Graphics card is too big for my case

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

I have a compact pc (Gateway sx2855) and i tried to install the radeon 7770. In retrospect, it was a bad idea, the card way WAY to big for the case. I'm not sure what to do now because i'd like to be able to use the card.Are there any solutions besides buying a new case. I don't want to deal with moving all the components from this case to a new one. Is it possible to use a flexible riser card? If I must buy a new case could you recommend one? I haven't modified the pc besides installing a previous geforce gt 520

swifty_morgan · Feb 28, 2013

way too big in what way. too long or too high. I found a picture of the outside but not of the inside.

you could try a riser ribbon but.............. did the card come with a bracket for low profile cases? would a card with a low profile bracket work? or is the card too long for that too?

if a card with a low profile bracket will work, can you return the one you have and get one that has a bracket or maybe you could find one on line for that particular card?

or perhaps you can remove the bracket altogether?

you would need to support the card somehow though. ( maybe with plastic wire ties?

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

swifty_morgan :

Too big as in the fans are too thick to fit inside of the case, it runs into the top of my case. Are riser ribbons a good idea? it seems like there would be latency issues. And no, a low profile bracket wouldn't work, seeing as that doesn't seem to be the problem.

ryan5609 · Feb 28, 2013

There really is no easy or nice way to say you need to build a new computer, but that is what I would do in your situation. You could probably save some parts from your existing PC (CPU, RAM, etc) but it would be a massive overhaul. The 7770 is a good midrange card and deserves a better home than a Gateway Slim PC. If you enjoy PC gaming enough, it may be time to bite the bullet.

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

ryan5609 :

Buying/building a new pc isn't really an option. I seem to be on a tight budget, unless you could refer me to a place that sells cheaper than new egg

swifty_morgan · Feb 28, 2013

what card do you have ( link ) and can you post a pic of the inside of the case?

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

swifty_morgan :

Current card:http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=geforce%20gt%20520&Submit=ENE
(i had to take the cover off and snip the side of the case to make this fit)

Trying to install: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687

http://imgur.com/hUEnMMX

The circled area is the graphics card. As you can see i have no vertical room to put a card in.

kingnoobe · Feb 28, 2013

The cheap and dirty method would be to simply cut a block from the top.

swifty_morgan · Feb 28, 2013

put the card in the shopping cart. open shopping cart, right click on card, hit copy url or link or whatever it says.

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

kingnoobe :

That seems like it could damage something

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

swifty_morgan :

I already linked the card

wolfram23 · Feb 28, 2013

Rman920 :

Yeah, the case. :na:

But yeah, you don't need to "build a new PC". Cutting a hole in the top would be the red-neck way of doing it. Using a ribbon cable is a good idea and no it won't really introduce latency, certainly not measurable.

Or just buy a new case and move everything over. Cheap new cases are around $30.

smeezekitty · Feb 28, 2013

I think you need to buy a new case and probably PSU.

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

wolfram23 :

Could a ribbon cable interfere with power supply? could you link me to a place to buy these? i'm kind of lost and google doesnt help much

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

smeezekitty :

Is the new case necessary? i'm fine with a funky looking computer, as long as it doesnt do anything to performance

wolfram23 · Feb 28, 2013

Well, something like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/PCI-E-Express-extender-ribbon-cable/dp/B0059QJFZ6

How would you install it? That's up to you. It'll definitely not be simple.

Isaiah4110 · Feb 28, 2013

In a nutshell, it looks like your problem is that you have a slim case, and all slim cases require low profile add-on cards. Your options are:

A) Cut a hole in the side of the case so the graphics card has room to stick out. You would need to figure out a way to secure it because you wouldn't be able to screw the bracket into the case and wouldn't want it to short out or the fan to get damaged by it coming into contact with anything.

B) Buy a new, full sized (Mid Tower or something along those lines) case as others have mentioned and move all your hardware over. You have a specialized power supply, so you might need a new one of those as well, but all told you should be able to do it for around $50.

C) Exchange the card you bought for a low Profile card like the PowerColor AX7750 1GBD5-HL. That card will probably be among the best performers that will fit your case. Unfortunately a quick search of Newegg's product list didn't come up with any low profile 7770's. The additional nice thing about that specific model is that is comes with a second low profile bracket for the VGA port. So you would be able to have all three connections available if you are OK covering two slots. My Newegg customer service experiences have always been superb, so even if they say there is a 15% restocking fee you might be able to call them up and (if your are polite) get them to exchange the cards for you by explaining your situation/mistake. Even if you have to pay a restocking fee this will still be cheaper than going the new case route.

Rman920 · Feb 28, 2013

Isaiah4110 :

In a nutshell, it looks like your problem is that you have a slim case, and all slim cases require low profile add-on cards. Your options are:

A) Cut a hole in the side of the case so the graphics card has room to stick out. You would need to figure out a way to secure it because you wouldn't be able to screw the bracket into the case and wouldn't want it to short out or the fan to get damaged by it coming into contact with anything.

B) Buy a new, full sized (Mid Tower or something along those lines) case as others have mentioned and move all your hardware over. You have a specialized power supply, so you might need a new one of those as well, but all told you should be able to do it for around $50.

C) Exchange the card you bought for a low Profile card like the PowerColor AX7750 1GBD5-HL. That card will probably be among the best performers that will fit your case. Unfortunately a quick search of Newegg's product list didn't come up with any low profile 7770's. The additional nice thing about that specific model is that is comes with a second low profile bracket for the VGA port. So you would be able to have all three connections available if you are OK covering two slots. My Newegg customer service experiences have always been superb, so even if they say there is a 15% restocking fee you might be able to call them up and (if your are polite) get them to exchange the cards for you by explaining your situation/mistake. Even if you have to pay a restocking fee this will still be cheaper than going the new case route.

If i were to get a new case, are there any specific specs that i need to look for?

jkhoward · Feb 28, 2013

Rman920 :

I just built a low profile system more recently and the best card that was low profile is the Zotac 650.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500290

Return that card and purchase the 650 or buy another case. The 650 is pretty equal with the 7770 and runs some games that are optimized for Nvidia better. World of Warcraft, Battlefield..

But yeah..

1. Return the card and purchase a low profile card

2. Buy a new case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108236

Hope this helps!
:bounce:

smeezekitty · Feb 28, 2013

If you spend >$100 for a video card I think you could probably buy a case+PSU.

Isaiah4110 · Feb 28, 2013

Rman920 :

Just as long as it is not a low profile (slim) case you should be ok. If you look at the dimensions if the case it should be at least 6.5" or so wide (standing up) or tall (if made to lie flat). You should be able to take your pick of any case from this list without any problems.

If the one you choose doesn't come with a PSU then you will need to buy one of those as well. A decent PSU (nothing flashy, but solid and dependable) is probably going to run you around $30-40 minimum.

Isaiah4110 · Feb 28, 2013

jkhoward :

The nVidia 650 chip does rank one step higher on the Tom's Hardware Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart. I am not personally familiar with Zotac cards and their quality and don't see them recommended as frequently as other brands (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, XFX, EVGA, Sapphire, etc. are the ones I see more frequently. If you go the low-profile route then the Zotac 650 would likely get you a little better performance than the 7750 I linked earlier.

Wisecracker · Feb 28, 2013

jkhoward :

What's that, again ?

Best inexpensive solution: leave the cover off the case. Otherwise, +1 for the hole-cut.

smeezekitty · Feb 28, 2013

I really have no idea on the accuracy of this benchmark but this: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=681 shows the 7770 with a moderate lead over the 650

swifty_morgan · Feb 28, 2013

Rman920 :

no, you didn't link the card. I had to copy and paste and it took me to a page with a ton of cards.

Graphics card is too big for my case

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