Network Card in the way of my Graphics Card. Help?

[shadowwarrior17]

Hi all,

I have a Asus NVidia GeForce GT 730, but it won't fit onto my motherboard due to my network card. I have come up with possible solutions - and their drawbacks - but I'm not sure which one is the best:

1. Use a PCI x1 riser. I can use this to relocate my network card, so the graphics card can fit. Drawback: Where do I place the network card, where it can be supported from the bottom, not just by the screw?

2. Use a PCI x16 riser. I can use this to relocate my graphics card. Drawback: Screw isn't enough to support weight of graphics card.

3. Remove the network card, and use a USB Wi-Fi dongle. Drawback: Wi-Fi reliability and strength.

3.5. Remove the network card, and use an Ethernet cable. Drawback: Is impossible in the current setup I have.

4. Upgrade my motherboard from mATX to ATX. Drawback: Is impossible due to budget.

If any money needs to be spent, my budget is £10.
I will not mod my case.

Thanks!

 

[COLGeek]

What is the make/model of your motherboard? Do you have any open PCIe slots that you can move the network adapter to? Keep in mind that PCIe X16 slots are backward compatible with smaller PCIe devices (like x1, x4, etc). For example, you can install a typical PCIe x1 device into a X16 slot.

 

[ragnar-gd]

Please give the name of your MoBo, so i can check the layout.

 

[shadowwarrior17]

ASUS A68HM+

 

[shadowwarrior17]

If the network card can fit into the bottom "PCI1" slot, then the issue would be sorted. Would it?

 

[norcalsc]

yank that thing out and get a usb connector. does your MB not have a ethernet port

 

[COLGeek]

If the network card can fit into the bottom "PCI1" slot, then the issue would be sorted. Would it?

No, that appears to be a PCI (not PCIe or PCI Express) slot. PCIe devices will not fit into it.

Try the x1 riser cable plan. I assume your case has an available slot to physically mount the card.

 

[shadowwarrior17]

yank that thing out and get a usb connector. does your MB not have a ethernet port

They're not as fast/reliable though right?
It does have a cable, but it's basically impossible connect one from the router to my PC.

 

[COLGeek]

What is the make/model of your PCIe network adapter?

BTW, motherboard Ethernet adapters are generally quite good performers, reliable, too.

 

[shadowwarrior17]

If the network card can fit into the bottom "PCI1" slot, then the issue would be sorted. Would it?

No, that appears to be a PCI (not PCIe or PCI Express) slot. PCIe devices will not fit into it.

Try the x1 riser cable plan. I assume your case has an available slot to physically mount the card.

So relocate the network card?
Will the card snap if I just screw it in by itself?

 

[shadowwarrior17]

If the network card can fit into the bottom "PCI1" slot, then the issue would be sorted. Would it?

No, that appears to be a PCI (not PCIe or PCI Express) slot. PCIe devices will not fit into it.

Try the x1 riser cable plan. I assume your case has an available slot to physically mount the card.

What is the make/model of your PCIe network adapter?

BTW, motherboard Ethernet adapters are generally quite good performers, reliable, too.

ASUS PCE-N10 11n Wireless LAN PCI-E Card

If they are reliable, then it's the easiest solution.

 

[COLGeek]

If the network card can fit into the bottom "PCI1" slot, then the issue would be sorted. Would it?

No, that appears to be a PCI (not PCIe or PCI Express) slot. PCIe devices will not fit into it.

Try the x1 riser cable plan. I assume your case has an available slot to physically mount the card.

So relocate the network card?
Will the card snap if I just screw it in by itself?

Snap? Not likely, unless you are pressing the bottom of the card into something else.