680i 3rd video slot

[Brock123]

What is the 3rd pci 16 slot on the 680i boards? I've hear some rumors such as using nvidia 7 or 8 series cards as physic units. But I think if that was the case there would be more about it some where. I'm building a new comp in a few weeks and was just wounder because I'm getting a 680i or a 975 and alot is baised on that magic 3rd slot.

Thanks

 

[aka1nas]

IIRC, it is for the SLI+Physics solutions. To be honest, neither ATI or NVidia have been talking about their respective physics solutions for a while, so I wouldn;t base my purchasing decisions on it.

 

[Journer]

aka1nas says it how it is, however, you can pop another reg. vid car in there and have two more outputs...could be usefull if you need 6 screens...

 

[Fallen Kell]

Actually, I AM basing my purchasing decision based on it because I want to use a PCIe RAID card. There are other devices in the word which use PCIe you know, not just video and eventually physics.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Actually, I AM basing my purchasing decision based on it because I want to use a PCIe RAID card. There are other devices in the word which use PCIe you know, not just video and eventually physics.

Be award that some motherboards will not allow non video devices in those PCIe slots. I know of a lot of people who tried to put a RAID card in their extra PCI X16 slot, and the mobo refused to acknowledge the existance of the card.

 

[aka1nas]

Also, that third slot is limited to x8 electrically, which shouldn't be an issue with non-graphics PCI-E cards. Just do some research before buying as it's been a bit hit-or-miss with PCI-E x16 slots and non-GPU cards.

 

[Brock123]

Thanks for the replies I'll probably go with it in the hopes of using it in the future.

 

[StopSign]

Originally posted by: Brock123
Thanks for the replies I'll probably go with it in the hopes of using it in the future.

By that time there will be motherboards with working slots.