Replacing an old graphics card in a BTX case

[Onox]

Hi,

Sorry, this is most likely a dumb question, but I could not find a definitive answer. I have an old Dell XPS 420 PC (from January 2008) whose graphics card I would like to replace. But it is a BTX chassis and mainboard. The card that is inside is a GeForce 8800 GTX, which has its fan on the upper side. For all current cards that I know, it's the reverse and therefore when the card is dual slot, the second slot is the one below the slot you insert the card in. Will any new card fit in that case ? There never were graphics cards specifically for BTX, were there ? The card I am planning to buy is the Asus R7 250 1GD5. I know it's not a high-performance card, but the PC won't really be used for gaming anymore, and it is single slot.

 

[LTC8K6]

Why not get a skinny single slot card, like a GT730 GDDR5?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133542

 

[NTMBK]

Is the fan not on the top because the motherboard is the opposite way around to an ATX? So if you put that card in a regular case, it would be the normal way around?

 

[Face2Face]

Hi,

Sorry, this is most likely a dumb question, but I could not find a definitive answer. I have an old Dell XPS 420 PC (from January 2008) whose graphics card I would like to replace. But it is a BTX chassis and mainboard. The card that is inside is a GeForce 8800 GTX, which has its fan on the upper side. For all current cards that I know, it's the reverse and therefore when the card is dual slot, the second slot is the one below the slot you insert the card in. Will any new card fit in that case ? There never were graphics cards specifically for BTX, were there ? The card I am planning to buy is the Asus R7 250 1GD5. I know it's not a high-performance card, but the PC won't really be used for gaming anymore, and it is single slot.

To answer your question: Yes, the Asus R7 250 1GD5 will fit without any issues.

 

[Onox]

Thank you all for your answers

I think NTMBK is completely right ; it is possible to see that just by mentally rotating the card

 

[Insert_Nickname]

I think NTMBK is completely right ; it is possible to see that just by mentally rotating the card

He is. Its not like the PCI(e) standard is different just because of BTX. Its just mounted mirror reverse.

If you look carefully, you can also see the mainboard is mounted on the opposite side or reversed compared to ATX in some (computer... ) cases.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/1157

 

[Killrose]

I've delt with a few of the Gateway comps that are BTX and you have to also look out for the CPU heatsink being in the way and maybe some capacitors also. I 've got one here at home for the grandkids to play warthunder with me with an HD7770 in it.

I did have t cut off one of the CPU passive heatsink fins to get the fan shroud to clear. You also have to watch out for the ps2 and or usb housings if you try and get a double slot card and turn it into single slot card, you cant use a card with stacked DVI ports.