I just found out after asking the question if my GPU had enough room between the bottom where the fans are and the top of my PSU (separated by a panel with holes in it in my NZXT H500 case - about 1.5 inches from bottom of GPU to this panel) that my GPU was not in the x16 PCI-E slot on my motherboard, which is the first slot.
My cooler, be quiet! Shadow Rock TF2 is gigantic and when building with my friend we didn't think the GPU would fit in the first PCI-E slot which I have now discovered is the x16 slot. In eyeballing this morning I think I can fit it in the first slot but it would literally be less than an inch (probably half an inch) from the bottom of the cooler (the silver blades that protrude out) to the top of the exposed GPU. This would mean if I ever need to take my GPU out I'd need to be REALLY careful to only lift straight up as to not scratch it on the cooler (all the exposed components on the top of the GPU).
I guess my question is, what performance am I missing out on just leaving the GPU in the second slot on this motherboard? My friend and I also did not get a GPU detected on initial startup but we only had the 6 pin plugged in (or 8 pin? I can't recall). When we plugged the 4 pin alongside the 6 pin (or 8 pin), it worked immediately and I haven't had problems since. He was afraid of shorting or blowing something having both in, but that was the only way to get it to work. Does x16 slot still require both plugins from the PSU? Excuse my ignorance.
All specs in signature... PSU is Corsair CX650M 80+ Bronze Certified 650W.
Here's a pic: https://imgur.com/eOuJNtS (it is pretty close to the bottom panel on this case that houses the PSU and hard drives - is this okay?)
My cooler, be quiet! Shadow Rock TF2 is gigantic and when building with my friend we didn't think the GPU would fit in the first PCI-E slot which I have now discovered is the x16 slot. In eyeballing this morning I think I can fit it in the first slot but it would literally be less than an inch (probably half an inch) from the bottom of the cooler (the silver blades that protrude out) to the top of the exposed GPU. This would mean if I ever need to take my GPU out I'd need to be REALLY careful to only lift straight up as to not scratch it on the cooler (all the exposed components on the top of the GPU).
I guess my question is, what performance am I missing out on just leaving the GPU in the second slot on this motherboard? My friend and I also did not get a GPU detected on initial startup but we only had the 6 pin plugged in (or 8 pin? I can't recall). When we plugged the 4 pin alongside the 6 pin (or 8 pin), it worked immediately and I haven't had problems since. He was afraid of shorting or blowing something having both in, but that was the only way to get it to work. Does x16 slot still require both plugins from the PSU? Excuse my ignorance.
All specs in signature... PSU is Corsair CX650M 80+ Bronze Certified 650W.
Here's a pic: https://imgur.com/eOuJNtS (it is pretty close to the bottom panel on this case that houses the PSU and hard drives - is this okay?)