F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Tips for Mounting Vertical GPUs (Including Fans and Other Components)

Tips for Mounting Vertical GPUs (Including Fans and Other Components)

Tips for Mounting Vertical GPUs (Including Fans and Other Components)

L
LagMeter
Member
236
07-14-2022, 03:24 PM
#1
I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help me with!
I'm currently purchasing the last few things I need to build my new PC.
Case: Lian Li,
011 Dynamic EVO RGB
GPU: MSI, 5080 Gaming Trio
Motherboard: Gigabyte x870E Aorus Pro Ice
Cooler: NZXT,
Kraken 360 Elite RGB
The vertical brackets that interest me most:
Phanteks
Lian Li (not available til mid-August according to their insta and I'm not absolutely certain it will be available in white)
It seems like the Phanteks is the best choice if I want to build sooner rather than later but it comes with a PCI-e 4, not a 5. There is a Lian Li PCI-e 5 available but it's currently only available in black. I messaged the Phanteks support to see if I can remove their riser cable and swap in a new one but if anyone has experience with that and can answer definitively that would be helpful. I'd really prefer the cable to be white but if it's more or less hidden behind the GPU then I can live with it.
For the fans/radiator, I was planning on having 3 fans on the bottom, 3 fans on the side, and the radiator mounted at the top with one additional fan at the back of the case. Will I be able to fit fans at the bottom of the case with the Phanteks bracket? I have seen a few discussions online re: clearance but haven't found a clear answer and I'm really not sure what I would need to measure in order to figure it out. I was planning on purchasing Corsair's "
iCUE LINK LX140-R RGB 140mm PWM Reverse Fans
" for the 6 needed on the bottom and side.
Additional fan question: Assuming bottom fans work with the bracket...I was planning on having the fans on the bottom and the side be reverse-blade with one "normal" fan at the back of the case. If the cooler is mounted at the top, will my airflow be okay for a vertical mount? Is there a better layout for the fans that I should consider?
Any advice or experience you can share would be really appreciated - thank you!
L
LagMeter
07-14-2022, 03:24 PM #1

I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help me with!
I'm currently purchasing the last few things I need to build my new PC.
Case: Lian Li,
011 Dynamic EVO RGB
GPU: MSI, 5080 Gaming Trio
Motherboard: Gigabyte x870E Aorus Pro Ice
Cooler: NZXT,
Kraken 360 Elite RGB
The vertical brackets that interest me most:
Phanteks
Lian Li (not available til mid-August according to their insta and I'm not absolutely certain it will be available in white)
It seems like the Phanteks is the best choice if I want to build sooner rather than later but it comes with a PCI-e 4, not a 5. There is a Lian Li PCI-e 5 available but it's currently only available in black. I messaged the Phanteks support to see if I can remove their riser cable and swap in a new one but if anyone has experience with that and can answer definitively that would be helpful. I'd really prefer the cable to be white but if it's more or less hidden behind the GPU then I can live with it.
For the fans/radiator, I was planning on having 3 fans on the bottom, 3 fans on the side, and the radiator mounted at the top with one additional fan at the back of the case. Will I be able to fit fans at the bottom of the case with the Phanteks bracket? I have seen a few discussions online re: clearance but haven't found a clear answer and I'm really not sure what I would need to measure in order to figure it out. I was planning on purchasing Corsair's "
iCUE LINK LX140-R RGB 140mm PWM Reverse Fans
" for the 6 needed on the bottom and side.
Additional fan question: Assuming bottom fans work with the bracket...I was planning on having the fans on the bottom and the side be reverse-blade with one "normal" fan at the back of the case. If the cooler is mounted at the top, will my airflow be okay for a vertical mount? Is there a better layout for the fans that I should consider?
Any advice or experience you can share would be really appreciated - thank you!

T
Toddybad
Junior Member
48
08-01-2022, 12:27 PM
#2
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
In my opinion, avoid vertical GPU mounts because the main cause of display problems is the ribbon cable. To add, the Phanteks unit suggests placing the GPU closer to the side panel of the case, which would expose it to higher temperatures—recycled heat and less fresh air.

For your fan question:
UNIVERSAL 4- SLOTS VERTICAL GPU KIT (WITH GEN 4 RISER) - LIAN LI is a Leading Provider of PC Cases | Computer Cases
UNIVERSAL 4- SLOTS VERTICAL GPU KIT(with Gen 4 riser)- Offers full tower/ATX mid-tower support for up to 4 GPU slots in vertical position, ideal for most LIAN LI cases. Comes with a PCIe 4.0 riser cable for smooth connections. Available in 2 colors: White or Black. Buy now...
lian-li.com
Check the bottom of the case.
Thread moved from the Components section to the Systems section.
T
Toddybad
08-01-2022, 12:27 PM #2

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
In my opinion, avoid vertical GPU mounts because the main cause of display problems is the ribbon cable. To add, the Phanteks unit suggests placing the GPU closer to the side panel of the case, which would expose it to higher temperatures—recycled heat and less fresh air.

For your fan question:
UNIVERSAL 4- SLOTS VERTICAL GPU KIT (WITH GEN 4 RISER) - LIAN LI is a Leading Provider of PC Cases | Computer Cases
UNIVERSAL 4- SLOTS VERTICAL GPU KIT(with Gen 4 riser)- Offers full tower/ATX mid-tower support for up to 4 GPU slots in vertical position, ideal for most LIAN LI cases. Comes with a PCIe 4.0 riser cable for smooth connections. Available in 2 colors: White or Black. Buy now...
lian-li.com
Check the bottom of the case.
Thread moved from the Components section to the Systems section.

H
hyabusarider
Junior Member
11
08-05-2022, 06:52 PM
#3
Thank you!
I wanted to clarify whether replacing the ribbon cable is something that often happens or if it's just another possibility that might go wrong. I’m not sure if it’s a common problem, but I think it mainly comes down to appearance. Mounting it this way does make the case look nicer, even though I know the MSI GPU could be better if it were replaced. It seems like such a waste of potential, especially since I’m the only one who really likes it. My thought was that Lian Li’s PCI-e 5 release might make the connection more stable, but is that really a big deal? >_<
Re: the phanteks mount. Would the bottom fans help bring fresh air in and keep temperatures lower? I don’t really understand how air moves inside a case well, and I haven’t really paid much attention to GPU temps before—I’m just a casual user. Is the main concern that the card will be close to the glass? I wasn’t aware that could be an issue.
H
hyabusarider
08-05-2022, 06:52 PM #3

Thank you!
I wanted to clarify whether replacing the ribbon cable is something that often happens or if it's just another possibility that might go wrong. I’m not sure if it’s a common problem, but I think it mainly comes down to appearance. Mounting it this way does make the case look nicer, even though I know the MSI GPU could be better if it were replaced. It seems like such a waste of potential, especially since I’m the only one who really likes it. My thought was that Lian Li’s PCI-e 5 release might make the connection more stable, but is that really a big deal? >_<
Re: the phanteks mount. Would the bottom fans help bring fresh air in and keep temperatures lower? I don’t really understand how air moves inside a case well, and I haven’t really paid much attention to GPU temps before—I’m just a casual user. Is the main concern that the card will be close to the glass? I wasn’t aware that could be an issue.