Will a GTX card fit in a mid-tower case?

[JTsyo]

I've seen some poeple post that these cards are so big, you need a full tower to house it. Is this the case or is it certain mid-cases aren't good for them? I don't think I need more that the very basics when I get my new computer so a full doesn't make sense unless the video card needs the room.

 

[yh125d]

Most mid tower cases will fit. Which case in particular?

 

[BassBomb]

It really depends on what case you are talking about.

Plenty of "mid tower" cases are very large and plenty are very small

 

[chizow]

It should fit most mid-towers, just get a tape measure and check for 11" of clearance between the expansion back plate to the first obstructing object, which will typically be a hard drive cage. Keep in mind though, you may not be able to use the HDD slots directly in-line with the GPU if you only have ~12-13" of clearance.

My 8800GTX and 280s have fit in: Antec 300, 900 and 1200, although installation in the 900 does not allow for use of the passthrough fan cage.

 

[Painman]

Yep. 11" is about what you need... the 260/280 is 10.5" and I believe 285/295 is the same.

 

[JTsyo]

Excellent. I considering a comp from ***** but w/o a graphics card. Just want to be sure I don't end up with a case adn can't put the video card in. Their options for cases are as follows:

SilverStone TJ09 Aluminum Tower 500W Case(Black Color)[+230]
CoolerMaster Centurion 590 RC-590 Mid-Tower 420W Case()[+20]
XION II Mid-Tower Case 350Watt W/ Mod Side-Panel Window(BLACK COLOR)[-20
X-Tsunami Mid-Tower 420W Gaming Case w/ Side Panel Window(BLACK COLOR)[-4] ?
Apevia X-SniperG Mid-Tower 420W Case(Black Color)[-3]
X-Cruiser Mid-Tower 420W Case W/ WINDOW, MultiMeter Display & Control(Black Color)[-5]
Sigma Gaming Unicorn Mid-Tower 420W
Xion III Gaming Mid-Tower 420W Case
Antec Nine Hundred Ultimate Gamer 420W Case with Side Window[+61]
CM Storm Sniper Full Tower Gaming 420W Case()[+110]
Thermaltake M9 VI1000BWS Mid-Tower 420W Case w/ Side-panel Window[+19]
Thermaltake Spedo Full Tower 420W Case w/ Side-panel Window()[+121]
GigaByte 3D Mars Full Tower 420W Case w/ Side-panel Mesh(SILVER COLOR)[+80]

I was considering the bolded one since it seems pretty big.

 

[millerlight789]

I know this si off topic, but you are going to buy another psu aren't you?

 

[Shmee]

probably a good idea. though it depends on the quality and make of the PSU. I have an antec 430 neopower that ran a 260/216 fine with an e5200 and one HDD. but thats a better psu than most that come with cases.

 

[imported_Scoop]

I wanna see the day when the height of the case limits what GPU you can use.

 

[JTsyo]

Yea, I was looking at a 650W PSU. From an article I saw on sizing PSU, it seemed a i7 920 and a 280 system would need around 500W.
Not sure why it censored the Xtreme Gear site. Guess it might consider it advertising.

 

[nitromullet]

http://www.modders-inc.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews

With HDD Installed Only 9.75" of Clearance for Video Card

Sounds like that case would be tight even if you move your HDD. It's too bad that didn't say how much clearance there was without the HDD mounted in front of the card.

 

[Ryland]

The 260GTX I have in my sig barely fits in my Antec Lifestyle Sonata case. There are only a few millimeters between the end of the card and the edge of the drive cage.

 

[JTsyo]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
http://www.modders-inc.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews

With HDD Installed Only 9.75" of Clearance for Video Card

Sounds like that case would be tight even if you move your HDD. It's too bad that didn't say how much clearance there was without the HDD mounted in front of the card.

Thanks for that link. That was a good review. With 9.75 clearance with the bay, I would think it's more than 12" w/o the bay.

 

[Ryland]

Originally posted by: JTsyo

Originally posted by: nitromullet
http://www.modders-inc.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews

With HDD Installed Only 9.75" of Clearance for Video Card

Sounds like that case would be tight even if you move your HDD. It's too bad that didn't say how much clearance there was without the HDD mounted in front of the card.

Thanks for that link. That was a good review. With 9.75 clearance with the bay, I would think it's more than 12" w/o the bay.

Probably more like 11 since only about 1" of the hdd sticks out beyond the bay.

 

[JTsyo]

that bottom bay is removable. There's a slot in the other one for 3.5" HDD. THough after looking through the reviews I'm starting to lean towards the Antec 900. There should be plenty of room in that monster.

 

[1ManArmY]

I think that some people, namely me are having issues with the MOBO layout and 200 series video cards. My issue is that the card is 10.5 but I only have 9 inches available before the video card case/cover runs into my SATA ports on my MOBO so you have to either find a third party cooling solution or try it in a full tower case.

ASUS P5K

 

[desertjedi]

There are only a few millimeters between the end of the card and the edge of the drive cage.

Ditto to that!

Here's my before pic and after pic.

That's a good size full-tower (little known brand, iStar) and I've got less than a 1/2" to spare! It had to go in at an angle and then I pivoted it.

 

[zerocool84]

I have a 900 and my 9800GTX+ is 10.5" an it fits with a little over 1" space to the HD cages.

 

[MathTeacher]

I'm new to these forums, longtime AT reader, and I've looked through the forums and haven't come across it yet and thought by registering I may find someone who can show me where to look. This thread caught my eye as a decent place to post.

I bought an eVGA GTX 260+ (aka Core 216 or whatever) with Asus P5N7A-VM inside an Antec Veris Fusion case. The card length issue I solved by cutting part of the case so that it fits the overhang off my mATX board. The power connectors for the GTX are on the long edge and face up (the mobo sits horizontally), but there is not enough room to plug in the two PCIE 6pin connectors when the top of the case is replaced. Does anyone know of any type of low profile or right angle PCIE adapters I could use to get my case to close? This is my first build in 5 years so I'm a bit rusty...

Thanks!
Joe

 

[The1CounT]

Another vote for the Antec 900. It has enough room and excellent cooling, unless you plan on filling all the HDD bays. Even then, you can move them around and create an open spot. I have one of the early models so no filters. It collects a little dust but that's what they make canned and compressed air for right. Hehe