How much clearance does a graphics card need?

[dirtydog]

I need to install an NIC on my board which only has one free PCI slot, and to do so would put the card right up against the graphics card - presumably that isn't a good idea as it would restrict the airflow and the GPU would overheat or something?

The other option is to buy a PCI-E NIC but they go for silly money so I won't do that unless I have to.

 

[CurlyWhirly]

My sound card is quite close to my graphics card with a gap of only an inch or so but the fan itself isn't obstructed and so I don't think it makes that much difference (unless the fan itself is obstructed)

 

[BeeP]

I try to leave as much room as possible because the gfx card should have some breathing space, I took my sound card out & noticed a good difference in my gfx temps because it didn't have a card pushing it's hot air into the fan. It's not enough to make it crash or anything but if you are already running hot then it might not be that wise.

 

[dirtydog]

This is so tight I think the NIC would be literally touching the graphics card, or maybe 1mm of clearance at the very best.

As an aside, anyone know why PCI NICs are available for £3 new, but PCI-E ones seem to start at £25?!

 

[dirtydog]

Here's a couple of pics to show you how tight it is.

 

[bowza]

Would not be good, as your gfx fan is next to where the card will be

Question what is wrong with onboard nic
also have u looked at usn to ethernet as an option?

Bowza

 

[dirtydog]

Would not be good, as your gfx fan is next to where the card will be

Question what is wrong with onboard nic

Nothing until a few days ago when a lightning strike broke it Along with my router.

also have u looked at usn to ethernet as an option?

Bowza

USB? Can you get USB ethernet then and is it any good?

 

[deshepherd]

This is so tight I think the NIC would be literally touching the graphics card, or maybe 1mm of clearance at the very best.

I had that situation with one of the HIS 4870's that OC currently have right next to a firewire PCI card in the only available PCI slot.

Main issue I noticed was noise due to the airflow problems (fan had virtually no "free" air to pull in as PCI card was right on top of it.

I've removed the firewire card for now as I hardly ever use it + if I need it I'll put it in another PC which wont have the same issues. Noise is much reduced and I think temps (especially load) seem to be down as well.

 

[errata]

add on new ethernet cards these days have tiny tiny pcb's, even if the bracket is full height the card might be only a fracton bigger than the chip, crystal and cpaacitors on it.

One of those next to a graphics card should have no real effect.