my gtx 970 won't quite fit in my case, please help.

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

Hi guys this is my first post here, I just purchased an MSI gtx 970 and this is the first major upgrade to my computer since I got it almost 2.5years ago now.

I started to try and fit it after all the prior measuring up which led me to belive it would fit but now that I've bought it it doesn't quite seem to.
I would very much appreciate any advice. It seems to be the brackets holding my hard drive that are blocking it ever so slightly.

BadActor · Jan 21, 2016

What model case, motherboard and video card do you have? It may be possible to move the card to another slot or remove the drive cages to gain additional clearance.

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

Thanks for the fast reply.

I have a GA-78LMT-S2P motherboard, my case is a CiT Mars Midi Tower part mesh.
The current video card I'm using is a Zotac gtx 630 and the new one I want to fit is a MSI gtx 970.

Hope this helps

bumnut53 · Jan 21, 2016

I have googled that case and it looks like it should fit. I have had to move hard drives to fit graphics cards, is it possible to do that?

BadActor · Jan 21, 2016

I think your out of luck with that case and card combo. The case is doesn't appear to have removable drive bays for video card clearance.

Dark Lord of Tech · Jan 21, 2016

The hard drive cages aren't removable and it only holds smaller cards.

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

Seriously? Is there not a way for me to put the hard drive just below my disk dive and rip out the bracket that holds the hard drive now?

madmatt30 · Jan 21, 2016

Junior hacksaw & a pair of tin snips mate - cut a chunk out of the drive bay - had to do the same before to fit a full size gpu in a cm elite 342 case.

That or a new case .

^ or yes you can remove the whole bottom bay but its riveted so you'll have to cut the heads off - I'd justvtake a chunk out if it myself - 2 cuts where the GPU lines up & just bend it forwards with a pair of pliers - its thin steel , a $3 hacksaw will hammer through it.

BadActor · Jan 21, 2016

You can modify the case sure, if you're comfortable doing that.

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

OK didn't see blackbirds answer before I posted that, so would it have to be either buy a new case and completely transfer everything over or simply return the 970 and get a smaller series card?

SkyNetRising · Jan 21, 2016

I bet those rivets holding lower drive cage can be drilled through and cage removed.
Of course - if you have tools for that.

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

I'm thinking I could just move the hard drive to the lowest part of bracket then saw a chunk out of the top half, that should give the card enough space to fit

madmatt30 · Jan 21, 2016

^ that's what I suggested mate :-/??

Eximo · Jan 21, 2016

power drill and a 1/8" drill bit is all you need. But metal shavings and computers don't mix. Either way you're taking the hardware out of the case and rebuilding it. A new case or card are the simpler solutions.

Couple of Mini GTX970 out there.

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

Yeah I know, sorry if I sounded like I ignored you but it does sound like it would work so I might just try it and if it doesn't work then I guess I'd need a bigger case anyway

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

Hmm, would the metal shavings be hard to removed to a safe enough level?

DrGreen · Jan 21, 2016

The shavings should just come right out, you aren't welding xD

If you can find a strong enough pair of scissors it may do the trick.

madmatt30 · Jan 21, 2016

Use a hacksaw or tin snips not a dremel or drill which create sparks & filings.
A hacksaw will create virtually no mess.
Obviously remove the hard drive, Lie the case on its side so the internals are facing up & cover the board with a towel.
2 straight cuts an inch & a half long & just bend the cut flap flat - job done.

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

I know we have some saws and a pair of tin snips somewhere in the garage so I'll give it a go with some help later tonight, I love I do it slowly enough then I'll see if it's actually going to work or not and if it starts looking like it's not going to work I'll stop before any real damage is caused, then at least I can just try refund my 970 and try and get one of the mini ones which I legit didn't even know existed until this evening -_- feelsbadman

madmatt30 · Jan 21, 2016

All you need is a 6-8inch hacksaw blade mate - you don't even need the handle - that steel is 2mm thick, I could cut 2 notches in less than 20 seconds honestly.

It will work , just cut it a little bigger than you need & make sure to miss the little hard drive holder plates on the inside of the drive bay which you will not be able to cut through.

& I wouldn't feel bad , the MSI card is plain better than any of the mini ones for the sake of 5 minutes worth of bay butchering ;-)

TayWh1te · Jan 21, 2016

Yeah you're right it probably is better it's just given me a whole afternoon of stress xD

I guess I'll mark this as solved then, thanks very much for the help guys you've really saved my skin here lads, I'll just get my mate who's coming round in a bit to help with the work and see about getting this fitted once and for all.

madmatt30 · Jan 22, 2016

How did you get on with this ??

TayWh1te · Jan 22, 2016

Erm well managed to cut out the space I needed from the hard drive bracket but as I unplugged some wires to make sure they weren't in any danger of being cut I think I must have put them back wrong or something because now my pc won't turn on xD decided I'm just going to take it into a local store to get someone to have a look at it for me

madmatt30 · Jan 22, 2016

Assuming younmean the small wires that go to the front panel socket bottom right of the board ??
You probably just mixed the connectors up - what board is it?

TayWh1te · Jan 22, 2016

GA-78LMT-S2P I'm pretty sure

my gtx 970 won't quite fit in my case, please help.

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