GPU Clearance

[Rob_dog]

Hi LTT forum members,

 

I am working on a new build for myself and I found a Strix RTX 3070 (318.5mm length) and I was wondering if it would fit in my case given my current condition. I have a 4000D Airflow and I have an NZXT Kraken X73 cooler mounted in the front along with 3 Corsair LL120 fans in the front for intake. The GPU is 318.5mm long, and I don't know whether it would fit. Would it be worth paying $160 extra for an O11 + extra fans to get a guaranteed fit?

 

Also I have been seeing people use a vertical GPU mount, and I think it's really cool-looking. Would it be worth sacrificing 2-3ºC worth of temps to make it look cool, or is horizontal just fine? Also what about PCIe Gen3 vs Gen4 riser cables, would they make a difference in performance if I decide to go vertical GPU? (If you want to know which mount I am going for, I may get the Cablemod Vertical GPU mount).

 

Thanks for the help!

 

[SorryBella]

3 minutes ago, Rob_dog said:

The GPU is 318.5mm long, and I don't know whether it would fit.

Max length listed on corsair's site is 360mm, itll fit easily and you can top mount an x73 AIO instead of front mounting it.

[Rob_dog]

2 minutes ago, SorryClaire said:

Max length listed on corsair's site is 360mm, itll fit easily and you can top mount an x73 AIO instead of front mounting it.

If I go with a Corsair case, I may go with the 4000D Airflow, and the 4000D Airflow does not support top-mounted 360mm AIOs, only front-mounted. In this case what should I do?

[RONOTHAN##]

Case makers usually underestimate the maximum GPU length, so if it says the max length it lists is 360mm, it can probably fit a 380mm GPU without cutting stuff. taking into account the 50mm of thickness from the rad and fans, you've got an extra centimeter of space. Granted, it'll be tight, but it should work. If you're unsure, it sounds like you have the case, so you can just grab a tape measure and check before the GPU arrives. 

 

As for the vertical GPU bracket, I have never thought the looks were worth losing added expansion slots or the worse thermals, so you might as well just save you're money and stick with horizontal.

[Rob_dog]

Just now, RONOTHAN## said:

Case makers usually underestimate the maximum GPU length, so if it says the max length it lists is 360mm, it can probably fit a 380mm GPU without cutting stuff. taking into account the 50mm of thickness from the rad and fans, you've got an extra centimeter of space. Granted, it'll be tight, but it should work. If you're unsure, it sounds like you have the case, so you can just grab a tape measure and check before the GPU arrives. 

 

As for the vertical GPU bracket, I have never thought the looks were worth losing added expansion slots or the worse thermals, so you might as well just save you're money and stick with horizontal.

Actually I do not have the case... I do not know whether it's worth paying extra for an O11 + fans.

[RONOTHAN##]

1 minute ago, Rob_dog said:

Actually I do not have the case... I do not know whether it's worth paying extra for an O11 + fans.

I wouldn't go for the O11 Dynamic unless you're planning on doing a full custom loop. Something like a P400a or P500a would be good cases to look at, as they are pretty cheap and would support the size of that card, as well as being dead simple to build in.

[Rob_dog]

5 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

I wouldn't go for the O11 Dynamic unless you're planning on doing a full custom loop. Something like a P400a or P500a would be good cases to look at, as they are pretty cheap and would support the size of that card, as well as being dead simple to build in.

Honestly I am not a fan of Phanteks cases... they're just not my type... do you think my card will fit in a 4000D Airflow with a radiator + AIO?

[RONOTHAN##]

13 minutes ago, Rob_dog said:

Honestly I am not a fan of Phanteks cases... they're just not my type... do you think my card will fit in a 4000D Airflow with a radiator + AIO?

Yeah, people on other forums are talking about similar configs with the cards fitting with a couple cm to spare. I'd be more surprised if it didn't fit.

[Rob_dog]

11 hours ago, RONOTHAN## said:

Case makers usually underestimate the maximum GPU length, so if it says the max length it lists is 360mm, it can probably fit a 380mm GPU without cutting stuff. taking into account the 50mm of thickness from the rad and fans, you've got an extra centimeter of space. Granted, it'll be tight, but it should work. If you're unsure, it sounds like you have the case, so you can just grab a tape measure and check before the GPU arrives. 

 

As for the vertical GPU bracket, I have never thought the looks were worth losing added expansion slots or the worse thermals, so you might as well just save you're money and stick with horizontal.

Also, I found that the radiator is 27mm thick and the fans are 25mm thick. I lose 27mm of space because the 360mm factors front fans but no radiator, so I have 333mm space for my GPU.