Installing two video cards. How close is too close?

strangedays · 08-29-2006, 05:12 PM

I'm thinking of adding a TV tuner to my computer, but I'm a bit worried about using a free PCI slot I have. Slot 1 is PCI-e and is being used by an nvidia 7600 graphics card with a large cooling fan. Slot 2 is PCI (the one I want to use) and is right below it and any type of card would be extremely close to it. I took a picture so you can get a general idea of the space constraints.

There is plenty of ventilation in my case. I have 1 case fan for air intake and two for outflow.

However, what risks do I take by installing a TV tuner so close to the video card? I can opt for a USB tuner, but would prefer the pci option.

Opinions are appreciated.

**pharoah** · 08-29-2006, 06:11 PM

i dont think i would fill that slot right below that video card.ive seen tv tuners and it would totally block the fan on that 7600,and if you play games or do anything graphics intensive that card is going to overheat.

Tumbleweed36 · 08-29-2006, 06:30 PM

Hi,

My advice would be not to do this if you want to use the graphics card you have for anything intensive. Heat can kill and the ventilation in this area would be minimal at best. That is my opinion.

**TheMatt** · 08-29-2006, 06:50 PM

I would stay from using that PCI slot if possible. Unfortunatley, USB TV tuners usually arent that great in quality. If you just want to use the TV tuner to view TV on your monitor, We could figgure out a way to directly connect your cable box/sattelite reciver or other device to your monitor.

strangedays · 08-29-2006, 08:18 PM

Thanks for all the responses.

It's one of those situations where common sense tells you the answer before you even have to ask. So, I'll be keeping that slot open for ventilation. Thanks again.

08-29-2006, 05:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
strangedays Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 33 OS: WinXP	Installing two video cards. How close is too close? I'm thinking of adding a TV tuner to my computer, but I'm a bit worried about using a free PCI slot I have. Slot 1 is PCI-e and is being used by an nvidia 7600 graphics card with a large cooling fan. Slot 2 is PCI (the one I want to use) and is right below it and any type of card would be extremely close to it. I took a picture so you can get a general idea of the space constraints. There is plenty of ventilation in my case. I have 1 case fan for air intake and two for outflow. However, what risks do I take by installing a TV tuner so close to the video card? I can opt for a USB tuner, but would prefer the pci option. Opinions are appreciated. Last edited by strangedays; 08-29-2006 at 05:18 PM.

08-29-2006, 06:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
pharoah TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,188 OS: vista business edition My System	i dont think i would fill that slot right below that video card.ive seen tv tuners and it would totally block the fan on that 7600,and if you play games or do anything graphics intensive that card is going to overheat. __________________ Follow These Steps First Power Supply Selection Posting System Specs Oblivion Tweak Guide Video Drivers& Information TSF folding at home team 85015

08-29-2006, 06:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,707 OS: XP Professional	Hi, My advice would be not to do this if you want to use the graphics card you have for anything intensive. Heat can kill and the ventilation in this area would be minimal at best. That is my opinion. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

08-29-2006, 06:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	I would stay from using that PCI slot if possible. Unfortunatley, USB TV tuners usually arent that great in quality. If you just want to use the TV tuner to view TV on your monitor, We could figgure out a way to directly connect your cable box/sattelite reciver or other device to your monitor. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 08-29-2006 at 06:52 PM.

08-29-2006, 08:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
strangedays Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 33 OS: WinXP	Thanks for all the responses. It's one of those situations where common sense tells you the answer before you even have to ask. So, I'll be keeping that slot open for ventilation. Thanks again.