Need ATX x299 mobo compatible with FE video cards

[eco_bach]

Hi
About to upgrade my system to use the new Intel i9 7980 CPU. I also have 3 FE video cards(GTX 1080).
I know I need to get a ATX compatible x299 mbo and also it needs to accommodate at least 3 GPU's ( ideally only using the 1st 3 of 4 PCIE slots, so the 4th slot remains open!)

Initially chose the MSI X299 XPOWER GAMING AC LGA 206
https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144072

I believe the same one reviewed on this site
http://www.overclockers.com/msi-x299-gaming-m7-ack-review/

but apparently it DOES NOT support FE video cards (see the comment on the new eg link)

Can anyone share their recommendations?

 

[ssjwizard]

Do not trust newegg reviews completely. PCIe cards are PCIe cards. If the HW is compatible with your OS and you have a free PCIe slot it works plain and simple.

So if your MOBO has the required number of slots then you are good to go.

 

[jiccman1965]

I like this one, ASUS ROG RAMPAGE VI APEX LGA 2066 Intel X299 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard

 

[Johan45]

Actually this is the one I reviewed https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144052
I really like the board too. Not sure about the one you linked but the one I reviewed the "shrouding" on that side of the motherboard is 2 seperate pieces. If the piece on the ends of the PCIe slots is interfering then it can be removed still leaving the shroud on the IO intact.

 

[eco_bach]

I like this one, ASUS ROG RAMPAGE VI APEX LGA 2066 Intel X299 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard

Thanks! So do I...however only 4 RAM slots means I would need to invest in new 16GB SIMMS to get my previous 64Gb!
may I ask what memory you use?

- - - Updated - - -

Actually this is the one I reviewed https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144052
I really like the board too. Not sure about the one you linked but the one I reviewed the "shrouding" on that side of the motherboard is 2 seperate pieces. If the piece on the ends of the PCIe slots is interfering then it can be removed still leaving the shroud on the IO intact.

Thanks. May consider but with 3GPU's would have to use the 4th PCIE slot for the 3rd GPU by the looks of it. Trying to avoid that since filling the last PCIE slot in all boards I've seen obstructs access to audio, USB 3, power switch connectors at bottom.

 

[Johan45]

So slot spacing. You're running 3 cards on air I take it
How about this one https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813145020

 

[eco_bach]

So slot spacing. You're running 3 cards on air I take it
How about this one https://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813145020

Thanks! yes slot spacing
Notice there is an almost similar but more expensive model
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813145013

Currently run an ASUS X99-A2 and was shocked when trying to install a 3rd GPU with the blocked connectors issue.
Any BIOS disadvantages with Gigabyte vs Asus? O notice several negative comments in regards to OC'ing these Gigabyte boards.

Perhaps i should consider the Asus ROS Rampage and get new RAM?

 

[Johan45]

Typically on these boards you have to watch the slot assignment as well. Not sure you will want one of the cards in an X4 slot either
1 x16
2 x16
3 x4
4 x8

 

[eco_bach]

Typically on these boards you have to watch the slot assignment as well. Not sure you will want one of the cards in an X4 slot either
1 x16
2 x16
3 x4
4 x8

Thanks!
The specs seem somewhat confusing. From the picture it looks like there are 5 PCIE slots total. What happens if I put a GPU in slots 1, 2 and 4?

2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 (PCIEX16_1, PCIEX16_2)
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8)
2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x4 (PCIEX4_1, PCIEX4_2)
(All of the PCI Express x16 slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
* The PCIEX4_1 slot shares bandwidth with the M2M_32G connector. The PCIEX4_1 slot becomes unavailable when a device is installed in the M2M_32G connector.
* Refer to "1-6 Setting up AMD CrossFire™/NVIDIA® SLI™ Configuration," for the installation notices for the PCI Express x16 slots.

 

[Woomack]

I have 1080Ti FE and had no issues on ASUS X299 TUF2 and ASRock X299 Taichi XE. I like Taichi XE some more. ASUS Strix and all non-ROG boards share the same PCB so should work the same.
On ASRock when you use cards in 3 PCIE slots then 1st will be x8, 2nd ( slot 2 or 3 ) will be x8 or x16 , 3rd ( slot 5 ) will be x8. On Taichi XE can set 1/2/3/5 slots as X8 or X16. I was setting them using 1080Ti and NVMe SSD as 8/8/8/8.

https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/X299 Taichi XE/index.asp

 

[WhitehawkEQ]

Do not trust newegg reviews completely. PCIe cards are PCIe cards. If the HW is compatible with your OS and you have a free PCIe slot it works plain and simple.

So if your MOBO has the required number of slots then you are good to go.

In the reviews

Cons: Will not work with a Nvidia GTX 1080Ti Founders Edition in slot 1. The plastic shroud over the audio and I/O area is made where there is a raised area where it blocks the card from seating. Tried moving the card to the other 16x slot but it is not detected during post. There is probably a dependency on Slot 1 for video. I could remove the shroud but that ruins the aesthetics of the board.