Can I partially mod a Sapphire R9 390 so it's not as long? Need to trim off 4+ mm

[HDD-Mod]

The GPU is 307.34 MM in length, 12.1 inches, and my NZXT Phantom 410 can hold it fine if I remove the drive cages up top. I don't want to do this, since they are in use.

Is there any way I can file this down or mod the cooler so it's SLIGHTLY smaller?

The case can hold up to 12 inches (305mm) with cages in, 16.5 (420 mm) without

 

[Archaic59]

Let's see. Mod a $300 video card voiding the warranty or remove a drive cage from a $85 case? Hmm I wonder which I should do?

 

[HDD-Mod]

Could I mod the drive cage?

 

[Snipergod87]

Probably not. They would trim the PCB to drop manufacturing costs. And if you trim it you void the warranty. I would either buy a new case, or remove that drive bay.

You can try and trim the drive cage.

 

[dark_lord69]

He's suggesting you buy a new case that has a removable drive cage if your isn't removable.

 

[Archaic59]

OMG, leave the video card alone. Remove the drive cage and nothing gets damaged that way. You're lucky they made it so you can do that.

 

[HDD-Mod]

Mine is removable, but it has 4 drives in it, taking that out would knock me down to 2 drives instead of 6

 

[RCFProd]

Whatever you do don't trim the GPU

 

[superninja12]

who needs 6 drives???

 

[dark_lord69]

Mine is removable, but it has 4 drives in it, taking that out would knock me down to 2 drives instead of 6

Then buy some higher capacity drives or get some external drive enclosures.

 

[coozie7]

Don't try cutting the circuit board, you could wreck the card, besides, most of them are glassfibre based, cutting that stuff is both difficult and hazardous.
Is it the PCB or cooler that's in the way here? Plenty of cards have coolers that overhang the PCB and, depending on card (hint, hint) they can be changed.
The obvious other question is; Why 6 HDDS? if they're older small capacity parts you might find it better all round to swap them out for a pair of bigger units and run them in a mirrored array or to use a large external drive as backup/storage to reduce the number of drives in use.