Graphics Card Suggestions for DH61WW (THAT doesn't cover SATA ports)

[Ishani90]

Hello,

Today I posted on Tom's for the first time on selecting a graphics card for my system for my preferable budget - i3 3210 + GTX 660?. I've got very helpful responses and decided to go with GTX 660.

BUT now there's a problem: The graphics card may cover up 2 SATA ports (in use) beneath the PCI-E slot.

My motherboard is DH61WW and all my SATA ports in use. I've got couple of suggestions in the aforementioned thread too. I'm yet to try them.

In case those suggestions NOT gonna work, now I'm looking for the graphics cards that will fit into my motherboard without interfering the SATA ports.

Do you guys know any graphics card closer to GTX 660 and still short enough not to cover SATA ports on my motherboard?

If you're a DH61WW or similar motherboard owner and have a dedicated graphics card installed, I'm still like to hear about your graphics card choice, as I might able to purchase one if it suites my gaming needs as well.

I really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions on this.

Sorry for the long read.

Thanks in advance.

-------------------------

Specs:

i3 3210 3.20 GHz
DH61WW
8 GB DDR3
Antec 450W Continuous Power

PSU:

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... You can get 90 deg angle SATA connectors... I found some at my local Computer recycling store... or you can order on line... be carefull there are right and Left hand versions, in case there is another cable routing/length problem you might have. This will alow clearance for your Video card.

Looks like you will need a Right and a Left hand to use those two Sata Ports with your Graphic Card. B )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=-1&IsNodeId=1&Description=left%20angle%20Sata%20cable&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=-1&IsNodeId=1&Description=right%20angle%20Sata%20cable&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30

 

[Ishani90]

Hello... You can get 90 deg angle SATA connectors... I found some at my local Computer recycling store... or you can order on line... be carefull there are right and Left hand versions, in case there is another cable routing/length problem you might have. this will alow clearance for your Video card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=-1&IsNodeId=1&Description=left%20angle%20Sata%20cable&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=-1&IsNodeId=1&Description=right%20angle%20Sata%20cable&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=30

Thanks for the quick response. I'm gonna try that for sure.

Have you had the same issue as I am? If you had, I'm interested in knowing if your suggested solution fixed the issue of not being able to use SATA ports while having a graphics card installed.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Some Models of MB's put those Sata Ports there... Some didn't... you will know in the future with your MB selections... Looks like you will need a Right and a Left hand to use those two Sata Ports with your Graphic Card. B )

I have seen people trying to use non-Angled Sata connectors with their Video cards... please don't do this... Look locally or Order online for your situation.
Yes... these were designed for your problem... they will work fine for you.

 

[MayuraDeSilva]

What Ironsounds suggested. AND for graphics card suggestions,

MSI R7 260X:

Sapphire R7 260X:

MSI R7 265:

EVGA GTX 750Ti:

MSI GTX 750Ti:

MSI GTX 760 Gaming ITX:

ASUS GTX 670 Mini / 760 Mini:

Sapphire R9 285 ITX Compact Edition

 

[yeskay]

What Ironsounds suggested and for graphics cards,

Sapphire R7 260X:

EVGA GTX 750Ti:

Consider this if available locally, which is far better than 750 Ti or R7 260x:

Gigabyte GTX 960 Mini ITX Overclocked 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Cards GV-N960IXOC-2GD $179.99 [After $10 mail rebates, Newegg]

Card Dimensions - H=42mm, L=181mm, W=136mm (Length 181mm = 7.12")
The above said dimensions are listed in the official website here
Where as, the marketing material in Newegg, claims the card length is 17cm = 6.6". See the image below.

Either way, the card will fit nicely on your motherboard without blocking the SATA ports.

Important Notes:

See this card outperform the R9 280 and perform on par with R9 285 in this video:
GTX 960 vs R9 285/ R9 280/ GTX 760 1080p Benchmarks

- Get any GTX 960 in Mini-iTX form factor that's available locally.
- The GTX 960 comes with a redeemable code to download one of the most anticipated games of 2015, "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt", absolutely free.
- Use that redeemable code to download the game here at the NVIDIA's Official Redemption Website:
GEFORCE REDEMPTION

After getting the card make sure, you do the following, for smoother and great GTA V experience:

- Update your card with GeForce Game Ready Driver for Grand Theft Auto V Version 350.12
- Read the NVIDIA's Official Grand Theft Auto V PC Graphics & Performance Guide.

Cheers!

 

[Ishani90]

Thanks MayuraDeSilva and yeskay for the suggestions. Please keep more coming if you know any more products like that.

GTX 960 seems a perfect fit for me, but it exceeds my budget here (locally) though. Will keep it in mind, if none works for me.

First off, I followed Ironsounds' suggestion and it seems I could use a graphics card which doesn't have a full-covered cooler - like ASUS GTX 660 (which I was considering in the first place). Isn't it?

If you can refer to this post on my previous thread, I hope you get what I mean - http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2644262/3210-gtx-660.html#15863017

Thoughts and suggestions much appreciated.

 

[yeskay]

Thanks MayuraDeSilva and yeskay for the suggestions. Please keep more coming if you know any more products like that.

GTX 960 seems a perfect fit for me, but it exceeds my budget here (locally) though. Will keep it in mind, if none works for me.

First off, I followed Ironsounds' suggestion and it seems I could use a graphics card which doesn't have a full-covered cooler - like ASUS GTX 660 (which I was considering in the first place). Isn't it?

If you can refer to this post on my previous thread, I hope you get what I mean - http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2644262/3210-gtx-660.html#15863017

Thoughts and suggestions much appreciated.

The card either me or mayur suggested are small form factor cards, length wise shorter and will not obstruct the sata cables. If you're looking for a card with cooler but without outer cover, I don't think any current generation or even the GTX 660 with cooler comes without the cover. If price and a card without outer cover is your priority, then you can only get low profile fanless low cooling efficiency cards of previous generation. But they won't be powerful enough to handle current gen or upcoming games.

So in the end only these options for you:

- Get the shorter length, but good performers, better cooling with fans and outer cover card suggested by me or mayur.
- Else get a performing low profile, fanless model with low cooling efficacy and performance cards from previous gen.

 

[Ishani90]

The card either me or mayur suggested are small form factor cards, length wise shorter and will not obstruct the sata cables. If you're looking for a card with cooler but without outer cover, I don't think any current generation or even the GTX 660 with cooler comes without the cover. If price and a card without outer cover is your priority, then you can only get low profile fanless low cooling efficiency cards of previous generation. But they won't be powerful enough to handle current gen or upcoming games.

So in the end only these options for you:

- Get the shorter length, but good performers, better cooling with fans and outer cover card suggested by me or mayur.
- Else get a performing low profile, fanless model with low cooling efficacy and performance cards from previous gen.

Thanks yeskay. You have been helpful. Actually, it's not my intention to purchase a card without cooler though.

What I intended as *full-covered* cooler is that if you look at EVGA GTX 960, the card is fully covered by its cooler.

But ASUS GTX 660, has a little room beneath cooler (not fully covered by its cooler - see the highlighted area)

As the GTX 660 has some extra space which isn't covered by cooler, I'm wondering if I could fit that card to my motherboard after installing 90 Degree Angle SATA cables. So I can enjoy both GTX 660 and SATA ports too?

Is it possible?

 

[yeskay]

The card either me or mayur suggested are small form factor cards, length wise shorter and will not obstruct the sata cables. If you're looking for a card with cooler but without outer cover, I don't think any current generation or even the GTX 660 with cooler comes without the cover. If price and a card without outer cover is your priority, then you can only get low profile fanless low cooling efficiency cards of previous generation. But they won't be powerful enough to handle current gen or upcoming games.

So in the end only these options for you:

- Get the shorter length, but good performers, better cooling with fans and outer cover card suggested by me or mayur.
- Else get a performing low profile, fanless model with low cooling efficacy and performance cards from previous gen.

Thanks yeskay. You have been helpful. Actually, it's not my intention to purchase a card without cooler though.

What I intended as *full-covered* cooler is that if you look at EVGA GTX 960, the card is fully covered by its cooler.

But ASUS GTX 660, has a little room beneath cooler (not fully covered by its cooler - see the highlighted area)

As the GTX 660 has some extra space which isn't covered by cooler, I'm wondering if I could fit that card to my motherboard after installing 90 Degree Angle SATA cables. So I can enjoy both GTX 660 and SATA ports too?

Is it possible?

I saw your other thread, with the same images. You may be able to use a right angled sata and still use the ASUS GTX 660. But it's still a gamble and not 100% confirmation. Also the space appears too tight, there is every possibility of card touching the sata cable. That could be a problem when the card is in full throttle in hardware intensive games and blows hot air straight on to the cable. That ASUS is 10.2" long. So here are the other options:

ZOTAC ZT-60904-10M GeForce GTX 660 2GB, Length - 7.6"

MSI N660-2GD5 2GB, Length - 8.6"

See if you could get any of these in your locality. Otherwise, you're only left with Asus GTX 660 or save your money, get the GTX 960 mini.

 

[Ishani90]

I saw your other thread, with the same images. You may be able to use a right angled sata and still use the ASUS GTX 660. But it's still a gamble and not 100% confirmation. Also the space appears too tight, there is every possibility of card touching the sata cable. That could be a problem when the card is in full throttle in hardware intensive games and blows hot air straight on to the cable. That ASUS is 10.2" long. So here are the other options:

ZOTAC ZT-60904-10M GeForce GTX 660 2GB, Length - 7.6"

MSI N660-2GD5 2GB, Length - 8.6"

See if you could get any of these in your locality. Otherwise, you're only left with Asus GTX 660 or save your money, get the GTX 960 mini.

Thanks again for your advice and suggestions. Much appreciated!

I'm thinking of considering what you have said here - unless I receive a positive response / confirmation soon enough from someone who has been through a similar scenario. (Thread)

Sadly, those two cards are not available here though - but I'll try online. This is what available for me (locally) - Graphics Cards