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Adding expansion slot to case to accomodate GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 sli/cf

muffe

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I got the Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 micro ATX motherboard only to find out that to crossfire/sli you need to put the cards in the top most and bottom most pcie slots.  Well the board has 4 slots and fits in 4 slot computer cases but the video cards these days are almost all double slot.  IE you need a 5 expansion slot minimum case to run this board with two video cards.

Battleplan:  
1)  Raise up the motherboard  higher in the case
2)  Cut another expansion slot in the case above the original 4.
3)  Extend the I/O shield cutout in the case.

Marked up



[SIZE="4"]Nip the tip[/SIZE]



Final product



Not using standoffs so zip tie motherboard to tray


I put a piece of cardboard between the mb and mb-tray


Function over fashion.  It works!  I could zip tie better so mb is straight and level, but for now is sufficient.  ;)
« Last Edit: August 30, 2011, 09:47:12 am by muffe »

Dark Mantis

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Re: Adding expansion slot to case to accomodate GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 sli/cf
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2011, 10:38:46 am »
Hi

Well what to say ? A bit dodgy to say the least and I can't say I really like the idea of zip ties and cardboard to fix the motherboard in position! :o

Does it all work is the first question I suppose ?
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy

muffe

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Re: Adding expansion slot to case to accomodate GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 sli/cf
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2011, 12:43:22 am »
 ;) Everything went better than expected.  I took the zip ties out and used a couple screws,  A desktop just sits sessile on top of a desk.  I wouldn't ship it to someone in that condition.  It's perfect now.  Dodgy is my middle name.   ;)  Thanks for the help before with proper SLI/crossfire orientation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuPAqZJA8Y0

Cheers,
Steve

Dark Mantis

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Re: Adding expansion slot to case to accomodate GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 sli/cf
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2011, 07:34:40 am »
No problem Steve and I am glad that it is all working for you. You could always think of changing your middle name you know! ;)

Nothing quite like attacking the chassis with a chainsaw to start the day off right :o

Actually I just watched your video and that is a nice setup you have there now. Very tidy build as well, nice to see good cable management. ;)
« Last Edit: September 01, 2011, 07:38:24 am by Dark Mantis »
Gigabyte X58A-UD7
i7 920
Dominators 1600 x6 12GB
6970 2GB
HX850
256GB SSD, Sam 1TB, WDB320GB
Blu-Ray
HAF 932

Gigabyte Z68X-UD5-B3
i7 3770K
Vengeance 1600 16GB
6950 2GB
HCP1200W
Revo Drive x2, 1.5TB WDB RAID0
16x DLRW
StrikeX S7
Full water cooling
3 x 27" Iiy