So I built my first pc.

[axillarypuma]

For around 500$ I build a pc with:

Intel core i3 4150 3.5ghz

Kingston HyperX 8gb ddr3 1600mhz

Asrock h97m pro 4 anniversary edition mobo.

thermaltake urban s1 case.

You don't see a gpu because I haven't bought it yet, I just got the money to buy it today and was planning to buy this:

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-VAPOR-X-PCI-Express-Graphics-11221-12-40G/dp/B00IPZW686/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421104540&sr=1-2&keywords=sapphire+radeon+r9+280x

Now the problem comes when I found out that my case supports gpu's up to 260mm, this one is 308mm (amazon says its 14inches but its really 12)

Is it possible to make it fit by removing the additional drive cages? if not. Could you recommend me something that fits on my case as good or similar to this one?

 

[Albino Boo]

What you want is a low profile card. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=amb_link_372408622_1?ie=UTF8&keywords=low%20profile%20graphics%20card&search-alias=aps&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1XWD4TQ5W9TBCPF18208&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=1882025402&pf_rd_i=1001075831

Thats said you want see the full benefit of the r9 280x because your cpu isn't powerful enough. Its just going to bottleneck and you will only get to play on low -medium because of lack of cpu power. I would save your money and go for r9 270x and you will get the same performance at a much lower cost

 

[axillarypuma]

What you want is a low profile card. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=amb_link_372408622_1?ie=UTF8&keywords=low%20profile%20graphics%20card&search-alias=aps&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1XWD4TQ5W9TBCPF18208&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=1882025402&pf_rd_i=1001075831

Thats said you want see the full benefit of the r9 280x because your cpu isn't powerful enough. Its just going to bottleneck and you will only get to play on low -medium because of lack of cpu power. I would save your money and go for r9 270x and you will get the same performance at a much lower cost

A r9 270x like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-VAPOR-X-PCI-Express-Graphics-11217-00-20G/dp/B00G36G9ZA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1421178509&sr=8-5&keywords=sapphire+radeon+r9+270x

Or would that bottleneck too?

I'm sorry I'm new to all this stuff

 

[Albino Boo]

A r9 270x like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-VAPOR-X-PCI-Express-Graphics-11217-00-20G/dp/B00G36G9ZA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1421178509&sr=8-5&keywords=sapphire+radeon+r9+270x

Or would that bottleneck too?

I'm sorry I'm new to all this stuff

There are very few games that can use the 4GB memory on that GPU and again you won't see the benefit because of your i3 cpu. Go for the 2GB memory version. Thats about the best performance that your CPU can benefit from. You can spend more money but it depends on how long you are planning to keep your current PC. IF you plan to build a new one with a more powerful CPU in the next 18 months then, buy a high end card now and keep it for your new pc. If not, the prices will fall in that time so its a waste of money.

 

[axillarypuma]

Since I don't expect to change my cpu in the next 18 months, I'll just remove the drive cages and buy that 2gb version, Thanks for your help!