HTPC/Gaming build: will the GFX card fit??

chris.hoops78 · 14 Oct 2011 at 12:11

Hi guys and gals,

I'm planning an HTPC/gaming build using the following components:

Antec Fusion Remote HTPC Case - Black
Gigabyte GA-880GM-USB3 AMD 880G (AM3+) DDR3 Motherboard
Phenom II 720 Tri-core CPU
Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 Pro Extreme Performance CPU Cooler
Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel
OCZ Vertex 2 50GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive (OCZSSD2-2VTX50G)
Sony Optiarc AD-5280S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM
HIS ATI Radeon HD 6870 IceQ X PLUS Edition 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

...however, I'm a bit worried the case won't take the GFX card. I know the mobo is microATX so not worried about that, but just not sure if I will be able to get the GFX in.

Antec do an alternative Fusion Remote MAX which is basically a full ATX design on its side which will do the job, but I prefer the more compact form of the Fusion Remote.

Also, do we think cooling would be an issue?

Cheers

chris.hoops78 · 14 Oct 2011 at 12:12

Sorry, just noticed the heatpipes on the above would make it a no no, so would try this instead:

HIS ATI Radeon HD 6870 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

Marine-RX179 · 14 Oct 2011 at 13:08

The items you listed...do you have them already or are just just planning on getting those?

If you don't have the AMD parts already, and is getting a dedicated graphic card for gaming, you'd better off going for a build around the i3 2100, as it is not only lower power consumption (which also means lower temp), but it is faster than the Phenom II X4 at 3.6GHz even on the 4 cores games like BFBC2. Also due to the lower temp, the stock Intel cooler will be perfectly fine for the i3 2100 and you won't even need to invest on a 3rd party CPU cooler.

chris.hoops78 · 14 Oct 2011 at 13:51

I do have the Phenom II - it's currently languishing in my previous, hopelessly mismatched build :O(

mp260767 · 14 Oct 2011 at 15:19

on the reviews in the ocuk shop someone has an old nvidia 8800 in one, but i've seen spec that says should only use a low profile graphics card in it.

have you checked the spec's on the antec site ?

chris.hoops78 · 14 Oct 2011 at 16:31

It looks like full height is ok, provided connectors are not on the top edge of the card. Also, it looks like 6870 is too long to fit and get the cables where they need to go, i.e. i'll whack a 6850 in there instead.