GA-P55A-UD4P (rev2.0) MB & GV-NX86T512H Video - Can I install to 8x slot only?

[Peteruk]

There is a fitting on the CPU side of the VC that clashes with the heatsink on the Northbridge.

I don't see how this card could clashes with the heatsink on the Northbridge (its not a Northbridge really) looking at pic from newegg of your card.
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/14-125-083-09.jpg
http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/14-125-083-07.jpg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=14-125-083-09.jpg&Image=14-125-083-06.jpg%2c14-125-083-07.jpg%2c14-125-083-08.jpg%2c14-125-083-09.jpg%2c14-125-083-10.jpg%2c14-125-083-02.jpg%2c14-125-083-03.jpg%2c14-125-083-04.jpg%2c14-125-083-05.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16814125083&Depa=0&Description=GIGABYTE%20GV-NX86T512H%20GeForce%208600%20GT%20512MB%20128-bit%20GDDR2%20PCI%20Express%20x16%20HDCP%20Ready%20SLI%20Support%20Video%20Card

Put it in the first slot without powering on and take a pic.

[Dark Mantis]

No Peter this is what I couldn't understand. Even my 4890 card which has a heatsink on the back still clears the northbridge.

[Peteruk]

No Peter this is what I couldn't understand. Even my 4890 card which has a heatsink on the back still clears the northbridge.

Your board is different the P55 UD4/UD4P has about 7mm from the card edge (not from slot edge) so I can't see how the OP cards heatsink panel stick out more then 7mm.  

[Dark Mantis]

The heatsink on my card is a good 10 mm and even allowing for the different board there is still plenty of room.

[brinkerz]

No Peter this is what I couldn't understand. Even my 4890 card which has a heatsink on the back still clears the northbridge.

Your board is different the P55 UD4/UD4P has about 7mm from the card edge (not from slot edge) so I can't see how the OP cards heatsink panel stick out more then 7mm.  

Hi all,

As above, from card edge of the 16x slot to the Northbridge heatsink on the MB by my eye is 6mm.
From card edge of the VC 'to the Northbridge heatsink' is by my eye around 8 / 8.5mm.

The links to the VC images are correct and as can be seen there are four screws that secure the VC heatsink from the back - these screw heads are somewhat proud (yes secured fully) and it is this that fouls the fitting to the 16x slot. If the screws finished flush with the top of the plastic fitting plate it may well fit but this is not the case.

This 6mm distance strikes me as insanely close and must surely limit my VC options, to which your suggestions would be appreciated.

[Peteruk]

Like I said put it in the first slot without powering on and take a pic.

[brinkerz]

Like I said put it in the first slot without powering on and take a pic.

You'll have to excuse me ... one of us is missing something here - The card won't seat fully into the 16x slot as explained, measurements have been provided, the problem on the card has been explained - what's the purpose of supplying a photo of a card that won't seat into the slot properly? What are we out to demonstrate? 

[brinkerz]

Ref the noise from the VC - on the Newegg images in the link previously provided, you can see where the 2 capacitors are on the heatsink side of the VC, to the left of them is a little black square electronic part(?) - I believe the noise to be coming from this part.

I've updated with fresh VC drivers, taken out all usb with the exception of the mouse and have tried both wired and wireless mouse on all usb ports and the issue remains. Perhaps learn to live with it? Perhaps no point RMA'ing the card as I'd only have to get another one to use in the interim! And that in turn would likely have me finding a VC to fit the 16x slot anyway.

[Dark Mantis]

Ref the noise from the VC - on the Newegg images in the link previously provided, you can see where the 2 capacitors are on the heatsink side of the VC, to the left of them is a little black square electronic part(?) - I believe the noise to be coming from this part.

The component you are referring to is a coil so I expect it is coil whine you can hear. It is probably just a faulty component but coud be caused by something else in the circuit. Obviously it is your decision whether to RMA it or just live with the noise.

[brinkerz]

... could be caused by something else in the circuit.

Just for learnings sake, could you give me an example if possible?

[Dark Mantis]

I really don't know the cicuits on htew GPU well enough to give you a breakdown I am afraid but whatever the coil is connected to might well be causing it to resonate at a higher frequency than it was designed for or maybe the coil just wasn't made to spec.

[brinkerz]

In closing, Thanks to everyone for their contribution on this.

Cheers,
Brinkerz

[Dark Mantis]

You are welcome, just a shame in this instance we couldn't do more.