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Graphics Card won't fit into Motherboard

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Matt Lean

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Okay so I bought a GTX 260 and checked if it would fit into my case and if it would be compatible with my motherboard. It met all of the requirements, so I ordered it, and now that it's here I realize that it won't fit into the motherboard.

My motherboard is an ASUS P5N73-AM. Here's a picture of it:
Image


Here are the Newegg photos that can help out too.

Yes, I'm putting it into the PCIe port. The thing is that the PCI1 port is too close to the PCIe port, so the plastic cover (I think it's called a shroud) is hitting against the PCI1 port so it can't go into the PCIe port all the way. I heard that I could try sanding down the GTX 260 where it meets the PCI1 port or cut out the exact area with an x-acto knife or something like that... but to be honest I don't really feel comfortable with sanding/cutting it as I'm not sure what's directly behind the plastic cover where it comes in contact with the PCI1 port. Am I screwed? Or is there an other solution to my problem other than building a totally new computer?

Thanks for reading, and hope I can see a response soon.
 
#2 ·
Do not sand anything!!!

And I just googled your board and it looks like it should fit.
 
#5 ·
I am 90% positive that if you just push the PCB harder into the PCIEx16 slot you will be fine. They sometimes do have a slight bit of insertion force required.

My board has a PCI slot next to a PCIE slot just like you have there and my cards will fit just fine. my cards also have the same exact coolers as yours so there is not difference there either.
 
#7 ·
Newegg link to the mobo I put this up in case any one else has some ideas

But damn, those are spaced super tight. I would remove the plastic casing from the heatsink on the video card. I would then notch the bottom with a dremel to make it fit. Don't try to do anything with it still attached to the card, because like you said, who knows what is behind it. You could score it multiple times to cut it with a razor knife if you dont have a dremel

But i agree with everyone else, this shouldn't be a problem.
 
#10 ·
Board layouts are done to specific specifications (redundant, I know) otherwise the mobo would be completely unusable in every case being manufactured unless the manufacturer made a special case to go with it, which of course makes no sense at all. Side to side should be fine...now overall length is another issue. There have been cards that are too long and interfere with mobo components or connection at the end of the card, but not side to side, at least none that I know of.

I am wondering if when you try to install the card you may have it tipped slightly such that it is not perpendicular to the mobo. This could cause the housing of the card to make contact with the adjoining connector. These cards are built to as much as possible into the small space available for them, so even the slightest misalignment could cause installation headaches.

Looking more closely at the different components I am left wondering if maybe you are making contact instead with the IDE connector on the edge of the board. Does the card extend that far? From the pics of the card it looks as if it might.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by The Master Chief View Post
That cant be right.

You should take some pictures of what your doing. They are designed to not do this. You have to be doing something wrong, no offense.
It's possible that I'm doing something wrong. I've never really worked inside a computer before, but I tried pushing it in and everything and it's not working. I tried to do a lot of research before then but I have no idea why it won't "click" in. It partially goes in, but then if I leave it there it falls out. I'm pretty sure it's the plastic cover on the graphics card... but I'll try again I guess. I'll take pictures this time too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dream Killer View Post
It should fit as long as you have the PCI1 empty.
I haven't added anything in the PCI slots. They're empty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dar_T View Post
I don't think that lower PCI slot is interfering with the card. Possibly the backplate is getting stuck on something?
It might be the backplate... I was worried about that but I'll check again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaMirrorLink View Post
do you possibly have pci slot covers?
Are you talking about those metal slots that blocked the behind slots of my computer tower? I popped them out according to the slots my graphics card would need to fit into.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevingreenbmx View Post
I am 90% positive that if you just push the PCB harder into the PCIEx16 slot you will be fine. They sometimes do have a slight bit of insertion force required.

My board has a PCI slot next to a PCIE slot just like you have there and my cards will fit just fine. my cards also have the same exact coolers as yours so there is not difference there either.
I tried pushing in pretty hard but it wouldn't firmly go in. I was afraid I was going to break it. I'll try pushing it in again though.
 
#13 ·
You sure its the PCI slot blocking it?

Both my old GTX260's had bent PCI brackets at the bottom and wouldn't go into the slot unless I bent it back straight.. Probably not that but worth checking..

EDIT:

If you are unsure what I mean, heres a pic, the part I've marked red, if that is bent the card will not install.
LL
 
#14 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by GeforceGTS View Post
You sure its the PCI slot blocking it?

Both my old GTX260's had bent PCI brackets at the bottom and wouldn't go into the slot unless I bent it back straight.. Probably not that but worth checking..
Def worth checking! I've had that happen a time or two
 
#17 ·
FYI for everyone on this thread, this is very possible.

Some older motherboards were designed without the thought of using a dual-slot graphics card. I am currently helping a member here on OCN, and he could not use a dual-slot graphics card on his older motherboard because the PCI slot rises too high off of the motherboard.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Quote:


Originally Posted by skydeaner
View Post

cool, awaiting pics!
Image


You getting them tonight?

Yup! And thanks for all of the help. I'm really surprised all of the quick responses! Dang you guys are really helpful!
Image
Thanks for replying. Really I don't want this $200 card to collect dust in the back of my room.
Image


Quote:


Originally Posted by GeforceGTS
View Post

You sure its the PCI slot blocking it?

Both my old GTX260's had bent PCI brackets at the bottom and wouldn't go into the slot unless I bent it back straight.. Probably not that but worth checking..

EDIT:

If you are unsure what I mean, heres a pic, the part I've marked red, if that is bent the card will not install.

I'll look into that.

Quote:


Originally Posted by DaMirrorLink
View Post

by pci slot cover i meant something like this

Image


I'm pretty sure there's no PCI slot covers. My motherboard looks basically like the motherboard photos shown on NewEgg.

Quote:


Originally Posted by firestormcomputers
View Post

FYI for everyone on this thread, this is very possible.

Some older motherboards were designed without the thought of using a dual-slot graphics card. I am currently helping a member here on OCN, and he could not use a dual-slot graphics card on his older motherboard because the PCI slot rises too high off of the motherboard.

I really I'm just doing something wrong. But what made me aware of this problem was when I saw this...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4221444AAFgRsK
 
#19 ·
Did you forget to install standoffs between your computer case(motherboard tray) and the actual motherboard? If you didn't use standoffs, your motherboard will likely form a short with the case. It would also prevent you from properly installing your graphics card as GeforceGTS pointed out:

Quote:


Originally Posted by GeforceGTS
View Post

You sure its the PCI slot blocking it?

Both my old GTX260's had bent PCI brackets at the bottom and wouldn't go into the slot unless I bent it back straight.. Probably not that but worth checking..

EDIT:

If you are unsure what I mean, heres a pic, the part I've marked red, if that is bent the card will not install.

 
#20 ·
I'm gonna have to guess. . that your putting it in flipped the wrong way. The cooler and plastic bulk faces down (Positioned inserted into your motherboard while it is screwed in and case is verticle) So yea, PCB ontop. Make sure the gap in the PCIe pins matches the gap on the slot just like you have to do with DIMMs, or obcourse it won't push in completly and your breaking the device if you put too much force on it.
 
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