I'm the type of person who always buys for silence, but this year needed a new video card for some games and the Intel 4000 isn't doing it for me. So I looked at various cards that are super quiet, but not fanless because I'm already running a bit hot in my case.
I have a Silverstone GD05. When looking at 550ti cards, I found that the MSI Cyclone 550ti seemed to score really well with both temps and noise. I saw a few posts about fitting an MSI 460ti "Cyclone" in the GD05 just fine (albeit just touching the top of the case) so I bought the 550ti.
What I missed was that the Cyclone II is about an inch taller. Ugh!!
But since I got such a great deal on this card ($50 off $95 on amazon), and I can't return it (it was a used/warehouse item), I'm considering modding the heatsink to fit in my case. Pictures to come soon.
Essentially this the card that would fit fine according to another poster:
http://www.msi.com/product/vga/N460GTX-Cyclone-1GD5-OC.html
This is the one I bought and it doesn't:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1575/1/
The case - Silverstone GD05:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1348/4/
I'm thinking one of two things - shave down or cut the top fins (it feels like it might just be a thick plastic, not metal) or cut a slit in the top of the case...probably won't do the latter.
I have a Silverstone GD05. When looking at 550ti cards, I found that the MSI Cyclone 550ti seemed to score really well with both temps and noise. I saw a few posts about fitting an MSI 460ti "Cyclone" in the GD05 just fine (albeit just touching the top of the case) so I bought the 550ti.
What I missed was that the Cyclone II is about an inch taller. Ugh!!
But since I got such a great deal on this card ($50 off $95 on amazon), and I can't return it (it was a used/warehouse item), I'm considering modding the heatsink to fit in my case. Pictures to come soon.
Essentially this the card that would fit fine according to another poster:
http://www.msi.com/product/vga/N460GTX-Cyclone-1GD5-OC.html
This is the one I bought and it doesn't:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1575/1/
The case - Silverstone GD05:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1348/4/
I'm thinking one of two things - shave down or cut the top fins (it feels like it might just be a thick plastic, not metal) or cut a slit in the top of the case...probably won't do the latter.