Need help on selecting small graphics card

[MrNintend0]

Hey guys, I'm deciding that I'm going to start small for my first mod, but I'm rather stuck... First of all, the case I will be using is the Lian-Li PC-Q07. This will be basically meant as a Small Form Factor PC, I rather like how much performance you can achieve from one of these little guys. Anyways, I'm going to modify it to fit a double-slot graphics card, which leads me to my question if you guys can help out... What is the absolute best graphics card that can fit in this case, without having to cut a hole in the front for the length of the card?

The graphics card MUST be less than 8 inches long (the outside length of the case is 8.3 inches)

I have been looking at the new Radeon HD 5000 series, but the best one I can find that will fit is the HD 5750...

By the way, the 5750 has more performance than a Geforce GTS250, this is one reason why I'm looking at it.

I will be installing a simple water cooling system too, so it doesn't matter if it heats up fast or not.

Really I'm asking if this is a good graphics card, if you know of any better, let me know please.

[NightrainSrt4]

The 5750 should be a decent card. You probably aren't going to get a huge performance jump over that card in one that size.

But, I haven't looked it up, but the 5750's I've looked at all have the 6 pin connector on the front end of the card (toward the front of the case). Did you take that into account when you sourced your dimensions?

[x88x]

Yeah, I think the 5750 is as high as you'll be able to get in that case. As Nightrain said, though, the 5750 is a very capable card. Looking at pictures of some 5750s, I thinkthe power connector should fit just fine. You might have to connect it before you put the card in the case though. Also, it looks like you might have to get creative with the USB headers...might not, but it looks like it might cut it pretty close. Oh, and of course, you're gonna have to modify either the GPU faceplate or the case so, since the case only has a single expansion slot available.

[MrNintend0]

Hmm... okay, thanks for your opinions, I was also looking into the Silverstone Sugo SG06... The only problem is that I would like to be able to fit in an ATX PSU instead of an SFF one. Don't get me wrong, Athena makes a great 550 Watt SFX PSU, but I'd prefer a standard one, because of all the plentiful replacements should something go wrong. Hmm... maybe if I added more space on the right side to make it fit... Then with this case, I would be able to get a 5870 to fit with a simple mod. :D

[x88x]

Keep in mind that if you put a 5870 in the PC-Q07, you'll have almost a 3" bulge on the front. Also, you'll need to do something about the airflow, since that massive turbine on the 5870 will be about 1/2" above the bottom of the case.

[MrNintend0]

x88x, I thank you for your opinions and tips, but what I was talking about was using the Silverstone Sugo SG06, which can support 9 inch long graphics cards without mods. Also, I will not be sticking with stock cooling, I'm going to put in a water cooling system, so I will have no worries on turbine clearance :D

I understand that I won't be able to fit everything in the case (PSU, Cooling system, etc.), but I didn't really intend to anyways.

I'll be drawing up some sketches too... sorry, I can't really get used to Sketchup and other 3d programs, drawing is my best bet, and even I can't do that perfectly. But I do try to keep all my drawings to scale so I am sure everything will fit.

[x88x]

Ah, yeah, you should have a little more space with that case. A 5870 still won't fit in there stock (11" long), but it looks like it should fit inside the curve of the front panel.

Also, it looks like you might actually be able to fit an ATX PSU in there. Since you're watercooling, you need a lot less clearance for the CPU cooler.

For the WC system, it looks like you should be able to fit everything except for the rad(s) inside the case..maybe for for a freestanding one with quick-connect fittings?

I'll definitely be watching this one; I love SFF systems. :D

[MrNintend0]

Well apparently, Silverstone is supposed to be releasing their Sugo SG07 case sometime "soon". Don't know any specific dates or anything, but considering the size of my GPU card, and the fact that I won't be able to start this project anytime soon, I'm thinking I'm going to switch to the SG07 when it's released :)

You can google pictures of it. Apparently it's supposed to be able to support an ATI Radeon HD 5970 with room to spare.

What do you guys think of me switching to this case? Would you prefer this one, or a smaller one like the SG06?

[x88x]

WOW! That SG07 looks sweeet! If you're wanting to go with a high end GPU in a tiny case, that looks like it'll be worth waiting for. It looks like there'll be even less space to work in a watercooling loop though..