Can I fit a 9 inch graphics card?

[whooleo]

I wanted to know if I could fit a 9 inch or bigger graphics card in an MSI AM2+ 785gtm-e45 I'm worried that a card that size would hit against the front facing back SATA ports and not fit in. So if anybody has this Motherboard can let me know what card I can fit in there that would be great. I currently have a 6.6 inch graphics card installed.

 

[treefrog07]

Look at the pictures of the video card(s) you are considering - most have "notches" at both ends. The "notch" next to the output jacks allow space for cables like those for connecting on-board sound. The "notch" at the other end of the card is to allow the card to clear SATA ports like those on your board. Also check that a 9"+ card will fit without hitting the HDD cage.

 

[whooleo]

Look at the pictures of the video card(s) you are considering - most have "notches" at both ends. The "notch" next to the output jacks allow space for cables like those for connecting on-board sound. The "notch" at the other end of the card is to allow the card to clear SATA ports like those on your board. Also check that a 9"+ card will fit without hitting the HDD cage.

Are talking about the notches at the bottom of the card next to the PCI Express connector?

 

[geofelt]

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/2336/msi785gtme45.jpgI wanted to know if I could fit a 9 inch or bigger graphics card in an MSI AM2+ 785gtm-e45 I'm worried that a card that size would hit against the front facing back SATA ports and not fit in. So if anybody has this Motherboard can let me know what card I can fit in there that would be great. I currently have a 6.6 inch graphics card installed.

The SATA ports are deliberately oriented that way so that SATA cables that are plugged in will not be impacted by any graphics card, regardless of length. The top of the ports will, at most, be close to the top of the pci-e slot. It can be a tight fit, so you may want to plug in the SATA cables before installing the graphics card.

 

[whooleo]

I'm talking about the actual connector on the motherboard not the cable.

 

[geofelt]

I'm talking about the actual connector on the motherboard not the cable.

Yes, the connector is not that high so that it will interfere with the graphics card. If the connectors were oriented upward, the cable would interfere with the graphics card, necessitating the development and use of right angle cables. By being able to insert the cables sideways, there is no interference. The graphics card will often extend past the boundaries of the motherboard, and impact the drive cage on some cases.

If you look at a side view picture, you will see that none of the components, including the sata ports are higher than the top of the pci-e slots.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=13-130-237-S08&SpinSet=13-130-237-SS&ISList=13-130-237-S01%2c13-130-237-S02%2c13-130-237-S03%2c13-130-237-S04%2c13-130-237-S05%2c13-130-237-S06%2c13-130-237-S07%2c13-130-237-S08%2c13-130-237-S09%2c13-130-237-S10%2c13-130-237-S11&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16813130237&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=MSI%20785GTM-E45%20AM3%2fAM2%2b%2fAM2%20AMD%20785G%20HDMI%20Micro%20ATX%20AMD%20Motherboard

 

[obsolete99]

I have the same motherboard with an HD 5770, which is roughly 9" long. The card does clear the top of the SATA ports.

And as geofelt said, if you need to plug in a SATA cable into a port that the card over hangs, it might be best to do so without the graphics card physically installed.

 

[whooleo]

Thanks sweet!

 

[whooleo]

Best answer selected by whooleo.