Antec Solo & GTX280

sneakybit

Member
Aug 20, 2008
49
0
0
Finally after nearly two years I want to get a new graphics card.
Been looking at a EVGA GTX280 Superclocked. But I don't really
want to change my PC case. It's an Antec Solo.

Should a GTX280 fit the Antec Solo? :confused:
 

OCGuy

Lifer
Jul 12, 2000
27,227
36
91
It should fit in the mid-tower no problem....

I have that same card, youll love it......



*countdown until someone comes in and says "Hey man, just get a 4870 instead"....5...4..3..2...
 

sneakybit

Member
Aug 20, 2008
49
0
0
I have the mid-tower! :)
Glad to hear it should be okay, my old card is a BFG 8800GTS and there is space to spare with it installed.

I hope the GTX280 is a lot faster than my old G80 based 8800GTS.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Originally posted by: sneakybit
Been looking at a EVGA GTX280 Superclocked. But I don't really
want to change my PC case. It's an Antec Solo.

Should a GTX280 fit the Antec Solo? :confused:

I don't know if it will because the card will stick out past the widest motherboards by almost an inch, and the Solo has about a half inch before the hard drive bays.

If you really want to know for sure, I can find out for you. I have two Solo cases at work and, ahem, a couple of GTX 280 cards. Just sweet talk me by promising to buy BFG cards - even if you lie to me. ;)
 

450R

Senior member
Feb 22, 2005
319
0
0
I'd also be interested in knowing. Planning to upgrade to a 260 but I don't know if it'll fit.
 

Buck Armstrong

Platinum Member
Dec 17, 2004
2,015
1
0
I went through this with the 9800 GTX. EVGA's 8800 & 9800 cards come in two lengths: 9.5" and 10.5". My 8800 GT SSC was 9.5", and fit perfectly in my Antec Solo case. The 9800 GTX was listed as 9.5" on EVGAs website, so I bought one the week it came out. Imagine my horror when I discovered that the site was wrong, and not only was it too long for the case (unless I cut the HDD bays out), but the fat-ass cooler would block my SATA ports! So I exchanged it for an 8800 GTS 512, which was the same length as the GT, but with a dual-slot cooler instead of the GT's single-slot. It fit perfect, and I've been happy ever since.

According to EVGA's site, The GTX 280 is 10.5", so it probably WILL NOT fit...unless their website is again wrong.
 

Buck Armstrong

Platinum Member
Dec 17, 2004
2,015
1
0
I can't speak for you, but I love my Solo case. Its compact, but the internal cable guides and additional fan mounts (which I filled with more Antec Tricool fans) make it a joy to work with, and even with the extra fans, its the quitest case I've ever heard thanks to the drive mounting grommets and sound-deadening side panels.
 

sneakybit

Member
Aug 20, 2008
49
0
0
Originally posted by: Zap
Originally posted by: sneakybit
Been looking at a EVGA GTX280 Superclocked. But I don't really
want to change my PC case. It's an Antec Solo.

Should a GTX280 fit the Antec Solo? :confused:

I don't know if it will because the card will stick out past the widest motherboards by almost an inch, and the Solo has about a half inch before the hard drive bays.

If you really want to know for sure, I can find out for you. I have two Solo cases at work and, ahem, a couple of GTX 280 cards. Just sweet talk me by promising to buy BFG cards - even if you lie to me. ;)

Ok! :gift: Two new GTX280 are on the way to your address. *cough* ;)

Now can I find out if my new GTX280 will fit my poor old PC? :D
 

sneakybit

Member
Aug 20, 2008
49
0
0
Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong
I can't speak for you, but I love my Solo case. Its compact, but the internal cable guides and additional fan mounts (which I filled with more Antec Tricool fans) make it a joy to work with, and even with the extra fans, its the quitest case I've ever heard thanks to the drive mounting grommets and sound-deadening side panels.

Yeah the Solo is a darn great case. Looks really attractive. It's going to suck if the graphics card won't fit. :cookie:
 

sneakybit

Member
Aug 20, 2008
49
0
0
Just in case (no pun intended) the GTX280 doesn't fit my Antec Solo. Can someone suggest another Antec case that definitely can take the GTX280? ... Pleeeeeeese
 

CP5670

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
5,508
586
126
The 280 basically hangs over the edge of a standard ATX board by about an inch, so you will need at least that much clearance. The power connectors face sideways though, so you don't have to take those into account.
 

sneakybit

Member
Aug 20, 2008
49
0
0
Originally posted by: CP5670
The 280 basically hangs over the edge of a standard ATX board by about an inch, so you will need at least that much clearance. The power connectors face sideways though, so you don't have to take those into account.

Thanks for that CP5670!

Yeah the GTX280 is not going to fit. :(

Can you tell me if you have heard of the Antec P182 Gun Metal Black Case? Looks like the GTX280 will be fine in that one... ?

Antec P182
 

CP5670

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2004
5,508
586
126
Originally posted by: sneakybit
Originally posted by: CP5670
The 280 basically hangs over the edge of a standard ATX board by about an inch, so you will need at least that much clearance. The power connectors face sideways though, so you don't have to take those into account.

Thanks for that CP5670!

Yeah the GTX280 is not going to fit. :(

Can you tell me if you have heard of the Antec P182 Gun Metal Black Case? Looks like the GTX280 will be fine in that one... ?

Antec P182

From the pictures of that case on Newegg it looks like it should just fit, but it depends on how many hard drives you have installed. It may not work anymore if you load up all the hard drive bays, since the SATA cables could get in the way.

If you're buying a new case anyway, your best bet is some sort of fulltower or extra-deep midtower. Those will have no problem with it. I have one of the original CM Stacker cases and there are several inches between the card and the drive bays.
 

sneakybit

Member
Aug 20, 2008
49
0
0
Ordered the Antec P182 Gun Metal Black Case - Spoke to the guy at the shop and says he's running this case with 2 GTX280's!
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
106
Originally posted by: sneakybit
Ordered the Antec P182 Gun Metal Black Case - Spoke to the guy at the shop and says he's running this case with 2 GTX280's!
Yep, it'll take any video card as long as you don't use the top drive bay (this still leaves room for 4 drives in the lower bay). With the top bay in use, you'd be restricted to 260/4850 sized cards.
 

sneakybit

Member
Aug 20, 2008
49
0
0
Originally posted by: ViRGE
Originally posted by: sneakybit
Ordered the Antec P182 Gun Metal Black Case - Spoke to the guy at the shop and says he's running this case with 2 GTX280's!
Yep, it'll take any video card as long as you don't use the top drive bay (this still leaves room for 4 drives in the lower bay). With the top bay in use, you'd be restricted to 260/4850 sized cards.

Thanks for verifying this for me ViRGE.

I got over my initial disappointment that I will need to move out of my shiny Antec Solo and I'm looking forward to the new Antec P182 now.
 

450R

Senior member
Feb 22, 2005
319
0
0
Originally posted by: ViRGE
Yep, it'll take any video card as long as you don't use the top drive bay (this still leaves room for 4 drives in the lower bay). With the top bay in use, you'd be restricted to 260/4850 sized cards.

The 260 and 280 aren't the same length?

 

Fattysharp

Member
Nov 23, 2005
95
0
0
I have a p182 case, and while the larger video cards fit, it is tight, and i ddint like how tight it was.

What i did was remove the upper HD bay (pulls out easily) and install my 2 hd's in the lower front bay. the upper bay allows a fan to be installed as an intake fan, so with the bay gone, the fan installed, it blows cool air right over whatever video card you use.

Works quite well for me, but i do not know how many HDs you have.
 

Compddd

Golden Member
Jul 5, 2000
1,864
0
71
I had a Solo, and this very issue is why I got a P180 mini. When you take out the bottom HD cage you have room for any graphics card up to 15" long :) and you can install a 120mm intake fan to blow air right across the card.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
I've verified that the GTX 280 will not fit. GTX 260 is the same size, as are the 9800 GTX+ cards. 8800 GT fit. Strangely, I did not have an 8800 GTS 512MB handy. I'm thinking it should fit, but will be really close.
 

phantom404

Golden Member
Nov 2, 2004
1,460
2
81
I have the antec p182 modded case with side window but i have a 4870 in mine. It has plenty of room but thats having the mid hard drive bay out and just an intake fan in there. My hard drive is in the very bottom bay like the above poster said his was. If the mid bay was in my 4870 looks like it would have about an inch or so to hit the bay. So if you keep the middle bay in it will be a tight squeeze for the 280 because my dad bought a 9800gx2 and the card itself was longer then the box the 4870 came in.
 

450R

Senior member
Feb 22, 2005
319
0
0
Originally posted by: Zap
I've verified that the GTX 280 will not fit. GTX 260 is the same size, as are the 9800 GTX+ cards. 8800 GT fit. Strangely, I did not have an 8800 GTS 512MB handy. I'm thinking it should fit, but will be really close.

Thanks, that saves me a lot of money and frustration. I guess it's either a 48*0 or a new case.

 

Buck Armstrong

Platinum Member
Dec 17, 2004
2,015
1
0
Originally posted by: Zap
I've verified that the GTX 280 will not fit. GTX 260 is the same size, as are the 9800 GTX+ cards. 8800 GT fit. Strangely, I did not have an 8800 GTS 512MB handy. I'm thinking it should fit, but will be really close.

8800 GTS 512 is the same length as the GT, but has a dual-slot cooler instead of single. So it'll fit.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong
8800 GTS 512 is the same length as the GT

Funny thing, but I have a bunch of 8800 GT/9800 GT cards to play with, and they are not all the same length. ;) From shortest to longest, about 1/2" or maybe 5/8". The longer card seems to have more power circuitry stuff, as in a normal fansink will fit because GPU and memory are in the normal locations, but the card extends out past the end of the fansink, with another row of capacitors.