GPU upgrades to previous orders

[SodaO]

It appears that there is RTX 3090 availability if I go to upgrade my build that I bought around 2 years ago. The thing is, I have a Fractal Meshify C and the max card length is 315mm. The Palit, Asus TUF, eVGA FTW and MSI Ventus will all fit but the Gigabyte, Zotac and others won't.

So, how do I know if the card I order will actually fit? I spent over 2 hours on Thursday to talk to sales and got told that they don't know and can't control which card is picked.

How is it an upgrade if the card I get doesn't actually fit in my case?

 

[ubuysa]

It appears that there is RTX 3090 availability if I go to upgrade my build that I bought around 2 years ago. The thing is, I have a Fractal Meshify C and the max card length is 315mm. The Palit, Asus TUF, eVGA FTW and MSI Ventus will all fit but the Gigabyte, Zotac and others won't.

So, how do I know if the card I order will actually fit? I spent over 2 hours on Thursday to talk to sales and got told that they don't know and can't control which card is picked.

How is it an upgrade if the card I get doesn't actually fit in my case?

There are many occasions when kit won't fit, either because the case is too small or because other components are in the way. It's unfortunate but that's life. Your best bet is to buy your own 3090 so you get one that will fit.

 

[SodaO]

It is entirely possible the card would fit as, sometimes, case manufacturers are cautious...I know at least one instance where a fan bigger than the manufacturer said was possible still fit (can't remember the case and GPU offhand).

If you remove the front case fan, then it will fit as the 315mm max length takes into account the case fan.

That's true but not very helpful. By the same logic, could also remove the entire front panel of the case. The fans at the front are there for a practical reason, not just their RGB effects.

 

[SodaO]

There are many occasions when kit won't fit, either because the case is too small or because other components are in the way. It's unfortunate but that's life. Your best bet is to buy your own 3090 so you get one that will fit.

You're missing the point. PC Specialist have all my specs on file - I access those when ordering an 'upgrade'. When you spec a PC in the first place, the web tool tells you if you've specified something that clashes. If you upgrade you need to sit on the phone for 2 hours to be told it's random. The upgrade option is provided as a service. However, it's not a service if you can't actually use it in practice.

I'm not sure who appoints moderators here but if this was my business and someone was telling me 'that's life, buy it somewhere else' I'd find a new moderator.

 

[ubuysa]

You're missing the point. PC Specialist have all my specs on file - I access those when ordering an 'upgrade'. When you spec a PC in the first place, the web tool tells you if you've specified something that clashes. If you upgrade you need to sit on the phone for 2 hours to be told it's random. The upgrade option is provided as a service. However, it's not a service if you can't actually use it in practice.

If you read the Terms & Conditions (section 7.3) it explicitly says that if you order a dedicated graphics card and the AIB (add-in-board) manufacturer name is not specified in the product description or on the final invoice, then you will receive a graphics card that meets the specification of the model/version stated. Although upgrades are not mentioned (thought warranty replacements are) it's clear that this policy will apply to upgrades.

It's unfortunate that some AIB cards apparently will not fit in your case and that PCS cannot promise which AIB card your upgrade will be. If you think PCS are not providing the service to which you think you're entitled I would encourage you to email [email protected] and complain.

I'm not sure who appoints moderators here but if this was my business and someone was telling me 'that's life, buy it somewhere else' I'd find a new moderator.

As a forum user I'm entitled to voice my own opinions, if you read my signature you'll see that I clearly state that my opinions are my own. Again however, if you have any complaints about any moderator either email [email protected] or complain via PM to the forum administrator @moosEh. BTW. Since you don't know, it's @moosEh who appoints forum administrators.

 

[SodaO]

Grumpy guy here again.

First, thank-you for your quick replies earlier. If anything, the responsiveness will encourage me to use this forum again.

Second, I thought an update on my situation could be of benefit to other members. The Fractal Meshify C is a popular case (number 2 on pcpartpicker.com) largely due to its decent thermals and sound insulation for a more compact format. The obvious downside is the limit on GPU length.

Yes, one can remove the second fan or apparently even cut away part of the mesh frame to mount the fans externally. The less extreme option is to remove the drive tray at the bottom of the case and slide the lower fan down, to the floor. The issue here is that the fan will half be blowing under the shelf that covers the PSU.

So, long story short, I found a solution that might be valuable for others in the same predicament. It's this fan shroud design that you can download for free and have 3D printed by a supplier of your choice (for about £30) or yourself if you have the relevant equipment.

Fractal Design Meshify C Fan Shroud by Lewis3D

Fan shroud to replace original plate when fitting 3x fans and/or front mount radiator.4 screw holes (may need drilling out depending on support settings). 2 screw holes from original plate holes + 2 more using the 120mm fan slots.Best printing screw holes facing down, no supports needed.

www.thingiverse.com

So, I've ordered my 3090 and will begin my light case modding as soon as the shroud arrives.

A large part of my decision was based on the price (and availability) of the 3090 through PC Specialist. Asus and Zotac have both just increased their prices on GPUs and no doubt others will soon follow suit.

If it's helpful to anyone, I can update with pics and thermals afterwards.