space between MB chip and GPU

[soundzen]

hello, Techies.

as i prepare to choose my new graphic card, to replace my old 1-fan mini-itx GTX 1660 super OC 6Gb, im wondering if:

• will my future 2-fans longer RTX gpu, touch the protective shield covering the Asus prime Z790M+ MB chip (red arrow) ???

• between my GPU radiator fins (red lign) and the top of the MB chip shield, there is about 1CM gap.

• do gpu manufacturers take these rised-components in consideration?

(PS: i know theres a way to use a pci-e flexible ribbon to move gpu further away from mobo, but i dont have space in my mini-atx Cooler Master Q300L case).

...thanks for any insight.

 

[Sithaer]

It shouldn't get in the way. 'I mean that would be a pretty bad design'
I have a Prime mobo with a 3 fan Asus TuF RTX 3060 Ti and it fits w/o issues.

Edit:
Took a pic.

 

[soundzen]

i was thinking of that same gpu so thats great news - thanks for nice pic!

 

[Bill_Bright]

• do gpu manufacturers take these rised-components in consideration?

Not really - not unless specifically made for SFF (small form factor) systems. This means most graphics cards are designed to be mounted on standard size ATX motherboards and in cases that support standard ATX motherboards. That typically means most all mid to full tower cases.

This is why the dimensions of graphics card are typically published.

A 1cm gap is close, but not too close.

 

[Calenhad]

There are design specifications for motherboards and GPUs to prevent these type of issues. Meaning this should never be of any concern. There are less requirements for the case outside of the motherboard footprint, you are more likely to run into size constraints there.

Even a 1mm gap is good enough. It would just require careful insertion of the GPU. The part you are worried about is not a shield, it is a heatsink which is connected to the motherboard with plastic pins.

 

[soundzen]

ohh heatsink is vital indeed, thanks i will be careful.

 

[Chomiq]

hello, Techies.

as i prepare to choose my new graphic card, to replace my old 1-fan mini-itx GTX 1660 super OC 6Gb, im wondering if:

• will my future 2-fans longer RTX gpu, touch the protective shield covering the Asus prime Z790M+ MB chip (red arrow) ???

• between my GPU radiator fins (red lign) and the top of the MB chip shield, there is about 1CM gap.

• do gpu manufacturers take these rised-components in consideration?

(PS: i know theres a way to use a pci-e flexible ribbon to move gpu further away from mobo, but i dont have space in my mini-atx Cooler Master Q300L case).

...thanks for any insight.

Unless chipset heatsink is taller than the PCI-E slot you should have no issues.

 

[xtreemchaos]

i think you should be fine there should be morethan enough space bud.

 

[Bill_Bright]

There are design specifications for motherboards and GPUs to prevent these type of issues. Meaning this should never be of any concern.

Umm, not really. If there were, there would not be complaints about graphics cards interfering with RAM or other components. Or heatsink fan assemblies interfering with components surrounding the CPU socket.

Yes, the ATX Form Factor ensures things like PCIe connector slots on ATX compliant motherboards aligning properly with the slots on the rear of the ATX compliant case. And for motherboard and PSU mounting screws aligning with corresponding mounting points in the case. And the motherboard rear I/O area aligning with the rear I/O area of the case.

And there are ATX standards for the maximum heights of cards, standard voltages, connectors, and various interfaces like USB, PCIe, HDMI, Ethernet, SATA, etc.

But sadly, the motherboard makers have a lot of leeway when it comes to component placement. Now of course, they want their boards to support as many add-ons as possible, but there absolutely are many exceptions making this a very real concern.

HOWEVER - do not forget the OP is using a tiny ITX board, not an ATX or even µATX board.

 

[Super Firm Tofu]

HOWEVER - do not forget the OP is using a tiny ITX board, not an ATX or even µATX board.

They have a micro-atx motherboard. They are currently using an "ITX sized GPU" (the GTX 1660) and will be replacing with a full length GPU posing the question about clearance over the chipset heatsink.

 

[Jose Jeswin]

Its a low profile heatsink...its safe to install long GPUs....its shorter than the PCIe slot.....

 

[Bill_Bright]

They have a micro-atx motherboard. They are currently using an "ITX sized GPU" (the GTX 1660) and will be replacing with a full length GPU posing the question about clearance over the chipset heatsink.

Oops. Thanks. Have since increased coffee intake!

 

[dgianstefani]

i was thinking of that same gpu so thats great news - thanks for nice pic!

Why buy an Ampere GPU in late 2024?

Ampere cards do not have the very large cache that Ada cards have, so they're more sensitive to VRAM limitations.

- 3060 Ti.

 

[soundzen]

thx all for your input... just to be sure on pci-e clearance and due to case width, im sticking to a 2-Fans gpu avoiding bumping on ram too, we never know

 

[keakar]

thx all for your input... just to be sure on pci-e clearance and due to case width, im sticking to a 2-Fans gpu avoiding bumping on ram too, we never know

the thing i hate the most about that case is the PSU on bottom, to me it just restricts airflow to everything like that.

atx mid tower cases are cooler and quieter, you never want to be that crowded with things trying to get cool air

 

[soundzen]

indeed @keakar, the psu fan has intake from bottom of case, so i have to find 4 new feet to elevate the case and give more airflow from my desk table.

sorry @dgianstefani - i didn't understand your suggestion ??? are you saying to wait for 2025 -OR- not to buy a RTX ???
i already had a debate about AMD vs NVIDIA and im on a 400 Euros budget and RTX4060Ti has enough from 550W playing Skyrim-type games at 1080 on a TV.

 

[AusWolf]

The chipset heatsink is low enough, it shouldn't get in the way of a GPU.

 

[Jose Jeswin]

indeed @keakar, the psu fan has intake from bottom of case, so i have to find 4 new feet to elevate the case and give more airflow from my desk table.

sorry @dgianstefani - i didn't understand your suggestion ??? are you saying to wait for 2025 -OR- not to buy a RTX ???
i already had a debate about AMD vs NVIDIA and im on a 400 Euros budget and RTX4060Ti has enough from 550W playing Skyrim-type games at 1080 on a TV.

https://www.amazon.in/StarTech-4-Inch-Self-Adhesive-Rubber-RUBBERFEET/dp/B00032Q30Q

You can easily get stick-on computer case legs like these....
look for amplifier/furniture stick- on feet

 

[Bill_Bright]

the thing i hate the most about that case is the PSU on bottom, to me it just restricts airflow to everything like that.

Are you saying "that" case specifically, or all cases with the PSU on the bottom? Or all small form factor cases?

Either way, in general, your concern about bottom mounted PSUs really is not valid and here's why.

The motherboard, CPU and other components are mounted above the PSU. So the PSU is not in the way or restricting any airflow.

In a properly designed case, including the OP's CM Q300L case, there are vents on the bottom for the PSU to draw cool air through (instead of stealing cool air from inside the case as top mounted PSUs do). That's a good thing. And since the PSU mounts to the back of the case, the PSU's heat is exhausted directly out the back. So it is not contributing to the heat inside the case, or restricting air flow to other heat sensitive components.

Now I have seen cases with bottom mounted PSUs that did not have vents in the bottom. But IMO, those are not properly designed cases and should be avoided.

atx mid tower cases are cooler and quieter, you never want to be that crowded with things trying to get cool air

This is typically true but that is just the typical difference in standard characteristics of all mid-tower ATX cases vs smaller microATX cases. That's also the problem with laptop cases. Designers can pack the horsepower of a standard PC into those tiny cases, but not the cooling.

 

[soundzen]

https://www.amazon.in/StarTech-4-Inch-Self-Adhesive-Rubber-RUBBERFEET/dp/B00032Q30Q

You can easily get stick-on computer case legs like these....
look for amplifier/furniture stick- on feet

thanks for the "feet" link, appreciate the help to all of you!