SLI and my motherboard

[jc695]

If I buy a motherboard that has three PCIex16 slots does it matter which ones I put two videocards in for an SLI setup?

 

[Stumps]

no it doesn't matter

 

[nefariouscaine]

what motherboard do you have? - it does matter depending on the model

 

[jc695]

Originally posted by: nefariouscaine
what motherboard do you have? - it does matter depending on the model

I am considering buying the Rampage II Extreme
http://www.trustedreviews.com/...le/inline/9209-top.jpg

I want to use the white PCIex1 slot. The card I have won't fit into the black PCIex1 slot because of the heat sink on the motherboard.

I can't use the PCIex16 to the right of the white PCIex1 slot because it will block the white PCIex1 slot.

Can I put both videocards into the two PCIex16 slots to the left of the white PCIex1 slot?

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: jc695

Originally posted by: nefariouscaine
what motherboard do you have? - it does matter depending on the model

I am considering buying the Rampage II Extreme
http://www.trustedreviews.com/...le/inline/9209-top.jpg

I want to use the white PCIex1 slot. The card I have won't fit into the black PCIex1 slot because of the heat sink on the motherboard.

I can't use the PCIex16 to the right of the white PCIex1 slot because it will block the white PCIex1 slot.

Can I put both videocards into the two PCIex16 slots to the left of the white PCIex1 slot?

depends on what case you have, using the bottom x16 slot will cause many issues if you are using a double slot cooler video card...primarly you wont be able to install it in to your case because the slot sits too low on the mobo.

 

[sgrinavi]

Originally posted by: jc695
If I buy a motherboard that has three PCIex16 slots does it matter which ones I put two videocards in for an SLI setup?

got manual?

 

[jc695]

I don't have a manual because I haven't bought it yet.

I posted this message on the Asus forums and they said...

You could but they'd run with reduced bandwidth.

PCIe slot 1 is 16x Slot 2 is 16x But when slot 3 is used slot 2&3 run at 8x. Slots 2&3 share one 16x lane.

So I guess with this mobo I have to put my first and second video cards into the "blue" PCIe16 slots.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/...le/inline/9209-top.jpg

I read another guy modified his motherboard by trimming down the heat sink so his sound card would fit into the "black" PCIe1 so I guess that is what I have to do if I buy this board.

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: jc695
I don't have a manual because I haven't bought it yet.

I posted this message on the Asus forums and they said...

You could but they'd run with reduced bandwidth.

PCIe slot 1 is 16x Slot 2 is 16x But when slot 3 is used slot 2&3 run at 8x. Slots 2&3 share one 16x lane.

So I guess with this mobo I have to put my first and second video cards into the "blue" PCIe16 slots.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/...le/inline/9209-top.jpg

I read another guy modified his motherboard by trimming down the heat sink so his sound card would fit into the "black" PCIe1 so I guess that is what I have to do if I buy this board.

not a good idea if you want any warranty with your board

why not just use the soundcard in the bottom x16 slot (assuming you are using a pci-e soundcard) it will work perfectly fine in that slot

 

[jc695]

Originally posted by: Stumps
why not just use the soundcard in the bottom x16 slot (assuming you are using a pci-e soundcard) it will work perfectly fine in that slot

Ok, I didn't know you could do that.

 

[jc695]

If anyone has a PCIe1 device that they can't fit in the first PCIe1 slot because of the heat sink here is a link to a modification that one guy did to his board...

http://vip.asus.com/forum/view...page=1&SLanguage=en-us

...I haven't tried it so I can't vouch for it.