New gpu ( single fan or 2 fan)

[Jeroen B]

Hello,

I want to buy a new gpu for my pc. Atm i have stock build pc from medion with a gtx 550-ti.
Since i have a 450 W psu i want to upgrade to a gtx 660. I have one problem atm and that is my case. My current gpu has a single fan and is because of that a pretty short card. My psu is build above my gpu so most of the heat leaves though the psu.

So my question is shall i purchase a card wich is 5 cm longer and has 2 fans. Cuz the second fan may have some trouble with the cables that hang over it.

Some photo's of my case

http://i.imgur.com/GprgCF0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/H5LxUZj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6PoszxY.jpg

The two models i am choosing between are:

http://www.alternate.nl/MSI/MSI+N660-2GD5-OC/html/product/1038207/?tk=7&lk=9377

and

http://www.alternate.nl/MSI/MSI+N660_Gaming_2GD5-OC/html/product/1101171/?tk=7&lk=9377

 

[Finair14]

Hello
A dual fan will be much better for cooling your gpu unless your case is tiny there is no reason to go with a single fan.To address the cables perhaps limit them and tie them to provide better airflow.

 

[Jeroen B]

Hello
A dual fan will be much better for cooling your gpu unless your case is tiny there is no reason to go with a single fan.To address the cables perhaps limit them and tie them to provide better airflow.

I've just uploaded a picture ( im new to this forum and with image links 😛 )

 

[huilun02]

You don't necessarily have to sacrifice the 2nd fan to have a short card.

This one is just 7.35 inches long (19.13cm)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500291

 

[Finair14]

Hello
A dual fan will be much better for cooling your gpu unless your case is tiny there is no reason to go with a single fan.To address the cables perhaps limit them and tie them to provide better airflow.

I've just uploaded a picture ( im new to this forum and with image links 😛 )

your case is very tight.If you have some spare case you could buy a modular psu(i would not recommend that),You could also buy a small 2 fan gpu.But from your picture even if you have a fan right up close to the cables as long as it doesnt contact the fan it should be ok to have a fan close to the cables.

 

[Jeroen B]

You don't necessarily have to sacrifice the 2nd fan to have a short card.

This one is just 7.35 inches long (19.13cm)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500291

I live in the netherlands so i dont think i can order at newegg. altough this card might have some potential

 

[huilun02]

Maybe links us a website or two which you intend to buy from. I'll have a look see if they got any (relatively) short cards.

 

[Jeroen B]

Maybe links us a website or two which you intend to buy from. I'll have a look see if they got any (relatively) short cards.

I have updated my first post with the 2 cards that i inted to buy

 

[huilun02]

The shorter card is 8.66 inches long (22cm), while the longer one is 10.24 inches (26cm)

 

[Jeroen B]

The shorter card is 8.66 inches long (22cm), while the longer one is 10.24 inches (26cm)

yes and this is my current card:

http://www.msi.com/product/vga/N550GTX-Ti-M2D1GD5-OC.html#/?div=Specification

I think that the 26 cm card will fit in (although it will be tight) but i dont know if it causes problems for the second fan.

 

[huilun02]

Your existing card is 21cm, the 26cm card should not have a problem. There is space for a longer card in your case, the cables look long enough to be pushed to the front.

 

[Jeroen B]

Your existing card is 21cm, the 26cm card should not have a problem. There is space for a longer card in your case, the cables look long enough to be pushed to the front.

Yes i do think the 26cm card will fit. But i dont know how the airflow in my case will be. Newb question here but does the two fans suck air in and blow it out trough the heatsink. So through the raster at the back of the card? Since atm all the heat leaves through the psu since my current gpu uses only 1 slot. If so i think it will be able to pull of with the 2 fans. the first under the psu like my current gpu fan and the second a bit covered by cables

 

[huilun02]

Yes the fans suck air from above the card and pushes them through the heatsink. The sides of the card are not sealed so the heated air will go all around inside the case.

You could mount a 120mm case fan at the bottom rear of the case (near the CPU) to blow warm air out.

 

[Jeroen B]

Yes the fans suck air from above the card and pushes them through the heatsink. The sides of the card are not sealed so the heated air will go all around inside the case.

You could mount a 120mm case fan at the bottom rear of the case (near the CPU) to blow warm air out.

I have noticed that as well today after 1.5 years of use 😛 . I can put a 80mm fan there but doesnt the bottom fan always has to blow cold air inside?

 

[huilun02]

The mounting spot near the CPU is usually best used as an exhaust, because that's where the CPU cooler turns cool air warm. From your pictures it seems the CPU cooler has this funnel to suck in cool air from a hole in the side panel, that's an intake. There are also holes near your hard disk where cool air can enter the case.

You'll want at least one dedicated fan to blow warm air out of the case, not just rely on the PSU.

 

[Jeroen B]

I have made an cardboard version of the card with the same measurements but its really really tight and alot of the cables are over the second fan.

http://i.imgur.com/TPvYXNB.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BBrrGEw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HcqG299.jpg

Will this make any problems. If not i think il get it since all 2 fan gpu's are this size.

 

[Jeroen B]

So my last question before i decide. Will those cables prevent sucking air in or is it negligible to none?

 

[huilun02]

The cables won't be much of an obstruction to air flow.

 

[Jeroen B]

The cables won't be much of an obstruction to air flow.

Thx for all the help!

I just saw that on their website that they placed the twin froz 3 version as well

http://www.alternate.nl/MSI/MSI+N660_TF_2GD5-OC/html/product/1030918/?tk=7&lk=9377

Also with a free ac4 and splintercell. And that one is 2.5 centimeters smaller so i think il go for that one. The fans may be a bit smaller but still the notice will be minimal.

 

[Jeroen B]

Well folks i have my new GPU for a couple of months now and it runs like a charm. I took my chances and picked the msi gaming n660/oc TF4. Aand it fits easely. The card is awsome and runs super quiet and low temped with around 65 max on ac4.( awsome game btw)

Also i fixed my psu problem since mine broke down recently . Bought a cx600m from corsair and modulair so my case looks a bit better.

Still keeping a new case and mobo in my head tough.