Is the Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P compatible with Quad-SLI

[radcore]

Im buying a new computer with the following specs:

Motherboard: ?

Memory: 12GB DDR3 1600 G.skill NQ

Hard Drives: Seagate SATA 1TB
64GB Solid State Drive

Graphics cards: 2 X (1792MB GTX 295) Nvidia graphics cards

Processor: Intel Core i7 940 2.93ghz

Case: Antec 1200 Case


Now i was just wondering two things, firstly will a Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD4P be able to run both my dual graphics cards? And if so how much power do i need?

 

[lopri]

Check here.

http://www.giga-byte.com/Produ...ew.aspx?ProductID=2986

Welcome to AnandTech Forums. A quality 600W+ PSU would do the job, it seems.

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

You can't do Quad-SLI on a 600w. You shouldn't even do two way SLI on a 600w.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
You can't do Quad-SLI on a 600w. You shouldn't even do two way SLI on a 600w.

The X58's support SLI if they're licensed, which the UD4P should be.

As for the PSU, if you're going to be overclocking, I would say a minimum of 850W, depending on the loads you put on your computer. At full load, my SLI'd GTX 260C216 55nm, i7 920 @ 4.116GHz 1.41v, and P6T Deluxe with 4 bay devices, sound card, a bunch of fans, and a pump runs around 300W idle from wall (assuming a decent efficiency, around 250W DC), then 900W full CPU/GPU load (710W+ DC). Since you'll be running 2x the GPU's I'm running, I would say that would add a few hundred watts, and you should get a 1050W+ PSU.

 

[radcore]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

I think ill just go with a 1200W power supply, after all, the case has seven fans which will eat up a bit of power too.

 

[nitromullet]

Are you sure you really want to run dual GTX 295s? IMO, the only time that would possibly be worth it is if your monitor is 2560x1600, but then you run into the potential RAM limitation imposed by the 876MB per gpu of the GTX 295. Personally, I'd consider a GTX 285 3-way SLI rig (1024MB per gpu RAM) for that usage. If your monitor resolution is less than 2560x1600, dual GTX 285's would be enough.

The other thought is that there are already rumors of ATI and NVIDIA's next generation starting to surface, which generally means a launch in a few months is imminent. So, spending this much on the graphics cards right now may be something you regret in a few months. If you have your heart set on this setup, at least make sure you go with either EVGA (90 day step up) or BFG Tech (100 day trade up) so you can get a cheaper upgrade to the new cards if they come out in the next three months.

Last thought, if you really want to run dual GTX 295s, I would suggest a motherboard that has two slots between the two primary PCIe 16X slots instead of just one. On a board like the GA-EX58-UD4P you would be stacking the two GTX 295s right next to each other, which is not ideal for heat dissipation. I'd look for a board that would allow you to leave a gap between the two cards.

 

[PCTC2]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
Are you sure you really want to run dual GTX 295s? IMO, the only time that would possibly be worth it is if your monitor is 2560x1600, but then you run into the potential RAM limitation imposed by the 876MB per gpu of the GTX 295. Personally, I'd consider a GTX 285 3-way SLI rig (1024MB per gpu RAM) for that usage. If your monitor resolution is less than 2560x1600, dual GTX 285's would be enough.

The other thought is that there are already rumors of ATI and NVIDIA's next generation starting to surface, which generally means a launch in a few months is imminent. So, spending this much on the graphics cards right now may be something you regret in a few months. If you have your heart set on this setup, at least make sure you go with either EVGA (90 day step up) or BFG Tech (100 day trade up) so you can get a cheaper upgrade to the new cards if they come out in the next three months.

Last thought, if you really want to run dual GTX 295s, I would suggest a motherboard that has two slots between the two primary PCIe 16X slots instead of just one. On a board like the GA-EX58-UD4P you would be stacking the two GTX 295s right next to each other, which is not ideal for heat dissipation. I'd look for a board that would allow you to leave a gap between the two cards.

An example is the Asus P6T-Deluxe.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: PCTC2
An example is the Asus P6T-Deluxe.

True, and one of my top considerations for my planned X58 build. However, I'd only opt for that board if I was absolutely sure 3-way SLI was not going to be an option due to the layout of the third PCIe 16X slot. The OP seems to be building a super rig, so this may be a consideration. If not, I think that motherboard would be my pick.

 

[lopri]

OK I thought he was talking about regular SLI, not quad-SLI. Sorry I wasn't reading carefully last night.

 

[nitromullet]

My tops picks for a potential 3-way and/or quad-SLI rig based strictly on board layout and and PCIe lane configuration.

DFI LP UT X58-T3eH8 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813136063
ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131358
MSI Eclipse Plus http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130225
ASUS P6T7 WS Supercomputer http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131390
ASRock X58 Supercomputer http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813157150

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
You can't do Quad-SLI on a 600w. You shouldn't even do two way SLI on a 600w.

There are plenty of SLI rigs which could be powered by a 600W PSU.

 

[jaggerwild]

Originally posted by: theAnimal

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
You can't do Quad-SLI on a 600w. You shouldn't even do two way SLI on a 600w.

There are plenty of SLI rigs which could be powered by a 600W PSU.

The old Nvidia 6800 ultras, not sure on the 7800's as they were power hugs. I have run crossfire-X (3870 X2 all under water)on an Enermax Galaxy 850 DXX, though I did up grade to a 1000 Watt Galaxy after buying 2 4870 X2 all water.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: jaggerwild

Originally posted by: theAnimal

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
You can't do Quad-SLI on a 600w. You shouldn't even do two way SLI on a 600w.

There are plenty of SLI rigs which could be powered by a 600W PSU.

The old Nvidia 6800 ultras, not sure on the 7800's as they were power hugs. I have run crossfire-X (3870 X2 all under water)on an Enermax Galaxy 850 DXX, though I did up grade to a 1000 Watt Galaxy after buying 2 4870 X2 all water.

I ran a 7800GTX SLI and an X1800XT CF rig with one of these with no problems: ENERMAX Noisetaker EG701AX-VE SFMA(24P) 600W

 

[jaggerwild]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: jaggerwild

Originally posted by: theAnimal

Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
You can't do Quad-SLI on a 600w. You shouldn't even do two way SLI on a 600w.

There are plenty of SLI rigs which could be powered by a 600W PSU.

The old Nvidia 6800 ultras, not sure on the 7800's as they were power hugs. I have run crossfire-X (3870 X2 all under water)on an Enermax Galaxy 850 DXX, though I did up grade to a 1000 Watt Galaxy after buying 2 4870 X2 all water.

I ran a 7800GTX SLI and an X1800XT CF rig with one of these with no problems: ENERMAX Noisetaker EG701AX-VE SFMA(24P) 600W

Never lost a gpu? I love there warranty services! They are my only PSU I use period