Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe + XFX 7900GT + Zalman VF900-Cu = No Go
So, after my supposedly high end 7900GT fell to pieces, I thought it may be worthwhile investing in a Zalman VF900-Cu cooler for my warranty replacement 7900GT when it arrives (in the hope it would protect me against the fan failing again). So I check Zalman's website - great, its compatible with my 7900GT, so of I go to order the thing...
A few days later, everything arrives, so I put the card and the VF900 together. It was fairly straightforward and didn't pose any real problems. But then came installing the card into my PC - and I hit a big snag. It turns out the cooler is compatible with my card, but not quite my Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard it seems! Behold the photo I took below:
As you can roughly see, the 4-pin 12V connector on the motherboard is now obstructing the screw/bolt on the back of the card, and the card will not slot in! Yes, great design on Asus's part by putting the 12V connector in such a stupid place.
In the end I had to sacrifice my Audigy sound card in the top PCI slot and put the 7900GT in the bottom PCI-E x16 slot. It is also now pretty much touching the PCI card in the bottom slot and causing bad heat build up there. Of course I don't have much choice - the stock fan is loud enough to be heard upstairs!
In summary, if you have the Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard, and a 7900GT, don't even think about putting the VF900 on it! Hell, it's even a good enough reason to avoid the M2N32-SLI Deluxe board for me!