Which Corsair PCIe 4.0 riser / cable for vertical GPU mount in 3500X series case

CTV · Sunday at 18:19

Hi All,

I recently got a new 3500X series case and would like to vertically mount my GPU, which I know the case supports, with the addition purchase of a PCIe riser cable / card which even the manual mentions.

It is however not clear which riser cable / card I need to get. My system is PCIe 4.0, therefore looking at Corsair’s products line, that leaves one of the following options:

1.) Premium PCIe 4.0 x16 Extension Cable, 300mm (CC-9310001-WW)

2.) 2500 Series Vertical GPU Mount Kit - Black (CC-8900706)

3.) 6500 Series Vertical GPU Mount Kit (CC-8900717)

My assumption is that the 1st might be recommended, though in my opinion is too long. Other people on forums suggested a more fitting length of 150-200mm, which both the latter fall into this category, but I do not know if the spacing between the standoff mounts are compatible with my 3500. I understand that if I were to purchase any of the latter two, that I will not make use of the PCIe slot cage (PCIe riser cable / card only).

Can anyone confirm supportability and advise? Thank you in advance.

Kind regards,

CTV

mickyflinn · Sunday at 21:57

Looking at the instructions on that case to vertically mount the GPU all you need is the riser cable and to just rotate the bracket.

Take a look at this thread.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Corsair/comments/1gvp91i/vertical_mounting_gpu_in_corsair_3500x/

CTV · Sunday at 23:49

mickyflinn said:
Looking at the instructions on that case to vertically mount the GPU all you need is the riser cable and to just rotate the bracket.

Thanks for replying. Yeah, I too saw the note in the manual that confirms it to be possible, with one condition https://www.corsair.com/us/en/explorer/diy-builder/cases/3500x-mid-tower-case/ : “…The 3500X also allows GPUs to be mounted vertically by simply rotating the PCI plate and installing a PCIe Riser Card (sold separately)…”

The only challenge is that the manual does not state which PCIe (e.g. 4.0) riser card / cable one should use from Corsair’s own product line.

By the fact that such examples as these where you can see the thought process that has gotten into to trying to maintain compatibility, in the form of slotted holes on the riser card to allow for adjustable width between 2 riser card standoffs - all which suggest no “standard(s)” exist(s):

This is why I am asking what from Corsair themselves can used and while doing so I noticing that theirs in contrast have fixed widht between the standoffs which is alluded to by the holes (no slots) in the riser card for for screws, suggesting Corsair might have one or more internal (not industry) standard(s) because the cards have a fixed width between the standoffs and therefor have screw holes:

Now considering there are two other riser cards / cables are aimed at the conversion of the 2500 or 6500 series to allow vertical GPU mounts, that perhaps these two’s width between the standoffs screw holes from other cases perhaps.

That is just it, I don’t know if I should be looking for in Cosair’s own line, before looking into aftermarket (and adjustable) ones which will likely be inherently “compatible” (by design) to be able to install in many / most cases that have screw holes dedicated to the standoffs for securing the riser card and slot, which will bring crucial support for the GPU (think sagging etc). Just overall it gives confidence in how your card is secured, as it likely wasn’t designed to be oriented vertically, but thank goodness to ingenuity, we can do the previous “impossible” now as “possible” and have approaches to secure and support GPUs safely even though they were never intentionally being designed to be secured vertically.

I realize I am heavily digressing… apologies.

In short summary, I need to know which of the preferably Corsair-branded PCIe 4.0 riser card / cables to be used in my new 3500X case, hopefully with a cable length of less than 200mm (and a sure “no way” for an excessively long 300mm).

In other words, will the riser cards / cables that are included in either of the vertical GPU conversion kit(s), which have a much more manageable 175mm length, but because they are intended for the 2500 or 6500 series cases “only” (supposedly) might not be workable for a 3500X.

I guess the latter is partially true considering each kit comes with a vertical PCIe bracket with PCI slot covers, which of course is case specific and therefore needs to be case specific, BUT - what if we only care about the riser card / cables - will either or work in my 3500X? If so, that would be great because (1) it is Corsair branded which is a preference, (2) is PCIe 4.0 which I want, and (3) importantly is not too excessively long at a manageable 175mm length.

mickyflinn · Monday at 07:29

I think you may be overthinking this , in another thread below it's asked what pcie riser cable is used which is Okinos 150 mm white riser cable.. 200m is just a little too long.

Grab one of each fixed holes and slotted If it doesn't work out you can send it back otherwise I would email Corsair if your still unsure.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Corsair/comments/1gbpq3i/3500x_vertical_gpubuild/

CTV · Monday at 09:15

mickyflinn said:
I think you may be overthinking this , in another thread below it's asked what pcie riser cable is used which is Okinos 150 mm white riser cable.. 200m is just a little too long.

Grab one of each fixed holes and slotted If it doesn't work out you can send it back otherwise I would email Corsair if your still unsure.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Corsair/comments/1gbpq3i/3500x_vertical_gpubuild/

Your’e right, I was realizing this half-way through my first reply to you being as lengthy as it was (is) - overthinking it a bit, apologies.

It would have been nice of course to get better guidance from Corsair, but sure, I can try the one(s) from the 2500 and/or 6500 series and always sent them back if they don’t work.

Thank you

mickyflinn · Monday at 09:49

CTV said:
Your’e right, I was realizing this half-way through my first reply to you being as lengthy as it was (is) - overthinking it a bit, apologies.

It would have been nice of course to get better guidance from Corsair, but sure, I can try the one(s) from the 2500 and/or 6500 series and always sent them back if they don’t work.

Thank you

Your welcome.

Let us know how you get on.

CTV · Monday at 10:53

mickyflinn said:
Your welcome.

Let us know how you get on.

I sent one of the Corsair product managers on Reddit a PM and got this reply:

“Yea, the 300mm is too long in my opinion. The 175mm cable included in either kit will work much better and is able to be screwed in.

It's identical to the existing PCIe 4.0 but at 175mm instead of 300mm, so no issue with standoffs.

This cable falls under another internal team than Cases (my team), so I've got to work with them to get this listed, but we'll likely have something available as a loose part in the next month or so, so you don't have to buy the 2500/6500 bracket kit and chuck the PCIe plate to get a 175mm CORSAIR PCIE riser.”

So it sounds like either riser / cable from the 2500 or 6500 series vertical GPU mount kit would work fine which is good, especially with a shorter and more manageable 175mm cable.

I will try to source one and if I do, I will reply to this thread and advise the outcome (which sounds promising)

CTV · Thursday at 17:56

CTV said:
I sent one of the Corsair product managers on Reddit a PM and got this reply:

“Yea, the 300mm is too long in my opinion. The 175mm cable included in either kit will work much better and is able to be screwed in.

It's identical to the existing PCIe 4.0 but at 175mm instead of 300mm, so no issue with standoffs.

This cable falls under another internal team than Cases (my team), so I've got to work with them to get this listed, but we'll likely have something available as a loose part in the next month or so, so you don't have to buy the 2500/6500 bracket kit and chuck the PCIe plate to get a 175mm CORSAIR PCIE riser.”

So it sounds like either riser / cable from the 2500 or 6500 series vertical GPU mount kit would work fine which is good, especially with a shorter and more manageable 175mm cable.

I will try to source one and if I do, I will reply to this thread and advise the outcome (which sounds promising)

Just received the vertical GPU mount kit for the 2500 (was slightly cheaper). I only ended up using the cable which altogether worked out well