Need help - I frakked up

[JediKnight]

So I wanted to upgrade the video card on my HP m9250f desktop computer. I bought a PowerColor Radeon 4890 (which was on sale on Boxing Day for a pretty good price..).. and..

well, I frakked up. The card is BIG, VERY BIG.. so big that it doesn't fit:
1) It is a dual slot card, and even though I have an empty PCI-E slot in between, the top of the card would press up against my TV tuner card (and there are no extra PCI-E slots to move the tuner card to..) - I assume this would be a *very bad* thing..

2) The card is LONG - 10.5".. and there is a (useless) proprietary drive bay (which is connected to the HD caddy.. facepalm!)

With that in mind.. I need some advice. What should I do?

A new case won't help - I'd still have the issue with space between the vid card and the TV tuner card (and it'd be very highly undesirable to remove the tuner card.. I use it all the time).

I could build a new computer and use the m9250f strictly as a media center.. but that'd be significant $$, and I otherwise don't need another desktop (the m9250f has decent specs, except for the vid card..)..

I could sell the 4890 (can't return it..) and buy a different card. If I go this route, which card should I buy? Heat and physical size are my main concerns (I bought a new 550W PSU so power shouldn't be a problem..).. I want the best performing card subject to these constraints.

.. or maybe there is some option I haven't considered?

 

[drew726]

the does the tv card fit in? A lot of people have their cards touching each other.

 

[JediKnight]

the does the tv card fit in? A lot of people have their cards touching each other.

I think it does.. but the vid card would be pretty much pressing right up against it. I assume this would be a very Bad Thing, and would cause the vid card to overheat?

BTW: A pic inside my case (w/o new vid card), if this is of any use:

 

[drew726]

The tv tuner card would be touching the plastic casing that covers the 4890 cooler correct? A lot of people crossfire multiple 4890 and have their coolers touch the PCB of another vid card. It wouldn't overheat the video card because the video card would only have a chance to overheat if its playing games. You wouldn't be using your TV tuner card if you're playing games so it wont matter. To tell you the truth, I'd be more worried about your card overheating from all the cables everywhere but chances are it won't if you dont' overclock it.

 

[CitanUzuki]

should be fine, what kind of cooling does the 4890 have? If its the orignal the intake should stick out past that tv tuner and vent the heat out of the case(if this is the one you have im almost certain you should be fine).

 

[skulkingghost]

Worse comes to worst just use a program and up the fan speed a bit on your card, you should be fine though!

 

[zagood]

Also, looks like you may be able to remove the proprietary drive bay - it's a little fuzzy but I see two bolts that hold it to the case frame (plus probably two hidden on the other side) - check if you can unscrew them, and if not, there's always cutting.

 

[Itchrelief]

Have you tried to fit it in yet? Seems to me that your problem isn't going to be the drive cage but all the cables, especially the SATA ones coming up straight underneath where the 4890 is going to be. If it's just one cable there, you might be able to get away with a 90 degree cable and put the bent part on the mobo instead of the drive. Or you might not.

edit: it looks like you've taken something out in the middle of the front of the case (which is why it looks like you have the horizontal space to put in the 4890). I assume that's the HD cage. If so, you could probably just get some 5.25" mounting brackets and move the HD up under the disc drive.

 

[blanketyblank]

In terms of another card possibility I think 5770 and 5850 are both shorter than 4890.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3650

You'll probably still have problems with a new card bumping into the TV tuner, but it's not an issue at all with the 5xxx series since they run a lot cooler. How much can you get for the 4890?

 

[nitromullet]

If you can get the card to fit by moving that mess of cabling in there, you should be fine. The drive cage looks like it is designed to accommodate a card above it.

Also, the amount of space used by a single slot is an industry standard. A card that is designed to fit into two slots won't go beyond two slots, so the 4890 won't make contact with your TV tuner card.

Your biggest challenge will be managing all those wires, but wires can be moved so this looks doable. Looks like you will also have to move that USB port bracket to the slot above your tuner card, but that shouldn't be an issue.

Your motherboard is an Asus motherboard (model IPIBL-LB), which appears to be built specifically for HP by Asus, but it looks pretty standard. The picture below is right side up, HP mounted it upside down in your case.

motherboard info: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...roduct=3688702

 

[Keysplayr]

+1 ^
And OP, You should really rethink the cabling in that rig. It has to be absolutely killing your airflow. A 4890 is going to need some air.

 

[n7]

Take out the useless external drive cage, re-do cabling, & you'll be fine.
TV Tuner touching the plastic shroud on the card isn't going to hurt anything.

Ah right, i forgot for the sec that the HDD is attached to the other side of that stupid HDD cage.
Eh, i'd still take it out, & just leave the HDD on the base of the case, or as another poster mentioned, you could mount it in the 5.25" bays if you don't want it on the base.

 

[drew726]

fixing cables on a brandname computer case is a bitch like no other. Just get this?
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BD11276

22 bucks and theres room behind the motherboard tray for you to hide all your cables. Although thats probably a lot more work than you wanted to do.

 

[digitaldurandal]

It isn't a big deal if they touch a little.

Possible replacement 5770 is the close performance with lower power consumption and more features. Just don't plan on Ocing it with multiple monitors.

 

[YBS1]

You're 100% fine, trust me. I have an m9340f that I use as a media center which is layout wise identical to yours and at one time I was running a 4890 in it. It will fit without any issues though you will probably have to be careful with your cable routing. I had to remove my pci-e wireless-n card from the slot immediately above the gpu though but from what you're describing your model isn't equipped with one.

In fact now that I look at the picture you pasted you're in far better shape than I was as I have a 650 watt BFG powersupply in mine which is noticeably larger than the OEM HP.

 

[Sahakiel]

One option is to find an aftermarket cooler that will fit.
Another option is to use a waterblock.
Yet another option is to find a PCI tuner card.
Personally, I'd install the card and simply pray the tuner card can withstand the extra heat. You won't get a short because the shroud is plastic, but it's going to get very hot in there.

 

[Imp]

I just made a thread like this but with a 5770 and a sound card in the next slot over. There's a 3mm gap when the tower is upright, and my temperatures so far have been fine in games. Mind you, it's winter and 15 C or less inside. Also, I have a hueg P183 with very good wire routing, and lots of air space.

If it fits, try it and watch the temps. If they're bad, then think about swapping the motherboards first. Either that or get a PCI tuner of you have available slots.