GPU Fans Hitting Side Panel of Case

[angrymexican563]

I was wondering if I could get any suggestions with an issue I'm having. I recently installed a new graphics card in my computer. I have a Gamerstorm Genome case, so the graphics card sits next to the side panel and the fans fans face the outside. The new card is bigger than the last, and the fans are flush with the side panel window. When the fans spin, it hits the window and causes a rattling noise. Also, the card gets way hotter because the fans have no room to suck in air. I've simply kept the side panel off, but I want to know if there's something I could do, like get a different side panel that will offer a couple of inches of clearance between the fans and the panel, or if would have to get a different case entirely. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[nullable]

Sounds like your options are to modify the case, or get a case that will accommodate your hardware.

[Fuerst Fux]

Why don't you install the card horizontally?

[Supafly]

Option are

1. Keep Side panel off
2. Install GPU directly in motherboard
3. New Case
4a. Modify the case so the PCIe extension socket is further inside the case. Find some way to secure it as you won't be able to screw it in like before.

4b. Get some rubber, foam, cushioning material and place some of that between the GPU and the side panel. Stick it to the side panel so it'll gently rest on the GPU around the fan blades as you don't want them screwing the blades. Also be sure not to use something too thick ass you don't want to push the GPU so far that it doesn't sit well in the slot. Something with a sticky back that you can peel of the back and stick should work. Still won't have a lot of clearance for it to work well so try to find a way to fit a fan so that will blow air towards it.

4b would be a pain in the ass. You'd need to find things to work or make your own and honestly no idea how well it'd work to cool the GPU.

Best option is 2 as it won't require any costly and time consuming changes

[_I_]

get a new case that will fit the components you have

[angrymexican563]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm refraining from putting the GPU into the motherboard because I also have a pci usb card installed, and the two will not fit when plugged in at the same time. If I were to get a new case, I would face this issue with the motherboard because the new case will not have the place to put the GPU like the Genome case does. If I want to have both plugged into the motherboard at the same time, I have to get a different motherboard.

[_I_]

most mobos have enough usb ports, you shouldnt need the addon card

also most mobos have a pci-e x1 slot above the x16 for usb/nic/wifi/modem cards

[Fuerst Fux]

I guess you will need an entire new case then (or a new mobo); there are lots of cases that let you Install a GPU vertically, fractal design define r6 or be quiet dark Base 700/900 for example. Whether your GPU will fit better in those will require some research though.

The other option would be some serious case modding.

[_I_]

what mobo do you have?

[angrymexican563]

I would have double check what kind of mobo it is, but it's a pretty small sucky mobo. I'm at work right now, so I'll have to check and post later.

[angrymexican563]

Well turns out I already had my specs saved on my phone. Derp. Here's my mobo:

motherboard: gigabyte GA-H61M-S1
• Intel H61 express chipset
•2200 mhz max ram speed
•LGA 1155 cpu socket
•2 ddr3 slots
•4 SATA connectors
•1 PCI express x16 3.0 standard, 2 PCI Express x1 2.0 standard
• Up to 8 usbs (4 on back, 4 through internal usb headers)

[_I_]

2nd-3rd gen i series mobo

it has 2x x1 slots below the x16
just use that one for the extra addon card

the only things that can be in the way are the sata ports, if its a rev 2.0 or 2.1 board
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H61M-S1-rev-20#ov
in that case, look for a better mobo (x6x-x7x will be for same cpu gens)

or insteadof spending money on a new mobo or case look to a new cpu/mobo/ram

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/V9LXrV

[angrymexican563]

What I'm thinking at this point I should find a way to modify the side panel because it would be the most cost efficient. I could get a different motherboard but eventually I want to upgrade the CPU and I'll have to change the motherboard again because it'll use a different socket.

[r.linder]

Vertical mounting is completely pointless because you're often hindering cooling potential pretty considerably when the side panel is on. Just install it horizontally like it was originally designed and don't waste your time or money on vertical mounting.