How to use a PCIe riser cable between motherboard and GPU?

[mbk34]

My system is an AMD 7600 CPU, 16GB RAM, an MSI PRO A620M-E motherboard and a 6650 XT GPU.

My issue is that, because of the motherboard layout, my GPU cooling fans are directly above the output fans of the PSU and this area is also where all the wires for the motherboard connect which makes airflow a real issue. It's fine if I keep the GPU on low power mode.

My question is whether I should use a PCIe 4.0 riser cable to give the GPU (and PSU) more airflow? there is space within the case but no obvious way to attach the GPU within the case. Any ideas on how to attach a GPU if it's not in the standard PCIe socket? I found an affordable riser cable but it's about 20cm long which is way more than I need but other cables cost a lot more. Are there any other solutions other than this or getting a better designed motherboard?

Any thoughts?

 

[The_Arbiter]

Get a new case if you haven't got the side mount. Many people run similar to what you describe without issue. Are temps running that high, you've not given numbers?
Cables generally don't effect air flow that much if that's your biggest worry. Have you got a bottom incoming fan?
You could try increasing RPM on your lowest front fan to give the GPU some more air if no bottom case fan.

 

[mbk34]

My temps are currently at 50C but I presume that's because I have some low power mode on. I do seem to remember doing this but can't find the setting in AMD Adrenaline at the moment. I bought 3 115mm fans to go in the front of my case (a
IONZ KZ-30 Silent PC Computer Office Case). It's a silent design so air flow isn't a priority. I'm not keen on buying a new case - I'd probably prefer to just lose FPS. If there was a cheap solution then I might go for it. I guess there isn't a PCIe connector that just raises the GPU to the next slot in the case and give me a bit more air movement.

Obviously I have to try and work out how to get the full performance from the GPU but I turned it down due to noise. I think the GPU fans were on full speed because they couldn't move the air but I'm just guessing.

Thanks you for replying!

 

[Tetras]

Any ideas on how to attach a GPU if it's not in the standard PCIe socket? I found an affordable riser cable but it's about 20cm long which is way more than I need but other cables cost a lot more. Are there any other solutions other than this or getting a better designed motherboard?

I guess there isn't a PCIe connector that just raises the GPU to the next slot in the case and give me a bit more air movement.

Cases which horizontally mount the graphics card using a riser, tend to turn the bracket itself. You can see that if you look at the Phanteks vertical gpu bracket kit on OCUK.

In terms of: can you just drop the card down a slot, yes, with a riser you can do that, but keep in mind clearance under the PCI-E connector and that it won't short out on the case. I probably wouldn't recommend doing that unless the "fake slot" dropped below the board itself, just because you'd need to clear the components on the motherboard that are under your new slot. If you literally just used a ribbon then the other problem is your graphics card would not be anchored to anything and would just flop around in the slot like a plastic fish.

I'd probably prefer to just lose FPS.

Obviously I have to try and work out how to get the full performance from the GPU but I turned it down due to noise. I think the GPU fans were on full speed because they couldn't move the air but I'm just guessing.

You could try dropping the clocks down to the RX 6600, you're really looking at achieving the optimal efficiency curve.

E.g. if you look at the comments in this review, you'll see what I'm saying (this card does have a factory overclock though, to be fair):

Power consumption of the RX 6650 XT is a good deal higher than the RX 6600 XT, and for surprisingly small performance gains. The MSI Gaming X consumes 190 W during gaming, and the RX 6600 XT only 160 W—a 19% increase for 5% extra performance. In terms of efficiency, this means the card loses 15% and moves from a top efficiency spot into the middle of our test group. A big deal for enthusiasts is that AMD has locked power limit adjustments completely. The power limit slider range goes from -10% to 0%, a spit in the face of overclockers.

MSI Radeon RX 6650 XT Gaming X Review

With the Radeon RX 6650 XT priced at a competitive MSRP of $400, AMD is offering a new contender for the 1080p Value King title. Thanks to an improved 18 Gbps memory subsystem, the RX 6650 XT can extend its performance lead over the NVIDIA RTX 3060.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[freddie64]

My issue is that, because of the motherboard layout, my GPU cooling fans are directly above the output fans of the PSU and this area is also where all the wires for the motherboard connect which makes airflow a real issue.

What PSU?
Fan should be intake and you could mount the PSU with the fan facing the bottom of the case as there is a vent for it.

I bought 3 115mm fans to go in the front of my case

You only have side vents on the front of the case but those fans should help a lot.

 

[pastymuncher]

Is this your case? If so then your psu should be fitted with the fan facing down and drawing cool air from outside the case. Just about all psu's have the fan sucking air in through the fan and exhaust out of the honeycomb mesh where the power switch normally is. Dont use the psu to exhaust hot air inside the case, especially with cheaper psu's. Psu's are rated for efficiency at certain temperatures with most decent psu's rated at 50 degrees C. However, lower quality psu's are rated at 40 degrees C and the cheapest at 30 degrees C so once the temps inside the psu exceeds those levels they typically become less efficient and could even have their life shortend if these temps are exceeded for a long time. Also a hotter psu will ramp the fan up leading to a noisy pc.

 

[Drumroll]

Any solution pretty much would cost as much as a new case.
A riser cable may not even help that much.
Montech AIR 903 at £50 is a good start.
Regarding silent case, a good airflow case, will allow fans at lower rpm, which will possibly make for a quieter system.