xDiVolatilX
2[H]4U
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2021
- Messages
- 3,013
I was exactly in your position I wanted to have my add in sound blaster cards I can't stand on board audio. So I went custom loop with a single slot 3080Ti Hydrocopper (before that aorus 2080Tiwater force single slot, before that Aorus 1080Tiwaterforce single slot) because they are literally single slot and you can use the second slot even right underneath it no worries. I didn't care about the wattage I'm ok with what a good high end Ti model can do but yeah the slots are precious and would be unhappy without my add in cards so I can fully understand your concern. Consider liquid looping your rig you seem like you are more than enthusiast enough for it lol.#1 reason for me is because of number of slots required. The FE requires 4 slots (3-slot card, and one slot to allow fans to breathe). Most other cards require 5 slots (3.5 or 4-slot card, and one slot to allow fans to breathe). I simply cannot sacrifice that many slots. Even the FE would require me to remove an Intel dual-port network card that I'm using, but I've been testing USB-based replacements. Swapping a rock-solid Intel network card for two ghetto USB adapters is still far from ideal, but it's the only card that I have the option of removing while still being able to get somewhat equivalent functionality via other means. Going to a 5-slot card would require that I also either remove my Sound Card or the small extra videocard that I use to power my 5th and 6th monitors. I'm not willing to sacrifice either of those. I think that there are a couple other 3-slot cards. I believe Zotac makes one. But none of the good AIB companies have one that I know of. I also kind of like the look of the FE. Also, wasn't there something about being able to bump the FE up to 600w while many of the AIB cards can't go above 450?