GTX 560 Ti not fitting into Antec 300 case

[msyriac]

Hi,

I'm trying to build my first gaming PC. Everything's gone good so far except when I tried installing the discrete GPU.

GPU: EVGA GTX 560 Ti Superclocked
Case: Antec 300
Mobo: Gigabyte Z68A-UD3H-B3

Here's what happens: The GPU aligns fairly well with the PCIe-x16 slot and the end opposite the back panel even goes into the slot. But the back-panel-end refuses to fall into place because the metal tab at the bottom of the panel is not fitting into the metal gap at the bottom of where the PCI slot cover used to be. I removed adjacent slot covers too to make sure nothing was interfering. But it's almost like the metal tab at the bottom of the panel of the 560 Ti is too thick to fit into the gap in the chassis.

How do you fix something like this? How do I figure out whether this is a problem with the GPU or the case? (or my incompetence?)

Thanks.

 

[msyriac]

Just a simple input.. you are making sure to fit the gpu into 2 of the slots on the case right? i believe your gpu has 2 prongs? it will take up 2 slots on the back side of the case

Yes, I freed up both adjacent slot covers just in case, but yeah, it takes up 2 slots. (And still doesn't go in)

 

[geofelt]

It is not clear to me if the problem is with the graphics card or the case.

If you are uncomfortable with adjusting one or the other, then seek to replace the incorrect part.

In the Case of Antec, they are very good at customer support, and will replace any part that is faulty.

Don't know about the graphics card. Can you borrow another card, of any type and see if it fits properly?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Sharp blade or flat tip screwdriver, into the offending slots on the case, wiggle to make hole larger/longer until card tabs will fit into holes, 😛
failing that I'm getting on a plane and fetching my angle grinder over there
Moto

 

[ltrazaklt]

1, are you sure the case is 100% straight, I have not worked with these cases , but have built systems for 20yrs now, and have encountered this kind of problem before.
2, occasionally a cases framing gets a lil warped or skewed , thus making the MB not align 100% with back slots, maybe during shipping it got knocked or crushed and put the alignment off just enough to make the Vid card catch..you can check with a standard bubble leveler ..should be even and smooth
3, was this pre-cut on the expansion slots ? some cases you have to remove metal (usually by wiggling till breaks off, like bending a paperclip over and over) this will sometime leave an errant piece of metal on the frame that can catch on the tab ;
4, as others have said the MB holders, (the lil golden screw ins ) BUT they also have to be put in the in the right place on the MB backplane, Often Cases will have Multiple sets of these for MBs with different form factors , so may you may empty holes left over on the MB backplane and this is fine.
5, Sometimes a card maker , use a bracket that the tabs are not quite long enough to actually extend through the lil slot on the case , and this is ok too
6, as others have said , its fine to take like a flathead screwdriver, fit into slit on the case and and wiggle it a bit, to widen the slot, OR bend a bracket tab a little bit on the Vid Card, just be careful bending the Vid Card , though the tab bracket will usually bend fairly easily.

although with those moderm parts , I (like other) find it very strange that they dont line up nicely ..is there is enough room (as this is a double decker vid card right ?) is there enough room , between the tabs on the vid card bracket ? that Both tabs are going thru both slits , without the bracket V part hitting the the little piece of metal between the 2 tab slits ? ok sorry that was poorly worded , but I am starting to think maybe the tab is hitting the the little part of metal between the tab slots on the case ..

hope this helps

 

[lp231]

Why not have your friend come over and help you out?

 

[Motopsychojdn]

If you mean me, I dont know the Op, I'm just threatening to cross the atlantic, break into his house and perform unseemly acts on his pc 😛
Moto

 

[geofelt]

If the end cover bracket on the graphics card is not right, you have a couple of options.

1) EVGA sells for $10 a high flow bracket that improves airflow on gtx5XX cards.

2) The bracket can be removed; just remove the screws holding it on. Then, you can safely file, bend, or do whatever to the bracket without worrying about damaging the card in the process. Screw it back on when you know it fits.

 

[msyriac]

I FIXED IT! YAY!

I followed motopsychojdn's suggestion and filed the metal tab out. I had to do this for 3 slots - 2 for the GPU and 1 for the Wireless PCI card that just arrived. It took me an hour to grind through and remove the tabs, but it was totally worth it.

My 560 Ti is now humming away inside 😀

I can confirm that the problem has always been with the Antec case. I removed the motherboard and tried fitting in both the GPU and the Wireless PCI - neither would fit in. I hope I never have to add another PCI card to this build.

I'm surprised by the poor quality of the Antec 300 case. There's one last problem with my build - I only get one channel of audio from the front panel. This may have something to do with the connector on the motherboard, but I also feel that the way the jack on the front panel is built makes it seem like the audio connector never fully goes in - which if is the case might explain the missing channel and would suggest that Antec has seriously messed up the product they sent me. Not cool.

 

[msyriac]

Best answer selected by msyriac.

 

[msyriac]

Damn, I meant to select motopsychojdn's second post as the Best Answer - not the one in which he threatened to break into my house. :/

 

[Motopsychojdn]

Hey no probs man, I kinda like that its that one lol,
Glad to help, and enjoy your new build 🙂
Moto