USB3 and video card in my desktop

Forums › Desktop computing › USB3 and video card in my desktop - how?

timmmay

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#243885 7-Jan-2019 13:59

My computer's fairly old, 2600K with 16GB RAM, but with two SSDs and other disks it still works well.

The USB3 is fairly slow on the motherboard, so I added a PCI Express USB3 card, which is quite a bit faster. To get that in I had to take out the nVidia video card, as I couldn't fit both. This is mostly because the CPU heatsink is a monster.

I want to watch stuff on the TV beside my computer, which I used to do with a cable, but the built in video only has one HDMI out. So I need another video adapter.

Can you get either:

A very compact way to add 2D video / HDMI out?
A USB 3.0 card that is very short?
A USB 3.0 card that runs on PCI non-express?

My fallback option is a Fire TV stick / R.Pi running Kodi.

Just for context

Showing USB card and second PCI express slot hidden

Showing the size of the video card I took out

Jase2985

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#2155806 7-Jan-2019 14:16

what motherboard do you have? it seems as thats your problem, having a smaller motherboard restricts the number of PCI slots on it leading to your issue.

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Dolts

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#2155807 7-Jan-2019 14:18

Maybe a riser cable?

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/CABTHM880019/Thermaltake-TT-Gaming-Riser-Cable-PCI-E-30-X16PCI

This one seems a bit expensive.

littlehead

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#2155811 7-Jan-2019 14:24

There are low profile USB 3.0 cards like this, this and this that might fit.

Another option is a PCI-E riser extension like this, this or this to "move" the PCI-E slot to another part of the case. I've never used the USB type but did use the ribbon type many many years ago with success. Both in theory should work for just 2d video.

timmmay

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#2155985 7-Jan-2019 20:49

The USB cards still probably a bit big underneath my huge heatsink. Those extensions might do the job, but looks fiddly.

I think the easiest option might be to get a Fire TV stick with my next Amazon order - means less messing inside the computer.

When I next replace my computer, which is probably due before too long, I'll probably get a SuperMicro motherboard with Xeon and more expansion options. Maybe a bigger case too.

Thanks all :)

clive100

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#2155987 7-Jan-2019 21:00

What about a smaller or vertical CPU fan ?

timmmay

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#2155989 7-Jan-2019 21:04

clive100:

What about a smaller or vertical CPU fan ?

Good idea. Even with the huge cooler and fan I still hit 68 degrees when rendering video, which I sometimes do overnight. Probably best to stick with the good cooler and get the R.Pi or Fire TV.

shrub

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#2155990 7-Jan-2019 21:17

It almost looks like the cpu cooler has been installed 180?

A good cpu cooler is only $35. Look for Cryorig 92mm or cm i70 which will be fine with a i7 2700. Still a very capable cpu 4c8t.

timmmay

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#2155995 7-Jan-2019 21:22

Which part looks backwards?

It's possible I put the fan on wrong today, I took it off to vacuum the heatsink. The heatsink only goes on one way I think. It's been on for years, very fiddly to get on, but probably due new thermal paste.

That Noctua cooler was about the best around 6 or 8 years ago when I got it, but super huge.

shrub

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#2155999 7-Jan-2019 21:35

can you spin the cpu cooler 90 or 180 so the heat pipes exit at the top of the case? It might give you more clearance for the pci-e slot.

timmmay

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#2156001 7-Jan-2019 21:52

I'll have a look tomorrow. From memory I could only get it on one way.

Wellingtondave

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#2156002 7-Jan-2019 21:59

HDMI splitter is an option if you want to mirror the video to your TV without unplugging but doesn't give you a second monitor to flick stuff over to.

USB video adaptor. Not sure where to get these locally.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-External-Video-Monitor-Adapter/dp/B005G306I2

lNomNoml

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#2156006 7-Jan-2019 22:06

As others have said, sort your CPU cooler out and the world will open opportunities for you. :)

Jase2985

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#2156009 7-Jan-2019 22:26

i have essentially the same size Mobo and the same CPU, bigger case though and i run something similar to this
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/FANCOR0550/Corsair-Hydro-Series-H55-For-Low-Noise-High-Value

gives you heaps of space in the case and cools real well, its no custom water cooling setup but handles the temp.

timmmay

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#2156078 8-Jan-2019 07:56

I think a new cooler would be the way to go if I really wanted to do this. But an R.Pi / Fire TV means I don't have to bother messing with it or anything else. Appreciate the really useful suggestions, but I think i'll take the easy way out. Thanks all :)