Is It Okay to Install Everything Outside of Case

[Alyus]

I know many people install RAM, CPU, and heatsink outside the case but is it okay to install GPU outside of the case as well?

My Asus Hero VIII Alpha has a plastic trimming that is an obstacle for the GPU to completely flush* in the motherboard. It is more inserted on the right side of the GPU than the left.

*I can see that the GPU is making direct contact with the plastic trimming on the left side of the MOBO. I will either have to remove the plastic trimming or try installing GPU outside of the case.

 

[Gam3r01]

You can install it to see if it will fit properly, however I wouldnt install the motherboard with it in.
Half of the graphics cards out there will block some of the standoff holes, not to mention how much trouble it would be to have a large (and expensive) GPU held in just by a PCIe lane during instillation.

 

[weberdarren97]

It is okay to install everything outside of the case, yes. However, the case does more than just enclose everything, it also provides a ground for the motherboard and drives. If you intend to take the system out of the case, you will need to run a wire from the power supply to at least one of the mounting holes on the motherboard, and screw a wire into a mounting hole on each drive, with each wire connecting to the casing of the power supply. Doing so will eliminate the chances of static buildup in your components.

However, just because they're out of the case does not mean that your components are exempt from the dangers of ESD. Always take precaution to make sure you are grounded before touching sensitive components like motherboards, CPUs and GPUs. Exposed SSD's like M.2 models are also susceptible to damage via ESD.

Also, as Gam3r01 just brought to my attention, I see that it could possibly be a problem to have the full weight of a GPU on only the slot on the motherboard and no support structure. I would consider getting a riser card that has a cable on it so that you can lie the GPU down beside the board, to keep the weight off of the PCIe slot.

 

[Alyus]

Okay. I'm trying to solve the issue as to why I can't completely flush the GPU into the PCIe slot. Someone suggest to build it outside the case. I believe it's the plastic trimming on the Asus Hero Alpha VIII. Could you help me to find out what the obstacle could be? The GPU will not align correctly to the back of the case slot, nor completely flush down*.

Again, I think it is because of the plastic trimming the motherboard has. I guess its purpose is merely aesthetic and provide some kind of protection.

 

[Gam3r01]

The trimming is 100% for looks, it serves no purpose. If you want to remove it (or have to) it wont cause issues.
I do think its odd that it would be blocking parts of the install.

 

[weberdarren97]

I looked at your motherboard's page on the Asus site, I see what you mean.

I would not try to remove that plastic, it may be part of an EMI shield.

 

[Gam3r01]

I looked at your motherboard's page on the Asus site, I see what you mean.

I would not try to remove that plastic, it may be part of an EMI shield.

Its not. There is no such thing on motherboards. If it served some purpose wouldnt all board have it?

 

[weberdarren97]

Every board design is slightly different. I just thought that since there is a capacitor bank just under it in the primary image on the overview page, that it might be shielding the capacitors

 

[Gam3r01]

Lots of companies are doing that lately, they are adding things that really have no use in attempt to make it seem like its special.
The very first iterations of this type were ASUS's "Thermal Armor" on the Sabertooth series, which did the exact opposite of what it sounds like, they actually heated up the board. Its just a gimmick to make their high end products look higher end.

 

[weberdarren97]

Point taken, I assume you got the title Grandmaster because you know what you're talking about, so I'll let you handle this.

 

[Alyus]

Lots of companies are doing that lately, they are adding things that really have no use in attempt to make it seem like its special.
The very first iterations of this type were ASUS's "Thermal Armor" on the Sabertooth series, which did the exact opposite of what it sounds like, they actually heated up the board. Its just a gimmick to make their high end products look higher end.

I think I agree with you. I don't know what EMI is, but I guess it's suppose to protect for better sound quality? It protect the sound quality that can occur through interference from other electronic components nearby?

 

[Gam3r01]

In theory, that would work. But in this time and day, there really is no interference to worry about (not to mention the plastics on the GPU would shield itself anyway)

 

[Alyus]

This is only my second build, while the first was 4 years ago. It seems that you think that it is not the MOBO plastic trimming is not the obstacle for GPU installation. What steps do you suggest to correct this problem? I am using the computer now without the GPU.

 

[Gam3r01]

Can you post some pics of the issue? It sounds like a defect somewhere if the card cant be inserted all the way. An option is to contact ASUS and ask them what the deal is.

 

[Alyus]

I'm going to open my computer and see what I can do. I've contacted Asus numerous times saying the GPU won't fully install. The parts are all compatible. I'll put on some pictures.

 

[Alyus]

Okay. Building this second computer was like hell. I removed the motherboard to remove the plastic shield off and reinstalled MOBO. The GPU would not flush on left side. I called Asus and they asked me to uninstall MOBO and install GPU on top of a box. The GPU was installed successfully. Then I had to remove GPU which was hard (for a beginner) and reinstall the plastic shield for MOBO. The GPU would not fit. Asus gave up on me and what I did was just force the motherboard with the most bare minimum force to align the GPU to the case slot and now I am using the computer with the GPU. Building this time wasn't fun; there's always a fear that something may go wrong.

Asus did say, at least the employee I spoke to that the plastic shield on the MOBO is just aesthetics.

 

[Alyus]

I had to force the motherboard gently a bit to the left so the GPU would align to the chassis.