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Adding a second GPU when Case/MB doesn't allow it

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Hello,

I was planning on adding in another 7850 to my rig since I knew my MB had another PCIE slot free and Newegg has one for stupid cheap so I ordered one. The problem is I didn't take into account where the slot was in relation to my case and the fact my case only has 4 bays total and the cards each use two.

The slot setup is:
PCI-E (GPU here)
PCI-E 1x (Covered)
PCI
PCI-E

Now obviously if my case had 5 slots then this wouldn't be an issue, but stuck with four I can't see a solution. I know I could get a riser to move it to a different slot, but with the only option the PCI slot I don't think I could use since the connection would get in the way.

Any ideas or am I stuck? I'm willing to buy adapters, but not a new case or MB.
 

Norton

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What case and motherboard do you have?
 
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Yeah you need a different case
 

Norton

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Cut a hole in the bottom of the case, put a filter over the card ;)

Not kidding btw....
 
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I just don't know. The best thing to to is what Norton said. Put taller case feet and somehow cut a hole in the bottom of the case. Or buy a cheap used case with at least 5 or 6 expansion slots. Or buy a PCi-E riser and build a small case compartment in the bottom of the case to house the second card. But to tell you the truth a new case looks like the best and cleanest solution.
 
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You could "mount" it on a 5.25 bay but then there is the issue about the Xfire cable.

If you don't want to mod or construct custom stuff you could get another board with a different layout. An Asrock Z87M Extreme4 would suit your needs.

Or better yet, sell your 7850 and get a 7950/7970. You could get one for ~150 used if you're lucky.
 
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or just buy pciex riser, a longer one
 

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For everyone suggesting riser cards and PCIe cable extensions: Remember that for a 7850, you need a crossfire bridge to connect to the first card. That limits the mounting options significantly since the bridges can be pretty short,
 

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thats why you use a flex cable just make sure you get at least 3 incase one is defective
 
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Sell case on craigslist buy case on craigslist. You can get some crazy cases on there.
 
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maybe the best is just buy cheap case, and you can cut it to improve your airflow
cheap case tagged below $50 and you have nothing to lose than cut your current case
 
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Sell 7850s, get a 7970/280x
 
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You could always drill new holes in the plate the mobo sits on, move the whole mobo back and up a little and run cables through the slots at the back. An inelegant solution, but, the case would retain its integrity and you wouldn't have to buy anything more than a drill bit.
Either that, or remove the rivets from the back of the case, cut the top portion off the back and shift it all up. Put the PSU in the 5.25 bays and move the back plate up too.

You'll either have to modify your case or buy a new one.
 
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