Solved Is my PSU too close to my GPU fan?

[Twario]

I'm getting a new sound card so I had to move the GPU to the other PCI slot so the sound card wouldn't be right in front of the GPU intake fan. Now I'm worried becuase the PSU is possibly half obstructing the intake fan and preventing it from getting enough air. I know it's not that close but I'm paranoid and I'm not an expert on this kind of thing. So tell me, is my PSU blocking the fan a considerable amount or should I not worry?

 

[logicearth]

The PSU is not even close to blocking any air from the GPU fan. Unlike light, air can move around objects.

 

[PooMan UK]

You should be fine pal, but if you want peace of mind you can always monitor your GPU temperatures through the AMD VISION control centre

 

[Twario]

Whoa, pretty fast replies! Anyways, that's good to hear that it's fine. One more question though, I read that putting the GPU in the bottom PCI slot instead of the top will cause the GPU to run slower is, that true?

 

[logicearth]

It may run on a slower PCI Express slot 8x instead of 16x but in real world reality this makes no difference. Current graphics card do not fully take advantage of PCI Express. On your motherboard the bottom slot runs at 4x.

There is another option. You could put the graphics card back in previous slot and put the sound card into the slot now occupied by your graphics card. You do not need to use a 1x slot for a 1x card you can use any PCI Express slot. This will remove and concern of airflow blockage and speed issues.

 

[Twario]

It may run on a slower PCI Express slot 8x instead of 16x but in real world reality this makes no difference. Current graphics card do not fully take advantage of PCI Express. On your motherboard the bottom slot runs at 4x.

There is another option. You could put the graphics card back in previous slot and put the sound card into the slot now occupied by your graphics card. You do not need to use a 1x slot for a 1x card you can use any PCI Express slot. This will remove and concern of airflow blockage and speed issues.

Actually the GPU was originally in the blue PCI express slot on the right, and it was in the left one when I took those pictures in the OP. After I noticed somewhat poor performance in Far Cry 3, I moved it to where it was before to see if there was a difference, so the GPU is currently in the blue PCI express slot on the right. Now if I put the sound card in the left one that would block the intake fan. Do you mean I should put the sound card in one of the white PCI slots?

Because the sound card I'm getting is this ASUS XONAR_DG Xonar DG Sound Card - Newegg.com and judging from the images it can only fit in on of the blue PCI express slots.

 

[bobkn]

Actually the GPU was originally in the blue PCI express slot on the right, and it was in the left one when I took those pictures in the OP. Currently right now it is in the blue PCI express slot on the right, and if I put the sound card in the left one that would block the intake fan. Do you mean I should put the sound card in one of the white PCI slots?


Because the sound card I'm getting is this ASUS XONAR_DG Xonar DG Sound Card - Newegg.com and judging from the images it can only fit in on of the blue PCI express slots.

The card that you supply the link for is PCI, and it must go in one of the long white PCI slots.

The names are similar, but PCI and PCI-E(xpress) are completely incompatible physically. I'd recommend getting a PCI-E X1 soundcard over a PCI one, because PCI slots are becoming rarer.

 

[Twario]

Well I know I'm getting off topic, but I tested to see if the GPU is faster in the PCI express it was in originally before I took the picture, and the answer is yes. When the GPU was in the other PCI express slot there was some slowdown in Far Cry 3 and the slowdown is not present when the card is in the slot it was in originally. So I guess I'm leaving the card where it is now, so it won't be where it is in the pictures. I also guess the sound card won't block the intake fan if it's in one of the white PCI slots (at least I hope), so I guess I'm good then! Thanks for all the help!

 

[AddRAM]

As Bob mentioned, sound cards do not go in PCI-E x16 slots. Only in a pci-e x1 slot or a pci slot. They are both white on your board. If you only have 1 graphics card you want it in the slot closest to the cpu.

Here`s a darn good x1 slot sound card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E16829102042&gclid=CJes3vnR57UCFYbc4Aod_20AZg

 

[logicearth]

As Bob mentioned, sound cards do not go in PCI-E x16 slots. Only in a x1 slot or a pci slot. They are both white on your board. If you only have 1 graphics card you want it in the slot closet to the cpu.

A PCI Express card can go in any slot 16x 8x 4x 1x. It doesn't matter. As long as it gets the bandwidth it needs. Also putting an 8x card into a 1x card will still work but at reduced bandwidth. A few motherboard have opened back PCI-E 1x slots to allow larger card to be inserted into them.

 

[kbrady1979]

Install and leave the graphics card in the top BLUE slot. Order this sound card, or one similar: Asus Xonar .........................Problems solved

 

[Layback Bear]

I use a different method. I install the cards as per the motherboards instruction manual. It works for me.

 

[kbrady1979]

I use a different method. I install the cards as per the motherboards instruction manual. It works for me.

Lol yeah, that's probably the best way. His manual will probably tell him to install a single GPU in the top PCI Express x16 slot.....which is the top blue slot. As for the sound card, install it in the first slot that is meant for it.