually decent performance you can get. They literally make no more noise under full load than idling. Here's a link showing a review.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/MSI/GTX_750_Ti_Gaming/24.html

 

[bccorrupt]

Update:
I found a listing of cards that will fit, or at least they claim they will
https://pcpartpicker.com/parts/video-card/?compatible_with=antec-case-fusionremoteblack#sort=a2

 

[mattmonk]

Thanks for that. I like the look of the GTX 750 Ti, particularly from a noise, power & temps perspective, but thinking I'll go for the R9 270X, since it's within budget and specs.

Have narrowed down my list to:

• ■HIS R9 270X Mini IceQ (H270XQMS2G2M) (only 21 x 11 x 4 cm)
  ■Sapphire R9 270X (100364L) (a bit longer at 22.8 x 11 x 4 cm)

Both available for around the £140 mark. Preferring the HIS, since it has DisplayPort ports, but hard to find reviews specifically on the mini model.

EDIT: Extra link to the HIS card with some photos:
http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-810.shtml

 

[bccorrupt]

You've probably already bought a GPU a long time ago, but I thought I'd add some info in case you need it in the future with that case. Your question got me to thinking because my gf had been complaining that the 6850 in my 2nd computer was so much slower on games than my main pc, so I decided there had to be a way to get that 6850 into my HTPC to free up the 750ti for my 2nd computer until I buy another 750ti or upgrade my 660 and I figured it out. I bought this extension cable, and with it I was able to fit the 6850 with the side power connection into my Antec HTPC case. So if you haven't bought a GPU yet this might open up some other options to you as far as GPUs with side power connections are concerned.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261455737540?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649