How Much Room do I need?? (GFX card + Power Supply)

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Khalarag

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Apr 30, 2014
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So recently I've been doing a lot of research on computers because I've picked up my brother's old HP p6674y desktop only to realize its running a intel HD 4200 card, which is nowhere near what I need for gaming and video editing. I've decided to try to upgrade this (thus requiring an upgrade from the 250W power supply ) to hold me over for about a year until I buy a new laptop for college. I want something good, but not overkill. My price range is probably 200-250 for the package.

My biggest question, however, is about the space I will need to upgrade. I've found many dimensions of various cards online but I can't find any articles about how much room I need AROUND the card or power supply to prevent overheating issues. If anyone can give me some insight into this I would be very grateful. Maybe overheating isn't an issue, and if it fits it fits, but I figured I'd get some community input before I risk frying my system. Thanks.

On a side note, does anyone have recommendations for a good card and power supply? I was thinking the r7 265 or the 750TI maybe.
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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as long as there 2-3 inches of air space between the cards you should be fine. if you go with a good 500w unit from evga or cosair and the 750ti you be fine. most of the newer power supply run cool and have thermal sensor now that ramp the fan on the power supply when needed. most heat issues in small cases are lack of fans or grills on top of case to let hot air out. newer gpu run a lot cooler then the one that in the case now. most new hardware made to throttle down when lightly used like web browsing. also the new maxwell cards made to use less power then there older 700 line.
 
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Khalarag

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Apr 30, 2014
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Hmm ok. Thanks the quick response. Just a couple questions tho. I'm going to measure the amount of space I have later tonight to be sure, but off of memory I didn't have very much room to fit most cards. (I assume when I replace the power supply, it will be the same dimensions) but just out of curiosity can you recommend any good small cards? I noticed some of the 750TI cards have different dimensions than others. Is that because of the different fans?
 
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smorizio

smorizio

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Jan 22, 2010
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with gpu the first issue is there length. in a case measure from the back of the case where the old card is to the hard drive bay. most cards now are 9 or 10.1 inches in length. you dont want the card to long and hit the hard drive bay.
the other height is the height of the card itself. there full height cards and low profile cards. if your hp is a standard case then a standard height card will fit. if it using a low height card then buy a low height card.
http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2014/02/nvidia-geforce-gtx-750-ti-review/gtx750ti-1b.jpg
full height stock 750ti card.
http://i0.wp.com/extremespec.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/KFA2-GTX-750-750Ti-OC-02.jpg?resize=416%2C317
low profile card.
 
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Khalarag

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Apr 30, 2014
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Ok so I opened up the case, and found that a 750ti card can fit in there seemingly with no problems. Im going to need to upgrade my Bestec 250W power supply to a 300W+ but I'm having trouble finding one that will fit. The dimensions are 5.9 x 3.4 x 5.5. From what I've found online many people have given suggestions to others looking for the same dimensions but their suggestions are all too big to fit in my case. I have virtually no room to get anything larger than what is already in there. Any suggestions for a small power supply unit that might fit? 300W+ and preferably gold certified but if i don't have room to be picky then I won't be.
 
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