RAM slots block GPU

[kieranswhite]

Hey guys I just bought a MSI z97m g43 motherboard for my 4670k build. After installing the cpu,cooler and ram I have discovered that the bottom RAM clips block me from installing my GPU into the PCI 16x slot. Any ideas or suggestions as to as what I should do and if the only option is a new motherboard, what would you recommended? (Bearing in mind it micro atx)

Cheers. Kieran

[SWAGGA]

Hey guys I just bought a MSI z97m g43 motherboard for my 4670k build. After installing the cpu,cooler and ram I have discovered that the bottom RAM clips block me from installing my GPU into the PCI 16x slot. Any ideas or suggestions as to as what I should do and if the only option is a new motherboard, what would you recommended? (Bearing in mind it micro atx)

Cheers. Kieran

try removing the ram heatsinks

[JoaoPRSousa]

Either cut the clamps or try to get a new motherboard. Return that and get another one

[JoaoPRSousa]

try removing the ram heatsinks

 

That's not the problem.

 

the bottom RAM clips block me from installing my GPU into the PCI 16x slot

[kieranswhite]

try removing the ram heatsinks

Its the RAM clips not the ram itself

[kieranswhite]

Either cut the clamps or try to get a new motherboard. Return that and get another one

What would you do ?

[Tedster]

What would you do ?

I'd swap motherboards if I could.

[NeatSquidYT]

I'd swap motherboards if I could.

^^

Or tell the motherboard manufacturer that their product is defective and try and get a refund

[Ridska]

Ok no offence but ...

 

Think as youre computer like tetris ,

Sure you think that block isnt going to fit , but you dont know it untill you try every single angle possible .

 

So what im trying to say this in a nutshell : take out the parts , asseble them like the game tetris , and eventually you'll get there....

[ApolloX75]

Install the RAM first, clamp it down then install the card. Should do the trick.

 

Unless your card has an absolutely honking cooler. Which would be out of place for a small form system anyways.

[Ertman]

Does your card have a backplate?

If so, you will need a different motherboard or GPU.

If not, then it "should" fit.

Here is a list of supported GPUs.

http://www.msi.com/support/mb/Z97MG43.html#support-vga

[kieranswhite]

Install the RAM first, clamp it down then install the card. Should do the trick.

Unless your card has an absolutely honking cooler. Which would be out of place for a small form system anyways.

Yeah I have a tri-x r9 280x haha. Thanks for all your advice guys, I'll give them all a go and report back in a little while. I might see if I can take off the backplate to make it fit. From looking at other motherboards they all seem to have the same location for PCI slots.

[Megahurt]

With the clips closed, I don't see how a motherboard manufacturer could mess up so bad that it wouldn't fit, unless you have stuff on the back of the video card, like a back plate or heatsinks.

[kieranswhite]

Hey guys. I decided that ghetto was the way forward and I cut the edges of the ram clips with some wire cutters so the GPU slides in now. Hopefully the upgrade from AMD to Intel was worth it thanks for your advice.

[Refreshing Beverage]

Defiantly go for another motherboard (return the current, if you can)

Pretty much any Socket 1150 and Z97 chipset will fit your needs.

I assume you are going to OC your 4670k, otherwise why go with a K, so pick a Z97 board. If you're not going to OC, then pick H97... or Z97, whatever is cheapest.... that covers your needs

[TrailTrackers]

Hey guys. I decided that ghetto was the way forward and I cut the edges of the ram clips with some wire cutters so the GPU slides in now. Hopefully the upgrade from AMD to Intel was worth it thanks for your advice.

 

 

I have been searching around the net for half a day and finally got my answer here. I have a new MSI X99A XPOWER motherboard & 1 ( soon to be 2) new MSI GTX 980Ti Lightning video cards, and I have the same issue as you did. I see a few people never understood your initial question, or perhaps they just didn't take the time to read it carefully and think about it before they shot out an answer that didn't even make sense.

 

FWIW: The ram clips only open on one side on my motherboard, just like kieranswhite's most likely; the end of the ram that is closest to the #1 PCI-E slot is STATIC and DOES NOT OPEN. Also, the non-opening ends of the ram in the 4 slots that are closest to the back of the case hang over too close to the #1 PCI-E slot, and the back-plate of the GPU hits it. So either the static clips need to be cut or the back-plate of the GPU needs to be notched or fully removed to get the GPU in.

 

Just to get the build done, and since I won't have the other GPU until tomorrow afternoon, I simply installed it into the #4 slot instead; it fits there with no problems at all. But to get the other one in I'll probably just do the same thing you did kieranswhite. I assume cutting those off did the trick since you didn't comment further, but could you please give me confirmation that it worked for your build? I'm curious to know. Thanks.