Problems with evga8800 GTS form factor into a Dell

[lougreen]

I've read these forums for a while and now need help that hasn't been covered. I purchased a Dell E521 with an Intel motherboard 2 months ago. I just purchased an EVGA 8800 GTS graphics card, and the darned thing won't fit.

There is a black plastic casing that surrounds and anchors the heatsync for the CPU. This black plastic casing is in the way of the stock cooling fan from the graphics card. I realize that I probably need to get a new cooling fan for the CPU. Any suggestions as to which cooling fan to purchase?

I also removed the whole CPU cooling system and discovered that the graphics card hovers about 1/2 inch over the bottom right anchor for the CPU cooling.

By the way, I'm not overclocking anything, so I don't need any fancy cooling solutions and my case is relatively small.

Any help is most appreciated.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

You can try a standard 775 cooler like the Freezer Pro 7, however, used to, at least back in the S478 days, the heatsink mounts were proprietary.

 

[Phlargo]

Taking a quick look at the motherboard in your system LouGreen and at Intel's site indicates that you're using a MicroBTX form factor motherboard with standard mounting holes. There are likely a multitude of solutions for this type of configuration - you need to find one that has a very low profile at the edges.

This one is quite low profile and might do the job - you'll have to measure it exactly to insure that it'll actually work:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103018

This one is really neat and should also get out of the way of your video card - it seems to be passively cooled even or you could install a fan on the side away from the GPU. Because you're not O/Cing I would imagine if your case has adaquate ventilation you may not even need a fan for a lower clocked core 2 duo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835109127

Hopefully that'll give you something to get started with.

Oh.. also, once you choose a fan combo, you may actually try to call the manufacturer of the product and ask how it would work in your situation - heatsink/fan companies are surprisingly willing to help out

 

[lougreen]

Thank you both for the help.

Coolnessrune,
My biggest concern is the small 1/2" clearance I'll have above the bottom right anchor for my CPU cooling solution. Judging by a few pictures I've seen of the standard 775 cooler, it doesn't look like it will fit. Thanks for the help and if you have any other ideas, please send them along.

Phlargo,
Those cooling solutions look like they may do the job. As you seem to insinuate, I'll need to take exact measurements to be sure they fit, so I don't have the same problem I just encountered with the delivery of the 8800. And thanks for the suggestion about calling the company. I'll give that a shot when I get this sorted out.

Once again, I welcome any other suggestions.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Think you could do me a favor? Measure the distance from the center of the CPU heatsink to the back of where your video card is going to be. I'll be able to help more that way. Rough estimate will work, but please at least use a tape measure

 

[lougreen]

I can do you one better. The distance from the back of the computer case to the beginning of the stock heatsync is 6.5 inches. The thickness of the 8800 is ~1". If I drew a parallel line extending the PCI slot, I have at most 1/3" clearance from the CPU cooling solution to where the card would be if it were the length of the mobo. Yeah, it's tight. I took pictures, if you'd like to take a look.

I spent most of the day trying to solve this problem (contacting cooling solution companies, local computer dealers, a computer expert whom I trust and heavily rely on, etc.) and found that Dell made the cooling solution customized for the system, and there are probably no other CPU cooling solutions that will fit.

I further discovered that the power supply that comes with the computer (350 watts) is not enough to support the 8800GTS. Therefore, much to my chagrin, I need to find another graphics card (I already have an RMA for the 8800 to return it). I plan on testing out a 7900GS tomorrow and HOPE that it works.

I use a 22" widescreen Acer LCD and am looking for the best available card that will fit my system. If you could offer any suggestions on any of this (other than not to buy a Dell in the future), I'm certainly game.

BTW, I have a Dell E520, not an E521. And thanks again for the help.

 

[John]

The E520 has a 305W psu w/ dual +12v rails @ 18A and a max combined output on those rails @ 264W. It will easily power a 7950GT or X1950Pro. I don't know anyone that has been able to put a dual slot PCIe graphics card into the E520/521. Any single slot card should be fine.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: lougreen
I can do you one better. The distance from the back of the computer case to the beginning of the stock heatsync is 6.5 inches. The thickness of the 8800 is ~1". If I drew a parallel line extending the PCI slot, I have at most 1/3" clearance from the CPU cooling solution to where the card would be if it were the length of the mobo. Yeah, it's tight. I took pictures, if you'd like to take a look.

I spent most of the day trying to solve this problem (contacting cooling solution companies, local computer dealers, a computer expert whom I trust and heavily rely on, etc.) and found that Dell made the cooling solution customized for the system, and there are probably no other CPU cooling solutions that will fit.

I further discovered that the power supply that comes with the computer (350 watts) is not enough to support the 8800GTS. Therefore, much to my chagrin, I need to find another graphics card (I already have an RMA for the 8800 to return it). I plan on testing out a 7900GS tomorrow and HOPE that it works.

I use a 22" widescreen Acer LCD and am looking for the best available card that will fit my system. If you could offer any suggestions on any of this (other than not to buy a Dell in the future), I'm certainly game.

BTW, I have a Dell E520, not an E521. And thanks again for the help.

Yeah, I had guessed that it was proprietary, they love to do that sort of thing The PSU should be fine, but if you start getting freezes, you can always get the 500W Enhance unit. Little money for a lot of bang. As far as I know, Dell quit using proprietary PSUs sometime around 2004 I think.

Can you give us a pic of the inside of your case?

 

[orion23]

I tried the same thing once but gave up.

The E521 is BTX and uses the front fan / duct to the CPU.

1: you need to use a different CPU Cooler, and I don't think that's possible since the mounting holes are different.

2: If I remember correctly, the second slot needed for the installation will interfere with the North Bridge Cooler.

 

[Phlargo]

One concern I have about running any card in that system is the lack of availability of the 6 pin PCI-E add-in power connector. I had to run my 7900 GS without it for a while as a test and it seemed to work out just fine. Anyone know if this is a problem? Personally, given my own experience, I'm guessing it's not..

Also, based on those pictures you sent me, Lou, I would say that you'll likely be just fine with a 7900 class card (at least the GT or the GS). They don't have nearly as thick a heat sink/fan combo as that monster of an 8800.

 

[lougreen]

Thanks for all the advice. It does appear that Dell's CPU cooling is proprietary and only their cooling system can be mounted on the board (thanks, orion23). I tried to use a 7900GS card, today, and it fit (barely). Better yet, it also worked . I'm thinking of just giving up on the 8800 and finding a 7900GS at the best available price.

As far as the 6 pin PCIE power connector, it looks like that the card comes with an adapter that will convert the basic 4-pin power connector coming from the power box (I don't know the technical name for that) to the 6-pin power connector you're referring to. Just like you tested, I ran the card for a while w/o using the add'l power connector, and it worked just fine.

Coolnessrune, I do have a picture, but don't have a website to post it with. If you could provide me with an email address, or some other way to send it, I'd be happy to show it to you.

I have to say, the Anandtech community has certainly lived up to its reputation, as far as providing help. Thanks eveyone and keep it coming!

 

[Phlargo]

That's what we like to hear Good luck with the install - the 7900 GS is a great card for the price.