why are vid cards so BIG/LONG?

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Vidman

Member
Jun 27, 2010
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Are there any legit gaming cards that aren't as long as a surfboard? I have a Chieftech full tower case and because I have 4 HDDs ( 2 in lower fan housing ) I can't fit an HD4850 in the damn thing. I'm using an HD5670 which is a nice sized piece but is more a multimedia than gaming card.

Suggestions for something 50% faster than a HD5670 that isn't a block long?

thanks,
V
 
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Chinoman

Senior member
Jan 17, 2005
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You have to remember that many of these cards are built using the same 40nm process as your 5670, meaning that in order to squeeze in any more performance, they had to go bigger. The 28nm cards slated for release later this year and early next year seem fit to deliver the shrink you need.

If you are looking for the most performance in a small form factor right now, though, I would recommend a Palit GTX 560 Ti:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814261100

You should see a good 200%+ leap in performance from what you're currently running.
 
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frostedflakes

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
7,925
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Yeah I've noticed is that nVidia cards seem to be shorter than AMD cards of comparable performance, so 560 Ti would probably be a good option if space is limited.

Or something like the 6850 isn't long at all and should more than meet your performance requirements. It's only once you get into the top of the line cards that length gets really bad.

edit: That Palit card looks great actually, quite a bit shorter than the reference design, which is already pretty short considering the performance it offers. Something like that should fit, only about 0.3" longer than the reference 5670.
 
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frostedflakes

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
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Kind of what I was thinking, lol. Might just be time to get a new case if a 5670 is the best you can fit in it. Those Chieftec (Dragon?) cases were nice like 10 years ago, but isn't going to compare to a modern case.
 
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Vidman

Member
Jun 27, 2010
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LOL, you're probably right about the case but I love the damn thing. all steel and would probably kill somebody if I threw it out the window. That Palit linked by Chinoman will do quite nicely, thanks for the input fellas.
 
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Fallengod

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2001
5,908
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Yeah.. A case that can fit current and future upgrades is an essential part of a system. Sounds like you may not have thought about that when you bought the case. May need to consider a new one.
 
WhoBeDaPlaya

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,414
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Don't mean to sound like a douche, but it is time to get rid of that case / relegate it to a secondary system.
I still have two of those and I'm using them for two of the folks' systems, but they're only running Phenom II X4s and 2600 Pros :p

The biggest problem are the 80mm fans. It'll either not be able to effectively deal with the heatload of a modern quad/hex (SB is an exception) + vid card or cause you to go deaf.

You're also limited from using any vertical HSFs that use fans larger than 92mm.
 
frostedflakes

frostedflakes

Diamond Member
Mar 1, 2005
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Fallengod said:
Yeah.. A case that can fit current and future upgrades is an essential part of a system. Sounds like you may not have thought about that when you bought the case. May need to consider a new one.
Click to expand...
I think he has one of these, has probably owned it for many many years.

BLK-DA-01BD-FB-2.jpg


They were great cases back in their day, very popular among enthusiasts. It's just that they were designed back when a top of the line video card was single slot, 6" in length, and consumed like 75W of power.

Sounds like he's still pretty happy with the Chieftec, might as well keep it since it looks like the Palit 560 Ti will fit and offers plenty of performance for his needs.
 
God Mode

God Mode

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2005
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Videocard have multiple processors, power regulation, memory system etc etc on a little card. Basically, its a standalone computer system. My question is why so many other parts are big.
 
V

Vidman

Member
Jun 27, 2010
62
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frostedflakes said:
I think he has one of these, has probably owned it for many many years.

BLK-DA-01BD-FB-2.jpg


They were great cases back in their day, very popular among enthusiasts. It's just that they were designed back when a top of the line video card was single slot, 6" in length, and consumed like 75W of power.

Sounds like he's still pretty happy with the Chieftec, might as well keep it since it looks like the Palit 560 Ti will fit and offers plenty of performance for his needs.
Click to expand...

Exactly like that except for "very hip" clear side window with a louvered 80mm fan mount. I think I had my Hercules Vid card in here with 2 x Voodoo II's in SLI. haha.....Masscool makes some very quiet/functional/inexpensive 80mm fans. The Scythe cpu cooler I use isn't quiet but it's not a screamer either. It's all good. I'm not a hardcore gamer so the whole SLI thing isn't an issue. Two kids in college has a way of dictating one's PC budget I promise I'll get a new case when I build my next system in about 2-3 years. :cool:
 
sandorski

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,670
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happy medium said:
A gtx560ti will fit and is 2x faster than a 4850 and and probrobly 3x faster than his 5670.With that he should be running a good gaming system along with his x4 955 @3.2.
Click to expand...

Though true, a 4850 isn't that large. Practically any Case currently available will fit a 4850.
 
WhoBeDaPlaya

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,414
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sandorski said:
Though true, a 4850 isn't that large. Practically any Case currently available will fit a 4850.
Click to expand...
Hell, my original CM Praetorian could fit and cool a 4890 just fine. Was the CPU side that got it in the end (no 120mm vertical HSF = no cool OCed i7 920)

cp_3.jpg
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
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sandorski said:
Though true, a 4850 isn't that large. Practically any Case currently available will fit a 4850.
Click to expand...

4850's are 9.4 inches long on avg, there are plenty on gtx570's that are only 9 inches even.
Also remember the 4850 have the pci-e comming out the back of the card, today's cards the pci-e plugs are on the top or on the side.

even 6870's are longer than gtx570's.
 
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ch33kym0use

Senior member
Jul 17, 2005
495
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doesn't bother me about length, my case is long enough for any/all of gaming graphics cards out there
 
LOL_Wut_Axel

LOL_Wut_Axel

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2011
4,310
8
81
Seems like new news to me. The only cards I'd consider long are the 6950-6990 and GTX 580-GTX 590.
 
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