Motu PCI card, Dell inspiron "slim"
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Posted on Oct 16, 2009 01:17 pm
labra44
Member Since: Oct 16, 2009
I have been through the ringer trying to get an acceptable setup going, bought a Mac, sold it because it wasn't compatible, now I bought a Dell slim PC, not knowing that the thing is SO slim that my Motu PCI card won't fit, the card is wider than the entire computer. Does Motu make a slim pci card? Or is there any way to get around this?
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TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 16, 2009 03:29 pm Sounds like it might be time to move to a FireWire or USB interface. Personally, I love the stability and high bandwidth of a PCI interface, but they're becoming less and less common. FW and USB are becoming more stable as the technology matures.
Depending on the form factor, you might be able to get a new case and transfer the innards of your slim computer to the new case. I have a feeling that the slim computers use a different form factor of motherboard that won't easily transfer to a larger case.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Oct 16, 2009 03:54 pm The make a PCI-Express version which is backwards compatible with the older hardware. I can "almost" guarantee the PCI-Express version will be much smaller.
Oct 16, 2009 04:17 pm who makes express? Motu?
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Oct 16, 2009 08:39 pm Well, from what I understand, Dell "Slim" PCs aren't exactly powerhouses. They tend to have a smaller form factor, and the PSU tend to supply a lower wattage than standard Desktop PSU's (I think the standard Dell Slim PC is a 250W PSU). I'm not sure what kinda wattage the MOTU card requires.
What you're going to want to look for as for the PCI-Express is a half-height (or "low profile") card to work with a slim case. I don't know if MOTU makes those or not, but if they do, then great. Another thing, is I think the low-profile cards are designed to work with the low-wattage PSU's so a low-profile card would be fine to run with the 250W of power.
The PCI riser might work out okay since it would place the card so it's parallel to the motherboard....but then you have to ask if there's room for that card considering the other stuff in the case. Are there cards in any of the other slots that would be in the way? Does the MOTU standard PCI card need more than 250W to work properly?
Not to mention if you installed via the riser, would you still be able to access the jacks on the MOTU?
It's food for thought at least.
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Oct 17, 2009 07:02 am I accidentally bought a slim PC for my current workstation... I took the case off and cut a hole in the frame until the cards I needed fit...
Oct 18, 2009 12:20 am why does it matter if it's parallel to the motherboard? I don't get that part. Assuming that wattage wasn't an issue (dont know at this point) could I make my own "custom" hole in the side of the tower to mount the card in? When you say parallel, it makes me think that location matters? I don't know.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Oct 18, 2009 12:51 am Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse. When I read the description of the card being bigger than the slim, I was thinking wider/thicker when you put the card in the PCI slot er, excuse the ascii art, but in this way:
=| The card is perpendicular to the motherboard normally, with the Slim PC case being to narrow for the card to fit that way.
However, with the riser card, the slots would point in another direction, so the card would be oriented this way: | | and parallel to the motherboard. I was thinking maybe it would fit that way using a riser card if the other slots aren't used, but I don't know if the back of the card would still be accessible when facing that way.
If other slots are in use then you've got an issue: =|=| since the other cards would be in the way. I don't know if my "art" makes any sense or not.
If you think about those old boxy computers from back in the late 80's early 90's where the monitor sat on top the case. Those types usually had riser cards which would orient the PCI or EISA cards so they were parallel to the motherboard and would fit in the case. Er, if memory serves at least.
Nowadays, sometimes you can find the riser cards being used in servers since the server chassis are designed to be rack-mountable, so the card does have to face a certain way.
Optionally, like Zeke said, you could try cutting "vents" in the side panel of the case so the card has room to fit. Be sure that none of the metal is in contact with the card if you do that though. Also, er, "modifying" the case in that way might very well void any warranties on the PC or any possibility of returning it if you decided it wasn't what you needed.
I don't know if MOTU has a PCI-E card or not. The only PCI cards i've seen are the ones that connect to the larger breakout boxes.
Anyway, I would say, try the riser card before cutting anything up. They tend to face certain ways, either with the top of the card facing either toward or away from the motherboard after it's plugged in. Since the cards can only fit one way, make sure you look closely at the slots so you get the one that faces the way you need it to.
Feel free to let us know if I was too confusing, and I'll try to explain it better.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Oct 18, 2009 01:04 am They (MOTU) have a PCI-E card, it's expensive and did not look that much smaller except for the contacts.
Oct 19, 2009 04:09 pm well in my research I see that the PCI 324 isn't compatible with my pc, they make a newer version, which is the PCI 424, and should be compatible, then I think I will grab my grinder and chop my box open until there is enough room for the card, I am so tired of dealing with this. It shouldn't be this hard to set up a system.
Thanks for all of your help and explaining all of this to me, I think I will also go with the flexible riser so I can try to put it where it will fit, instead of cutting it (I hope).
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 19, 2009 06:30 pm The problem with cutting holes in your box is that you expose these expensive and rather brittle cards to bumps and breakage. That's what a computer's case is for, for protecting the cards, motherboard, CPU, ect. from damage, dirt, dust, moisture, and curious little hands. It also protects you from electrical shock caused by accidentally touching the wrong part of a card/motherboard when the computer is running.
I strongly advise against punching holes in your computer's case for the purpose of fitting a card in it. I know that it sucks that things aren't physically compatible, but it's time to buy equipment that IS compatible instead of chopping up incompatible equipment.
Thanks to CraigsList and eBay, you can sell your existing stuff and put that money towards equipment that's actually meant to be used together. It's just a bad idea to start cutting holes in a computer.
Oct 25, 2009 03:53 pm I agree, and have since started the re-design of the rig. I would have been willing to get the grinder out, but with my luck, I would cut a hole in the computer box and the **** wouldn't be compatible. I am now in the process of finding a tascam fw-1884 firewire interface with motorized faders etc. I think this will be the easiest way to go. I thank all of you for all of your help, I will start a new thread once I get the tascam and realize it won't work lol ;)
