Possible to fit two cards in adjacent slots?

[Elusid]

So I've been searching around for a while for the answer for this but never found it. Is it possible to put full cover water blocks on a gpu (specifically 5850's) and have them in pci slots that are right next to eachother? Obviously with 5850s I would need to remove the 2nd dvi port since it's in the 2nd bay and trim down the bracket. I swear I've seen it done before on different cards. I found this adapter that looks like it would do what I want if it does intact fit but I can't really tell. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8566/ex-tub-448/Feser_Crossfire_SLI_Multi_Spacing_Fittings.html?tl =g30c101s873#blank

[Utnorris]

This might work:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/aqcoaqforhd5.html

[subtec]

Koolance FC WB (http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=926) + Koolance RAM-35 sliding connector type 1 (http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=624).

I have not confirmed this to work, but based on their published diagrams, it should. Those sliding connectors are meant for their RAM blocks, but it's just a straight through G 1/4 fitting the same as their SLI fittings, so it should work the same way. You'd probably want to ask them to make sure.

[lowfat]

This might work:

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/aqcoaqforhd5.html
These will not work. They are meant for a single, double, or triple spacing. Not zero spacing.

Koolance FC WB (http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=926) + Koolance RAM-35 sliding connector type 1 (http://www.koolance.com/water-cooling/product_info.php?product_id=624).
I have not confirmed this to work, but based on their published diagrams, it should. Those sliding connectors are meant for their RAM blocks, but it's just a straight through G 1/4 fitting the same as their SLI fittings, so it should work the same way. You'd probably want to ask them to make sure.
This should work.

Now saying this, removing a DVI plug just so you can have two cards installed side-by-side isn't something I would recommend.

[Elusid]

These will not work. They are meant for a single, double, or triple spacing. Not zero spacing.

This should work.

Now saying this, removing a DVI plug just so you can have two cards installed side-by-side isn't something I would recommend.

Well seeing as I'm going to try and fit them in a shuttle sx58h7 I don't really have a choice =P I'm trying to find a block that's a little more well known. I was looking at the bitzpower one which is 19mm thick but it has the inlet/outlet on the top which makes me think that it might work. Does anyone know how thick a bitzpower, ek, or hk block would be when it is installed on a 5850? Just the thickness at the block ignoring the dvi ports

[Elusid]

After looking into it a bit more and reconsidering my color scheme I had planned I'm deciding to go with the aquagratiX blocks. They're super thin so I can fit both of my gpu's next to each other, they have a nickel plated version so it will be close to my plans before, and it runs almost exactly to what an MCR60 does temp wise. They are somewhat restrictive though so I was thinking, if I run these in parallel (which now that I think about it I have no choice since the card will be against the side of the case) it should increase flow rates right since the water now has two routes to go. It will even out the pressure right?

[Biffa]

You will need to use the TwinConnect block connector, check my avatar pic, there I have two boards in adjacent slots and two in dual slot mode. (they do make a smaller one)

This was so I could pull the bottom card up away from the PSU yet still fit the connector :)

Actually just checked and the 5850 blocks don't work with the TwinConnect :( they only work with 68/6900 or Fermi cards :(

Perhaps you could use something like the Koolance RAM-35 connectors to link up the blocks.

[Elusid]

Yeah that's what I was going to do which should work. If that doesn't work I'm sure I can come up with something else. As long as I can get the blocks put on and the cards installed I should be able to find a way to connect them :) thanks for all your help guys.

[NaeKuh]

easiest way to do it ive seen, if it doesnt fit naively.

If you dont require the outputs on the second gpu, ie like xfire or sli, then just use a riser, and move the card to a location where u can mount it.

http://img.alibaba.com/img/imagerepos/cn/11/cn110143782/1279530067764_hz-cnmyalibaba-web2_13737.jpg

[ScottALot]

Or spring for two 580 HC2s haha

[Elusid]

Don't tempt me...

No, I'm trying to keep this build somewhat reasonable in price and since I already have one 5850 I'm going to get another one plus blocks. I would rather spend ~$400 opposed to $1400 on my video cards haha. I still want to upgrade the RAM and get either 2.5" or 1.8" depending on what fits... Plus all the other LC stuff... It's going to be expensive enough as it is.

[The_Gunslinger]

Some 5850's such as the ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU/2DIS/1GD5 and ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU/TOP/2DIS/1GD5 do not take up 2 slots on the connector end, so if you fit the relevant EK waterblock then you should have a true single slot solution without having to butcher the card too bad, the only issue i see is that third screw on the back panel, not sure what that bolts too, i will find out shortly though, as i have just bought one of these cards, and intend to run it in single slot configuration.

Here's some images (clickable)

http://uk.asus.com/websites/Global/products/6Kz9jp2PUnDKZf67/d2v0T4kYCim0y6by_500.jpg (http://uk.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=6Kz9jp2PUnDKZf67)

http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/i/m/img_3017_600.jpg (http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/ek-fc5870-asus-v2-nickel.html)

or

http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/i/m/img_3020_600.jpg (http://www.ekwaterblocks.com/shop/ek-fc5870-asus-v2-acetal-nickel.html)



hope that helps :)


EDIT:
Forgot about this thread, but he has some good pictures of these blocks in use on a tripple setup

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=256360

[Elusid]

So then are the EK blocks thin enough to be actually single slot? He has it set up where there's a slot between each card still. Could they be set up so that they are in the slots right next to eachother? If they can then I'm going EK instead of the aquagratiX.

[The_Gunslinger]

Until i get my card and the Asus 5870 v2 Block i can not be 100% sure, but, i'd say from the research i've done there is a very good chance they are, enough for me to take the gamble (because i want that 1x PCIe slot back for something :p)

seriously though, i can not say for sure, but looking at the various images i have, i'd say yes, it is a single slot solution, you could of course ask EK ;)

That setup your referring to might be limited by the motherboard layout .... many boards will not put the 16x/8x sockets next to each other, but separated by a slot as you see there

[The_Gunslinger]

also check this thread ....

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=254088

This is a quote from that thread....


The only reason for choosing the Asus cards is they're (currently) the highest spec ATI card that once stripped of the silly heat-sink become actual single slot cards... thus freeing up the other slots for all sorts of pci and pci-e goodness including, but not limited to, a proper sound card for proper music recording, tv cards, etc etc...