The right GPU for SSF

[Mithosphere]

I most recently sold my SLI mATX system to a friend and have relying on a very basic, though completely passive, computer for all tasks - except gaming. In following the recommendations of the sticky:

1. What will you be doing with this PC? Basic computing, watching video, occasionally rendering video, and gaming.

2. Will you be overclocking? No

3. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection? $1000-1100 shipping/tax included. Budget isn't very flexible. The cost is certainly a factor, but if I can find slightly used parts that's all the better.

4. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby (e.g. Microcenter, Fry's, etc)? In Michigan, without any reliable computer stores.

5. What exact parts do you need for that budget? Just need to select the proper GPU

6. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? No reusing of parts

7. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? Already purchased the MSI Z87I AC mini ITX board.

8. What resolution output do you need? Do you need multiple monitor output? I'm currently running 1080p, but would like to "upgrade" to 1440p down the road in a year or two.

9. Does this system need to fit into a particular space and do you need an optical drive? No optical drive needed, as I'll either fill the case slot with a converter or use an external when needed.

10. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? No modification (or extremely little).

11. How important is the noise/silence of this sytem? Silence is important but so is smooth gameplay.

12. How mobile does this system need to be? Never going to be moving it.

13. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? 64-bit Windows 8.

14. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Already purchased the components - EXCEPT for the GPU.

Here is the list of parts I currently have:

Silverstone FT-03B mini
Silverstone non-modular SFX 450W
Intel i5 4570
MSI Z87I AC
G.Skill Ripjaw DDR3-1600
Corsair H60

I've read over the thread on the FT-03 mini and am still a little confused with what current GPUs fit within the case. As the case lacks any side ventilation, I need to find a reference-style card with the blower heatsink. The thread made reference to fitting a GTX680 (at 10 inches long) - what other modern cards in the 7xx series or from ATI/AMD will fit in this case - without modification?

My old computer was running an i7 with two GTX460s, four SSDs, and the Noctua D14, all packed inside the fabulous PC Design Labs QMicra V2. I could run everything on high settings, but fewer games piqued my interest so I sold it to a friend who was looking to upgrade. The computer I'm currently running on has a passive ASUS mini ITX board. It's great, but can't run basic games very well (even with the Nvidia ION graphics).

With this in mind, I'm looking to get either a GTX 680 or the modern equivalent from either chipset manufacturer, without modifying the case.

Thanks!

 

[WiSK]

EVGA GTX 760 Superclocked (model number 02G-P4-2762-KR) is pretty much the goto option at the moment for the FT03-mini.