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Graphics Cards for Lenovo ThinkStation C30

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  • Lenovo
  • Graphics Cards
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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March 11, 2014 8:16:11 PM

I recently picked up a Lenovo C30 ThinkStation. It seems to be running great, but the only issue I've been having is trying to find a higher-end gaming card (not Quadro) that can fit in it.

The unit supports full height full length PCI Express x16 Gen 3 cards, but it seems most gaming cards are taller than full height and have their 6 pin power connectors on the top. The current card I have inside (Radeon HD 7770) has a 6 pin power connector on the back.

Does anyone know of any graphics cards, GTX 660 Ti and up, (In the AMD world Radeon R9 270 and up) which will fit? It must have a fan which does not significantly clear the top of the card, and must also have its 6 pin power connectors on the back of the card (not top)

More about : graphics cards lenovo thinkstation c30

a b U Graphics card
March 11, 2014 8:54:12 PM

Do you mind finding me a picture of the exact model or inform me of it? I would like to make sure my suggestions will fit the case nice and tight.
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March 11, 2014 9:32:15 PM

IDontUnderstand said:
Do you mind finding me a picture of the exact model or inform me of it? I would like to make sure my suggestions will fit the case nice and tight.



It seems to be an AMD-branded Radeon HD 7770. Measures 12 cm high and looks exactly like this:

http://www.vortez.net/index.php?ct=articles&action=file...
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a b U Graphics card
March 11, 2014 9:42:46 PM

Thanks for the info., but I was referring to the case model and the motherboard.
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March 11, 2014 10:11:24 PM

IDontUnderstand said:
Thanks for the info., but I was referring to the case model and the motherboard.


The case model is a Lenovo ThinkStation C30 with an E-ATX motherboard:

http://thinkstation-specs.com/thinkstation-c30/
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a b U Graphics card
March 11, 2014 10:36:00 PM

Alright so according to your HD 7770 picture that your case should be capable of full-height PCI-E cards, which means any regular cards you see in a gamer's system. Therefore it is capable of upgrading to any cards. In addition to that, your got a 900W PSU, which is more than enough even for SLI/CF config.

Now the problem we got is to find a card with PCI-E power connectors in the back end of the card.

Update: Actually we also need to consider the length of the card. It would be best if you can measure the distance between the PCI-E panel to the front fan and take about 10mm off of that and tell me.
It should be around 265mm
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March 12, 2014 11:48:38 AM

Thanks for your solution! It looks like the Sapphire Radeon R9 270x will be the one I'll get.

IDontUnderstand said:

Update 2: Just a note that these cards will definitely make the PC run a lot hotter, so be ready to act on it.


I think the heat will be ok, considering 2 x Quadro 6000's in SLI is a build-to-order option.

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a b U Graphics card
March 12, 2014 11:53:22 AM

No problem, just make sure you keep temp monitor open just in case, never go over 85 C on any components.

Good luck.
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April 24, 2014 11:26:33 PM

I wonder if there is a higher-end Nvidia card than the GTX 750 Ti that could fit in this configuration - of course the Quadro's are supported and fit, but they're definitely out of my price range.
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a b U Graphics card
April 25, 2014 4:59:35 AM

IDontUnderstand said:
The only thing I can find right now are cards that don't even require a power connector

GTX 750 Ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Update: Oh oh oh I got another one
R9 270X: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Update 2: Just a note that these cards will definitely make the PC run a lot hotter, so be ready to act on it.


R9 270X don't require a power connector??? R9 270X is 180W it needs 2 6-pin power connectors......Minimum power supply is 500W.

Where did you get the idea that a 180w card don't require power connectors??
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April 25, 2014 7:20:38 AM

meat_loaf said:
IDontUnderstand said:
The only thing I can find right now are cards that don't even require a power connector



Where did you get the idea that a 180w card don't require power connectors??


If you look at the pictures of that Sapphire R9 270x, you'll notice that it does have 2 6 pin power connectors; however, they are on the back of the card rather than the top, meaning the card will actually fit in the Lenovo C30.

I did get an R9 270x, but I soon realized for my applications, I also needed a CUDA-capable card.

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