With a Dremel and hacksaw I can change the world.

Tinkerhell · Oct 6, 2006, 06:19 PM

Well, ok maybe not the world but by God I can make that 7900GTX fit in a Dell box that was never meant to house a card of that size.
Dell has this huge plastic heatsink cover for the CPU HS. Had to cut that all to heck & back. The HS itself has a bit of an overly large mounting lip on the sink which is entirely overly large itself - that had to get hacked off as well.
As for the back of the box, well, lets just say that there is now one more card slot than was originally designed into the thing.

Needless to say it's incedibly tight in this box, but I think it will work without too much of a problem. Had to pick up some thermal paste and this evening we put it all back together and see how the temps are going to be and if the whole thing is going to work at all.

You guys keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Judas · Oct 6, 2006, 07:28 PM

pictures..... i want to see pictures.. and i dare you to send them to dell as well!

**temeteus82** · Oct 6, 2006, 07:36 PM

yeah we need pictures ASAP!!!

Tinkerhell · Oct 6, 2006, 08:11 PM

ok ok, I wasn't going to but I'll snap some shots once I get home. *sigh* had to do that work thing before I could finish this up. hehe.

Judas · Oct 6, 2006, 09:59 PM

awww..

your fired

Tinkerhell · Oct 7, 2006, 10:11 AM

ok, you guys asked for it so here it is:

In this corner, we have the bantam weight POS ATI card which shipped with the Dell,
in the other corner we have the heavey weight contender which UPS delivered the previous afternoon. It looks ugly right from the start...

Now then to take a look at the available space. Doesn't look too bad with this shot. Anyone notice what's missing though...

That's right, the cpu heat sink. Here it & it's cover are just sitting in the box.

Dell decided to put in this huge plastic "wind tunnel" cover for the CPU HS. Funnels all the air from the fan (which is on the far left) That was my first problem. I couldn't even get the card close to the slot because this thing was so bulky & in the way. So out it comes. Here is the uncut side (I already did some work before I started taking pics...)

Here is what I had to do to it:

But of course that leads to...

Opps. looks like I didn't realise the HS itself had this little mounting bar piece of it that was waaaay longer that needed. And of course when I tried it out it was still in the way of the GPU HS. So.

Now the inside of the box is ready, the above made enough room.
But... The pci express slot was the last one in the row of card slots and the Nvidia card "mounting bracket" requires the space of two cards. Is this an issue?

Not really, that bit was easy enough to cut open. I won't be able to use the neat little "flip lock" duhicky that Dell decided to use as a "lock the cards in place" alternative to a simple screw. WTF? I'm really heartbroken over this... Not!

So now the card fits. Wahooo! But wait take a look. Notice another issue?

This monster card has a vent for the gpu hs that needs some space to blow out the back. Damnit. I thought I was done. Fine.

Now we are set. HA! Take that Dell you evil "don't upgrade our stuff" wankers!!

The only thing I am a little worried about is:

http://mgh4.com/images/nonhash/card%20&%20hs.jpg

See how close the back side of the card is to the edge of the cpu HS? So for this doesn't seems a problem according to the Nvidia control panel the card isn't going over 55. Not bad considering the tight space. The gpu hs also has a nice hard plastic cover over the whole thing so I'm hoping that some good heat resistant stuff. I guess time will tell. I'm not planning on OC'ing at this point so maybe it won't be a problem.

If you liked give me some love (rep) posting all this was a pain.

Tinkerhell · Oct 7, 2006, 10:22 AM

Now I do have a question for you guys. What's a good, easy way to check the cpu temp? When I re-mounted the CPU HS I had to use some thermal paste that I think wasn't as fresh as it could have been. I want to make sure my CPU isn't getting too hot.

Oh, I thought this was kinda good to. Prior to this upgrade my 3dmark06 scores were as follows:

3dmark: 348
SM2: 161
hdr: - NA-
cpu: 969

after the new card:
3d mark: 4701
sm2: 2172
hdr: 2332
cpu: 971

From looking at the other scores on the appropriate thread I think that's not too bad.

Satans Arse · Oct 7, 2006, 11:03 PM

Motherboard monitor for your CPU temps. http://mbm.livewiredev.com/

Tinkerhell · Oct 8, 2006, 01:18 AM

thanks!

CDsDontBurn · Oct 8, 2006, 03:09 AM

lol. damn nice there tinkerhell

. and like judas said, email dell w/pix of your rig and tell them to shove it

gettin' yer good rep points fer sher

.

Geminiwave · Oct 10, 2006, 12:42 AM

I'm adding rep points too.

danngg nice!

Tinkerhell · Oct 10, 2006, 02:23 PM

Thanks for the points guys. Now I know how to get mad rep - rip up pc's and post em here.

So far so good too, I don't seem to have any cooling issue that I can tell - the dell board apparently doesn't have any sensors on it so I can't easily monitor (MBM couldn't find any at least) but I've been playing titan quest (not as good as I had hoped but I enjoyed diablo II and it's the same thing only different so...) for a couple days for hours at a time & no issues.

Lowfat · Oct 20, 2006, 08:44 AM

wow. I sure never had that much trouble fitting a 7900GTO in my GF's dell. Although her's isn't a horrible BTX motherboard.

INSTG8R · Oct 20, 2006, 01:51 PM

I dunno I would have just bought another case and a heatsink. But I do truly applaud your efforts I have clipped a few fins off NB coolers to make a GPU heatpipe fit but nothing that extreme.

Zelig · Oct 20, 2006, 01:54 PM

I'm impressed, modding that actually has a real point.

Oct 6, 2006, 06:19 PM	#1
Tinkerhell Not all fairies are nice. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 44	With a Dremel and hacksaw I can change the world. Well, ok maybe not the world but by God I can make that 7900GTX fit in a Dell box that was never meant to house a card of that size. Dell has this huge plastic heatsink cover for the CPU HS. Had to cut that all to heck & back. The HS itself has a bit of an overly large mounting lip on the sink which is entirely overly large itself - that had to get hacked off as well. As for the back of the box, well, lets just say that there is now one more card slot than was originally designed into the thing. Needless to say it's incedibly tight in this box, but I think it will work without too much of a problem. Had to pick up some thermal paste and this evening we put it all back together and see how the temps are going to be and if the whole thing is going to work at all. You guys keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Oct 7, 2006, 10:11 AM	Thread Starter #6
Tinkerhell Not all fairies are nice. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 44	ok, you guys asked for it so here it is: In this corner, we have the bantam weight POS ATI card which shipped with the Dell, in the other corner we have the heavey weight contender which UPS delivered the previous afternoon. It looks ugly right from the start... Now then to take a look at the available space. Doesn't look too bad with this shot. Anyone notice what's missing though... That's right, the cpu heat sink. Here it & it's cover are just sitting in the box. Dell decided to put in this huge plastic "wind tunnel" cover for the CPU HS. Funnels all the air from the fan (which is on the far left) That was my first problem. I couldn't even get the card close to the slot because this thing was so bulky & in the way. So out it comes. Here is the uncut side (I already did some work before I started taking pics...) Here is what I had to do to it: But of course that leads to... Opps. looks like I didn't realise the HS itself had this little mounting bar piece of it that was waaaay longer that needed. And of course when I tried it out it was still in the way of the GPU HS. So. Now the inside of the box is ready, the above made enough room. But... The pci express slot was the last one in the row of card slots and the Nvidia card "mounting bracket" requires the space of two cards. Is this an issue? Not really, that bit was easy enough to cut open. I won't be able to use the neat little "flip lock" duhicky that Dell decided to use as a "lock the cards in place" alternative to a simple screw. WTF? I'm really heartbroken over this... Not! So now the card fits. Wahooo! But wait take a look. Notice another issue? This monster card has a vent for the gpu hs that needs some space to blow out the back. Damnit. I thought I was done. Fine. Now we are set. HA! Take that Dell you evil "don't upgrade our stuff" wankers!! The only thing I am a little worried about is: http://mgh4.com/images/nonhash/card%20&%20hs.jpg See how close the back side of the card is to the edge of the cpu HS? So for this doesn't seems a problem according to the Nvidia control panel the card isn't going over 55. Not bad considering the tight space. The gpu hs also has a nice hard plastic cover over the whole thing so I'm hoping that some good heat resistant stuff. I guess time will tell. I'm not planning on OC'ing at this point so maybe it won't be a problem. If you liked give me some love (rep) posting all this was a pain. Last edited by Tinkerhell; Oct 7, 2006 at 10:17 AM.

Oct 7, 2006, 11:03 PM	#8
Satans Arse Dreams Of Sleep Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London Posts: 159 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Motherboard monitor for your CPU temps. http://mbm.livewiredev.com/ __________________ I'm like a child genius, trapped inside the body of an idiot.

Oct 8, 2006, 03:09 AM	#10
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,795 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	lol. damn nice there tinkerhell . and like judas said, email dell w/pix of your rig and tell them to shove it gettin' yer good rep points fer sher . __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Oct 10, 2006, 12:42 AM	#11
Geminiwave I Have lovely Breasts Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the closet... Posts: 5,395 Rep Power: 64	I'm adding rep points too. danngg nice! __________________

Oct 6, 2006, 08:11 PM	Thread Starter #4
Tinkerhell Not all fairies are nice. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 44	ok ok, I wasn't going to but I'll snap some shots once I get home. sigh had to do that work thing before I could finish this up. hehe.

Oct 7, 2006, 10:22 AM	Thread Starter #7
Tinkerhell Not all fairies are nice. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 44	Now I do have a question for you guys. What's a good, easy way to check the cpu temp? When I re-mounted the CPU HS I had to use some thermal paste that I think wasn't as fresh as it could have been. I want to make sure my CPU isn't getting too hot. Oh, I thought this was kinda good to. Prior to this upgrade my 3dmark06 scores were as follows: 3dmark: 348 SM2: 161 hdr: - NA- cpu: 969 after the new card: 3d mark: 4701 sm2: 2172 hdr: 2332 cpu: 971 From looking at the other scores on the appropriate thread I think that's not too bad.

Oct 8, 2006, 01:18 AM	Thread Starter #9
Tinkerhell Not all fairies are nice. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 44	thanks!

Oct 10, 2006, 02:23 PM	Thread Starter #12
Tinkerhell Not all fairies are nice. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 989 Rep Power: 44	Thanks for the points guys. Now I know how to get mad rep - rip up pc's and post em here. So far so good too, I don't seem to have any cooling issue that I can tell - the dell board apparently doesn't have any sensors on it so I can't easily monitor (MBM couldn't find any at least) but I've been playing titan quest (not as good as I had hoped but I enjoyed diablo II and it's the same thing only different so...) for a couple days for hours at a time & no issues.

Oct 20, 2006, 08:44 AM	#13
Lowfat Xtreme Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Can Posts: 4,254 Rep Power: 101	wow. I sure never had that much trouble fitting a 7900GTO in my GF's dell. Although her's isn't a horrible BTX motherboard.

Oct 20, 2006, 01:51 PM	#14
INSTG8R DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canadian lost in Norway Posts: 527 Rep Power: 0	I dunno I would have just bought another case and a heatsink. But I do truly applaud your efforts I have clipped a few fins off NB coolers to make a GPU heatpipe fit but nothing that extreme. __________________ Sys. Specs. Intel E6600@3.2\|Abit IP35 Pro\|2x1024 Crucial Ballistix PC8500 \|Sapphire HD4870 512\|Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500G SATAII 16MB w/PRT\|SB X-Fi Fatality\|TT Tough Power 1200W\|TT Kandalf L.C.S.\|Samsung 204B 20" 5ms LCD\|Logitech G25\|Logitech G5\|Logitech G15\|Saitek X-52+Pro Rudder Pedals\|TrackIR w/Trackclip Pro 3DMark06

Oct 20, 2006, 01:54 PM	#15
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	I'm impressed, modding that actually has a real point. __________________ --