Need Motherboard Recommendation

[lambchops511]

Hi All. I currently have an Intel Core-i7 3770 serving me very well, however my motherboard only has 2x PCIEx16 slots. I am looking to upgrade to one that can do 4x PCIEx16, and run 4x GTX 480s (or 4xBigKeplers). Is there any suggestions? I prefer Intel branded motherboards as they work quite well out-of-the-box with Linux. There will be zero overclocking period.

Thanks.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Why do you want 4 such old GPUs? Could you sell what you have and go 2x670?

Either way, you may have to upgrade the CPU to keep up with so much GPU power. Either X79 (only thing with enough lanes to do 16x for four GPUs) or 3570K (to keep up with the power, if you're willing to overclock despite your statement).

 

[snoylekim]

Asus P8Z77-WS ..??

 

[Torn Mind]

x16/x16/x16/x16? Not easy to find, but this $600 board can do quad SLI with that. I think one can say that performance per dollar is quite terrible since you need a processor as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157327

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Yah, sell those off and round up the money for 2 670s

 

[lambchops511]

Why do you want 4 such old GPUs? Could you sell what you have and go 2x670?

Either way, you may have to upgrade the CPU to keep up with so much GPU power. Either X79 (only thing with enough lanes to do 16x for four GPUs) or 3570K (to keep up with the power, if you're willing to overclock despite your statement).

This is not for gaming but rather for CUDA. I already have a GTX 670 and it sucks. GTX 480 is best bang for buck until I can get my hands on BigKepler.

I already have Intel Core-i7 3770, do you suggest me to go Xeon?

 

[lambchops511]

x16/x16/x16/x16? Not easy to find, but this $600 board can do quad SLI with that. I think one can say that performance per dollar is quite terrible since you need a processor as well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157327

x8 speed is OK too, but need physical x16 to fit the video cards.

My CPU is currently LGA1155, does this mean I can't use it and need to buy a new CPU for the 2011 platform?

 

[lambchops511]

Asus P8Z77-WS ..??

this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131822 looks pretty good. a bit pricey, but this is to be expected for 4x PCIE?

 

[snoylekim]

Yes, that one ..set up with the 4 PCIe for things like compute or RAID cards .. pretty solid board ( it's the one in my main rig) ..

 

[Torn Mind]

I take it you have a beefy power supply on hand already? You'll need one with these GTX 480s

 

[lambchops511]

I take it you have a beefy power supply on hand already? You'll need one with these GTX 480s

uh oh. Would a Seasonic x750 work? or do I need a new one too =\

 

[Sleepingforest]

Not for 4x480s. For that, you'd need over 1000W--probably something like this.

 

[Steltek]

Not for 4x480s. For that, you'd need over 1000W--probably something like this.

A Seasonic would be better, in addition to being cheaper after rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151109

 

[Sleepingforest]

Ah. The last time I checked for huge power supplies on Newegg (only a few days ago), the Tt was the best deal. Absolutely go with that Seasonic instead.

 

[mfenn]

What is your CPU usage with 2 cards (post top output)? What about your application design? Are you doing multiple EP jobs across the GPUs or are you wanting one application to use all 4 GPUs simultaneously?

As for the mobo, yes you have to pay to play. Four x8 (electrical) slots requires two PLX chips, and those aren't cheap.

Also, GTX 480's are like 250W each, that's 1000W just for GPUs, so you would need something like that 1250W Seasonic that Stektek posted. GTX 580's are a lot more power efficient in the real-world despite only having a 6W lower TDP.