Dothan Burger wrote on 2024-04-27, 16:46:

I like it! How much did she cost?

US $44.64 + shipping another 10 dollars.

Installation

Motherboard installed

PCI Riser

Fits snugly round the back, perfect!

PCI Graphics Card

OOPS! Looks like we hit a snag!

Anybody spot the problem?

It seems like the case orientation of the graphics card is "Upside down" if we were to route the extension cable the shortest, most logical route. As it stands, I can't secure the cards to the case.

This is one I did not see coming! Anybody out there who has faced (and overcome) the same?

Ya!! 🤪 Maybe you can find a longer extension? That sucks though...

That's what you get for trying to install those cards with the heatsinks pointing inwards.

Tevian wrote on 2024-04-28, 11:21:

Ya!! 🤪 Maybe you can find a longer extension? That sucks though...

Exactly! To make matters worse, my extension cable cost almost as much as the case, and they don't accept returns!

Hey at least the cables aren't soldered, which would be annoying. They seem to be repurposed IDE cable connectors, which are readily available and you can easily DIY the longer cables - just crimp them on, e.g. in a vice.

elszgensa wrote on 2024-04-28, 11:33:

Hey at least the cables aren't soldered, which would be annoying. They seem to be repurposed IDE cable connectors, which are readily available and you can easily DIY the longer cables - just crimp them on, e.g. in a vice.

I guess that is certainly a viable option. Only question is if the signal integrity will hold if I quadruple the length of the original cables.

I guess I have three options:

1) Try to replace cables with longer ones
2) Try to re-orient the PCI-card mounting bracket 180 degrees
3) Hack the case and the mounting bracket (pliers + drill)

I regard option 1 as the most complex, but in turn that would give the most satisfying result. Still there is a risk I will stop the PCI riser from working, either because the cables simply cannot be that long, or because of my own ineptitude.

Option 3 is the easiest fix, but will of course be ugly. And I will always know!

hilram wrote on 2024-04-28, 11:48:

I guess that is certainly a viable option. Only question is if the signal integrity will hold if I quadruple the length of the o […]
Show full quote

elszgensa wrote on 2024-04-28, 11:33:

Hey at least the cables aren't soldered, which would be annoying. They seem to be repurposed IDE cable connectors, which are readily available and you can easily DIY the longer cables - just crimp them on, e.g. in a vice.

I guess that is certainly a viable option. Only question is if the signal integrity will hold if I quadruple the length of the original cables.

I guess I have three options:

1) Try to replace cables with longer ones
2) Try to re-orient the PCI-card mounting bracket 180 degrees
3) Hack the case and the mounting bracket (pliers + drill)

I regard option 1 as the most complex, but in turn that would give the most satisfying result. Still there is a risk I will stop the PCI riser from working, either because the cables simply cannot be that long, or because of my own ineptitude.

Option 3 is the easiest fix, but will of course be ugly. And I will always know!

I would first test the riser outside of the case and see how everything works. If signal integrity becomes an issue maybe you can attempt the shielding technique that ahmadexp used in the ITX Llama thread where he wrapped the riser cable in copper tape.

Yes, I suppose that is how I will go about it. But I have decided to order a new extension cable:
20 cm 32-bit PCI M to F connector

Ordered it from AliExpress, I hope it will work with daisy-chaining my one-to-two PCI extender. If not, I will have to use this one on its own, and sacrifice a second PCI-card.

That means giving up on EITHER

1) Positional audio, and instead rely on the Southbridge on-board sound instead OR
2) A Vooodoo 2-card for native Glide support.

Will also have to probably 3D-print a custom support for some kind of PCI-holder. My job has a couple of 3D-printers we can use for personal use if we ask nicely.

hilram wrote on 2024-04-28, 11:48:

2) Try to re-orient the PCI-card mounting bracket 180 degrees

A 3D-printed bracket would probably be the most elegant solution for mounting the bracket upside-down

edited: Just saw you mentioned 3D printing in your most recent post. 😅

Of course, I could always 3D-print new brackets for the cards! Why didn't I think of that? Anyway, I have ordered that 20 cm extension cable, will try that first. Will keep you posted how things are going. PSU will arrive in a few days, will power on and connect it then.