Length of Graphics cards

[WingZero30]

Hi guys

I have been thinking about this issue but again apologize if this issue has been posted before. As we all know that latest gen of cards are very long with 5970 being 1 foot long if I remember correctly. I have a non reference 5850 and it is over 10" long aswell. Luckly as I have HAf 922 I still have over 3 inches of space between HDD cage and gfx edge.

So I was wondering if in future we are going to see even longer cards or will there be a limit to how long graphics card can go realistically?

I would love to hear opinions on this matter.

 

[Stromatolites]

I don't think it would be advisable for the size to be increased much more than its at already, it just seems pointless. I think that as the technology advances the more they will be able to cram into a smaller space thus allowing for smaller and more powerful cards.

 

[Reaper652]

I think more are going to go like the Asus Ares 5870x2 and go wider than the standard pci bracket, most cases have at least another inch there to spare.

 

[nsmalley]

I've always wondered why graphics cards don't go wider rather than longer. I know then they would'nt be able to fit into desktop cases but the majority of cases are the tower variety and it's not as though there's enough room in a desktop case anyway.

I'm assuming there must be some standard that says 'thou shalt not make a fat, wide card'

 

[gingergamer]

Remember Moore's Law

 

[bigjimmyauk]

i was thinking the length is usually due to the size of the coolers so it just depends how well they can keep the new 6000 series cool my 2 pence i think the newtop end 6000 series will be the same size as the 5970 any bigger and ATi really need a kicking.

I also hope that all manufactuers start putting the power connectors on the edge of the card rather than the back i have a 5850 in my HAF 932 and with power connectors there is only 1 1/2 inches to spare due to the fact they are on the arse end...

 

[Redmint]

Yep I think (hope) length wise graphics cards have pretty much reached their limit.

 

[mart280]

I think they will get smaller eventually, the GTX 460 looks smaller than a lot of cards but I havent seen one in the flesh yet, or maybe the graphics card will become the same size as a motherboard and take over from the motherboard in that we will plug all of our components into it.......... like integrated graphics..................... I'll get me coat.

 

[Jibber55]

I think they will get smaller eventually, the GTX 460 looks smaller than a lot of cards but I havent seen one in the flesh yet, or maybe the graphics card will become the same size as a motherboard and take over from the motherboard in that we will plug all of our components into it.......... like integrated graphics..................... I'll get me coat.

lol

 

[Nocky24]

I think they will get smaller eventually, the GTX 460 looks smaller than a lot of cards but I havent seen one in the flesh yet, or maybe the graphics card will become the same size as a motherboard and take over from the motherboard in that we will plug all of our components into it.......... like integrated graphics..................... I'll get me coat.

Loll by the way don't Intel have some on-die gpus in some of their cpus though? It's never going to take on standalone gpu at this stage I know, but it's a step in a new direction at least.

 

[arknor]

doesnt bother me my case is 22inch long and the only thing that would block a stupidly long gfx card is a hdd bay i could remove

 

[mart280]

Loll by the way don't Intel have some on-die gpus in some of their cpus though? It's never going to take on standalone gpu at this stage I know, but it's a step in a new direction at least.

Thinking about it maybe the main components will eventually be on one chip, CPU, GPU and memory, although the chip maybe small I cant imagine the size of the cooler and maybe memory and storage space will morph into one entity.

 

[Mr Krugga]

General rule of thumb is "the longer the better". See what femanons say.

The longest single GPU ATI card is 5870 - 10.5". 5970 is a dual GPU card, there'd been some in the past and they will be because of the power and performance high-end user demand. Until the technology changes that is. Graphics cards will have to fit some cases though and that will limit them at all times.