Need a small-ish graphics card that can fit my motherboard

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Deepee

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Hi,

My motherboard I believe is a MSI A55M-E33. My PC has an AMD APU A8-6600K with Radeon HD 8570D graphics. I was looking for a big boost in graphics within my budget of £150, and so I settled on the MSI Nvidia GTX 760. However, it just doesn't fit!

My board has a dual graphics slot of course, but the problem is that the fans of the card are blocked by two SATA cables, and they seem to be the only two I have. (see here: http://postimg.org/image/6bpj452a9/) I do need both slots btw - I had just unplugged one in that photo.

Also, had it been able to fit, my sata cable from the disc drive would not have been able to reach over the top of the card and down to the port. It may also be a snug fit between the fans on the edge of the case once I put that back on.

I'm also not sure where exactly I plug in the cables that come with my graphics card? (see: http://postimg.org/image/60cpyamv1/ - the left pin is for my case fans)

I don't have the knowledge or money to build a gaming PC if my motherboard is not up to scratch (and I only recently bought this PC). I'm hoping that you guys could recommend a card that will give me a big boost over my current Radeon 8570D, but still fit within that space on my board (and hopefully not be too tall either). I have a budget of £150 but it could stretch to £200 if there are no cheaper options. I know that there are mini GPUs designed for mini PC's, but I shouldn't have to resort to those given I have a normal sized case.

Also please keep in mind I have a 500W power supply.

Thanks!

(Perhaps a card like this? http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IGQ4Z3S/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1M5CAFJ4MDF5KJC43VP4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=455344027&pf_rd_i=468294)
 
Solution
SproutSchon


Are you talking about the 8-pins / 6-pins connectors to power the GPU?
You should have those connectors on your PSU (labeled PCI usually).
If you don't it means you need to buy a new unit that provides them.

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Deepee

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OK I guess I will order two of those and give that a try. With regards to my second question, what cable goes into the pins on the graphics card? (normally there are two - one much smaller?) I know they have supplied cables with the card, but I have no idea where that plugs into.

Thanks,

Dan
 
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CGurrell

CGurrell

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Hi DeePee,

as above, a right-angled sata cable and reouting that cable so it goes around the motherboard (so the cable leaves the port on the other side) should mean your 760 fits fine.

A UK link to a cable: http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Right-Angle-Serial-Cable/dp/B0001Y8UCU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1417608714&sr=8-4&keywords=right+angle+sata

There is also a left-angle option on there in case fitting a right-angled would mean the cable going accross the motherboard.

A low profile cable like this one may also work but they are a little pricey over here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverstone-SST-CP11-Ultra-slim-Cable/dp/B00HDEBGSQ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1417608802&sr=8-8&keywords=silverstone+low+profile+sata
 
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Deepee

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Based on my first picture, would I need one right angled and one left angled, so that they go out in opposite directions from each other? (as otherwise one would be blocking the other?)

So the top one would need to go upwards and the second port downwards? Just want to make sure I get the right ones.

Thanks!
 
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SproutSchon

SproutSchon

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Nov 24, 2014
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Are you talking about the 8-pins / 6-pins connectors to power the GPU?
You should have those connectors on your PSU (labeled PCI usually).
If you don't it means you need to buy a new unit that provides them.

 
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Solution
CGurrell

CGurrell

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Which PSU are you currently using? We need all details, including brand name and model. We already know it's a 500W unit but this could be peak power rather than continuous, or the unit may only supply a fraction of this on the 12v rail(s)
 
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Deepee

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SproutSchon, you are right! I took another look inside the case and I don't actually have the PCI connectors. I'm guessing the APU is using one, but that looked like a 4-pin anyway. Unbelievable! I guess I can't complain for the price I paid, but it's a shame I can't upgrade the GPU now without buying another power supply (and motherboard, as mine is ridiculously small and cramped).

Ah well, thanks a lot for your replies. I guess I've learnt more about what to look out for in the future when buying a new PC - avoiding APU's being one.
 
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CGurrell

CGurrell

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Avoiding APUs won't help in any way. Every CPU/APU uses a 4-pin or 8-pin connector. This connector is entirely separate from both the 6-pin and 8-pin PCI-E power connectors. Your problem is your power supply. If your power supply doesn't supply PCI-E power connectors, there's normally a good reason for it. It cannot power a GPU. Your next upgrade should probably be a power supply, and it should be anything 500W or higher, in Tier 2 Class B or higher on this list http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html.

APUs are great chips for the price. Your issue is unrelated to the fact you have an APU.
 
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SproutSchon

SproutSchon

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You should have several cables coming from your PSU.
How many do you have?

Usually you have on big 20/24pins connector that powers the rest of the motherboard (and most of the dependent subsystems) and one 4/8 pins connectors to power the CPU.
Then you have other cables to power specific subsystems:
Peripherals and SATA to power your HDDs, SSDs, optical drive.
Then PCI (8pins) needed for extension cards.
In your case I think the GTX760 uses two 6-pins connectors correct?

Make sure your PSU or the one you are going to buy have these:
http://www.playtool.com/pages/psuconnectors/connectors.html


 
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Deepee

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Ah I see. I thought maybe having both an APU and GPU was causing complications.

I don't have any experience of replacing power supplies and wouldn't know what goes wear with the huge wad of cables, but atleast I know more about their importance now.

Thanks.

 
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CGurrell

CGurrell

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yeah their importance is high, probably the most important part of any system. Out of wonder, which model of PSU do you currently have?
 
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Deepee

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I didn't count the cables (and have put the case back on now), but I'm pretty sure I have all the cables apart from PCI ones to connect a graphic card. The two spare connectors (in the second picture of my OP - with the one cable being for my fans) are the only spare ones I have out of all the cables.

And yes you are right about the two 6-pin connectors.
 
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SproutSchon

SproutSchon

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You should get one of these PSUs in the 45£-50£ range (500W & 550W): http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/be-quiet-power-supply-bn223 or http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9
Don't cheap out on the PSU this is the heart of your PC. Higher quality PSUs give cleaner power and higher efficiency, and have more protections to prevent damaging your components and your PC from catching on fire and burning down your house. Also, cheap PSUs rarely provide their rated power. A 20£ 500W PSU is very likely a 200W PSU with a fancy sticker.
 
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Deepee

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Thanks for the advice. With something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Builder-Series-Modular-Certified/dp/B00ALK3QRS/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1417615364&sr=1-1&keywords=750w+psu it shows all of the additional cables are separate. Are these actually already connected to the PSU when you buy it, as I have no idea how to do it? I think I could manage to connect them up to the drives etc, though do I have to worry about whether it's compatible with my motherboard/case? Keep in mind that I have never replaced a power supply or built a PC. All I have replaced before is GPU, RAM and a disc drive. As nothing is wrong with my PC currently (apart from not being able to upgrade the graphics), I wouldn't want to try replacing the PSU and mess everything up.

Edit: Oh I see there is a fixed cables version of that PSU. That's what I'd be after right?

 
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CGurrell

CGurrell

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What you've posted is a modular PSU. The drive cables all come separate, but simply click in to the PSU similar to how the CPU power connector clips into the motherboard. Once it's plugged into the PSU, you can then plug the SATA or Molex connectors in to wherever they go in the system.

I wouldn't recommend that unit though. This XFX unit is one of the best with great internals, has the same rated wattage output as the corsair, and is cheaper! http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-Edition-Bronze-Semi-Modular-Supply/dp/B008O50WGA/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1417616594&sr=1-1&keywords=xfx+xxx+750 750W is a little overkill for your system though, a good quality 550W unit can power almost any single GPU system.

A quick note on the XFX unit, the PCI-E cables also come separately. These are known as modular power supplies (technicaly semi-modular, as fully modular units come with no cables attached). The idea is that you only use the cables you need, reducing clutter inside the case which looks nice and can aid airflow.
 
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