GPU doesn't fit in case

[tomashede]

Hello. So, I recently bought a MSI R9 280X graphics card but it doesn't fit in my case. The HDD bay is in the way. Is there anything I can do? I don't want to buy a new case just yet, because I bought other components (CPU and such) and I'm out of money.

Here's how it looks.
http://i.imgur.com/EfdzWhO.jpg (red is the new card length)
http://i.imgur.com/nI2KbJ8.png
http://i.imgur.com/TF8nK5R.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EaR46SO.jpg

 

[IInuyasha74]

Your only hope is that the width of the card is smaller than the HDD bay. If it is, then you can put it in at an angle, with the back going in first, and when its plugged in the motherboard the back of the card will literally be inside of the HDD bay.

If that doesn't work, your only options are to buy a different graphics card, buy a larger case, or rig up an open air system without a protective case.

 

[JohnKau]

Unfortunately there's no easy solution. You could:

1) Remove the HDD bay entirely
2) Cut a hole in the HDD bay
3) Remove the plastic shroud and see if it fits. If it still doesn't, you could grind off the edge of the heatsink. I would remove the heatsink from the card first though.
4) Exchange the card for a smaller one
5) Use a PCIe riser cable and plop your card outside your PC
6) Rage for the next 2 hours and do nothing about it

 

[wolverine96]

Which case is it? If you can remove the HDD cage, that's what you'll have to do.

 

[tomashede]

Cutting a hole big enough for the card was my original plan. I'm not sure if it would work though. I just wanted to make sure if there's any other, cheap way.
If it won't work, I'll just buy a new case. I'm a bit mad because I thought there would be ~1cm of space for my card (checked it before). After all, I already spent ~200$.

The case is an old one, don't exactly remember - one of Qoltec's ATX cases.

So, is cutting a hole a good idea? I can move HDD a bit lower I think.

 

[wolverine96]

So, is cutting a hole a good idea? I can move HDD a bit lower I think.

Sounds like a good plan to me! Aside from buying a new case, that's all you can do.

Would the card fit if you [theoretically] removed the HDD cage, installed the card, and then re-installed the HDD cage? If so, you can probably squeeze the card in like IInuyasha74 said earlier.

 

[tomashede]

I don't really know how to remove HDD cage in my case. I guess I'll just cut a hole - shouldn't be too hard. I'll post again when I fix (or not) my problem.

Thanks for all replies.

 

[iSpeedHD]

Did you ever fix? I have a very similar problem... I want a GTX 980 but my HDD bay will get in the way.