nVidia 8800GTS or 9800GX2 In a Cooler Master 330 Case

[dmw16]

I am coming back to Windows gaming with the parts that were originally going to be my hackintosh. I already have an 8800GTS card but might go with a 9800GX2 (via trade with another member). I am wondering if either of these cards will fit and work well in this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119115

As a side note, I know that the Radeon is a better value, but I already bought the nVidia card and I can't return it. I already have 2 cards I can't use and I think the wife will kill me if I buy a 3rd card

 

[Genx87]

I have a very similar coolmaster case. I own an 8800GTS 640 and it is pretty tight between the card and the drive cage.

 

[dmw16]

Thanks. I am trying to convince myself to not get another (more bad-ass) case, but it is very hard

My wife would likely kill me...

 

[deamer44]

I have that exact same case and there seems to be at liest 3-4 inches room after my 3850
all together it says theres about 37 cm of room for a card (thats if the hard drive isnt the same level as your card)
37 cm is roughly 14.5 inches so either of the cards should fit

 

[deamer44]

Also DMW16 what cpu cooler do you run in your setup?

 

[dmw16]

On my card or my CPU?

The CPU has a Zalman CP9500. The card will have a stock cooler for now. Don't plan on doing any (major) overclocking so I am assuming stock on the vid card will be fine.

I must admit tho, I am really tempted to go and get a really nice case, but I think the wife's patience for this project is wearing thin

 

[bdubyah]

i've got a GTX260 in my 330 case. can't go any bigger than this card, or it probably won't fit. i would think the GX2 should be fine.

just make sure you don't have an HDD in the slot level with were the card sits, or you will have to move it.

 

[dmw16]

My power supply only came with 1 chain of SATA connectors, so I was planning on having a drive behind the card so that I don't have to use some crappy adapter. So it sounds like new PSU or new case...

 

[onedestinazn2]

how long have you had that psu and what model is it?

 

[dmw16]

It is an OCZ StealthStream. I haven't even fired it up yet as I am waiting for my last few components to come in. However, the more I look around the more it seems I bought the wrong power supply for a serious rig.

 

[bdubyah]

well, i just don't see you fitting the card in there with an HDD pointing right at the end of it. even if it would fit with the HDD in there(which i doubt), you certainly won't be able to hook up the SATA cables.

 

[betasub]

My GX2 is a comfortable fit in my CM690, but at 10.5" (267mm) it's as long as any of the current top-end cards, and the stylish square black hsf shroud covers two of my SATA ports on the motherboard ("rounded" hsf shrouds allow SATA connectors to squeeze under them to reach the ports). Naturally there are no HDD bay issues with the GX2 in the CM690, but this could be an issue in the CM330.