Massive Question from a Newbie i.e. dell, video card, and new case!

[fritzi]

Hi I received a fabulous Valentine's Gift from my dh, a new Dell computer. He also bought me a GeForce3 Ti200. However he was a bit deceived as to what the case size to the computer was and the card won't fit. He managed to tweak it in there (I nearly fainted when I saw this), but the case is slightly open still. I have seen posts on various forums on the fabulous dell deals and fitting video cards, so maybe you all can help. Now I am a newbie at this stuff so here are my questions:

1. Can I leave the case slightly open without damaging the computer?
2. Can I get a new case and just rebuild it?
3. What would you recommend I do?

I have a Dell Dimension 4300s, P4 1.7, 80gig hard drive, cdrw. I really don't want to sell the video card, etc, but I am open to any suggestions. We got the card to edit digital video and to get into gaming, which we never have been able to do, thanks to our old inadequate machine.

Thanks for you help!
Amy

 

[AndyHui]

1. Yes, you can leave the case slightly open

2. Usually no, because Dell cases have an odd Power/LED header that is not the same as the standard generic pin header.

3. I suggest you have a look at that video card again....I find it hard to believe that the GeForce cannot fit in that machine.

 

[AluminumStudios]

Hmmm. Those new Dell cases are really funky. The are hinged at the front and open up like a clamshell (split right down the middle.) I just looked at one after reading your problem. They are decent computers but HORRIBLE case design.

Where does the video card hit? does the outside corner of it toward the front of the case hit as you try and close it? Is it seated the whole way into the AGP slot with the green plastic clips that Dell uses instead of screws holding it tightly?

This case design is really funky and I can actually imagine a large card having problems fitting. If it is only a little to wide, the case has these green plastic bumpers on the inside (of the side without the motherboard.) Maybe taking the top one off might give you that extra tiny amount of space you need?

Here are support documents on Dell's site showing diagrams of installing hardware on this system. You will need to register and log in (it's free and quick, so no hassle.)

 

[Cosmic_Horror]

if the card works fine and the case is only open a little i personaly wouldn't worry about at all.

My case hasn't had its sides on in the last 2 years or so, but then again i live alone and have no pets so it doesn't really matter

 

[WhoDeeny]

I leave the side off of my case! It actually helps to keep the temperature down a few more degress, so no it shouldn't harm anything.

 

[fritzi]

Thanks you all are the best. The video card seems to work just fine, so I will take it as it goes, with the case slightly ajar. No pets or smoking in the house, so no excessive amount of pollutants in the air. The card is about 1/2 inch taller than the case for those wondering.

Amy