rigvelaGraphics card, case, and power: a fit checklist
Cards with the same GPU can differ in length, thickness and power connections. Before buying, check the exact card, the space available in your case and the PSU cables.
Checklist as text
You can select and copy this text manually. The list does not mark any checks as completed.
On this page
Check the complete card dimensions
Open the card manufacturer’s page for the exact model and record its length, height, and thickness or occupied slots. Cards with the same GPU can use different coolers. A family label such as RTX or Radeon and a retailer photograph do not establish the dimensions of the item you will receive.
Compare those measurements with the case manual and the positions of other components. Consider neighbouring cards, bottom fans, support brackets, and the installation path. Leave the connector and cable-routing space required by the card instructions; the side panel should not press on the power connection.
Recheck clearance with your cooling layout
A case’s maximum GPU length applies to a stated layout. Front radiators or fans can reduce available space. Find the measurement conditions in the manual before subtracting anything: some published clearances already include particular fans.
Fractal Design, for example, documents how a front radiator reduces card clearance in its Epoch case. That calculation describes a specific arrangement, not every enclosure. Use your own case diagram and cooling dimensions. If the result is close, confirm the installation instead of rounding measurements in your favour.
Verify the PSU and every required cable
Start with the exact card manufacturer’s system-power recommendation, then account for the rest of your components and that recommendation’s assumptions. Card power and PSU capacity are different quantities. There is no universal wattage for every build; a builder estimate is not a measurement or certification of a PSU’s quality.
Check the card’s connector types and count, the PSU’s available cables, and any supplied adapter instructions. Modular cables are not interchangeable just because a plug fits or the brand matches. Use the included cables or replacements explicitly approved for the exact PSU model. Recheck the entire cable set when replacing a power supply.
Save the build and your manual checks
Add the exact card, case and PSU to RigVela. Check cooling, card thickness and power cables against the manuals. If your card variant is absent from the catalogue, use its own dimensions. Save the build once those conditions are checked.
Quick checklist
- Confirm exact dimensions, cooling clearance, and cable space.
- Check the PSU recommendation and required connectors.
- Verify every modular cable against the PSU manufacturer’s guidance.
Check the room for your graphics card
Calculate length clearance for your layout. Thickness, the power cable and PSU compatibility need separate checks.
Documentation & sources
These are the documents used in this guide. Check your exact model’s specifications on its support page.