Multiple PCIe slots and GPU Folding

[chuckerants]

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on another Folding box. I see that there a few Mobo/CPU combos on the Classified right now and I'm wondering if I can run 3 GPUs on any of the MoBos that have 3 PCIe slots?

Will it Fold using a GTX 970 and on:

PCIe x16
PCIe x16
PCIe x 8
or even PCIe x4?

How about PCIe 2.0?

 

[Macaholic]

Yes to all of the above, but it would help to know what MB(s) you are looking at in order to give you a more detailed answer as to what to expect. You might want to read the article found here.

 

[chuckerants]

I'm looking at these:

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/...ormance-i5-4430-Corsair-Veng-2x4gig-DDR3-1600

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/...ock-Fatal1ty-990FX-Killer-Motherboard-FX-8120

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R

ASUS Rampage III Formula

Again, I'm trying to maximize the number of 970s I can Fold with on a single MoBo. There is a eATX mobo for sale, but the fact that I can't get it to fit in a regular case is a deal killer.

 

[machausta]

You know, I think that guy with the FX-8120 and 990FX Fatal1ty Killer will give a better deal for a folder such as yourself...

 

[chuckerants]

This is what the specs say about that:

3 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE3 @ x16 mode; PCIE5 @ x4 mode)

So
PCIe 2.0 x16
PCIe 2.0 x16
PCIe 2.0 x 4

Any other thoughts? I wonder what the PPD on the FX-8120 might be?

You know, I think that guy with the FX-8120 and 990FX Fatal1ty Killer will give

a better deal for a folder such as yourself...

 

[machausta]

I'm looking at these:

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/...ormance-i5-4430-Corsair-Veng-2x4gig-DDR3-1600

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/...ock-Fatal1ty-990FX-Killer-Motherboard-FX-8120

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R

ASUS Rampage III Formula

Again, I'm trying to maximize the number of 970s I can Fold with on a single MoBo. There is a eATX mobo for sale, but the fact that I can't get it to fit in a regular case is a deal killer.

So the H87 Performance has 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16, 1 PCIe 2.0 x16, 2 PCIe 2.0 x1

The Fatal1ty killer has 3 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slots (PCIE2/PCIE3 @ x16 mode; PCIE5 @ x4 mode) 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 Slots

The Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R has 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 2 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8

The Asus supports 2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 one running at x8 and 1 x PCI Express 1x slot

- - - Updated - - -

I hear a 970 in an x4 slot loses around 20% (220k PPD) if I take this person's word for it.

 

[chuckerants]

The Gigabyte has 4 PCIe 2.0 x16 slots and if 4 GPUs are running:

2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x16 (PCIEX16_1/PCIEX16_2) (Note 1)
2 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8_1/PCIEX8_2) (Note 2)

(Note 1) For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16_1 slot; if you are installing two PCI Express graphics cards, it is recommended that you install them in the PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX16_2 slots.

(Note 2) The PCIEX8_1 and PCIEX8_2 slots share bandwidth with the PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX16_2 slots respectively. When PCIEX8_1 is populated with an expansion card, the PCIEX16_1 slot will operate at up to x8 mode; when PCIEX8_2 is populated with an expansion card, the PC IEX16_2 slot will operate at up to x8 mode.

So it actually sounds like the Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R will allow me to run 4 x GTX970s with very little loss of PPD across the 4 cards.

 

[JrClocker]

4 x GTX 970s will put off a lot of heat! Just make sure you look at case air flow too.

If the cards are air cooled and side by side (i.e. 40 mm apart...standard 2 PCI spacing), the card on "the top" has difficulty getting air intake into its fans. You will have to run the fans at almost max speed to keep them cool (and max speed is pretty loud!)

Good luck!

 

[chuckerants]

I plan on using risers as I get more than 2 cards and just leaving the case wide open and in the garage with a box fan pointed at it. Plus I'm hard of hearing so the noise won't be bothering me much.

4 x GTX 970s will put off a lot of heat! Just make sure you look at case air flow too.

If the cards are air cooled and side by side (i.e. 40 mm apart...standard 2 PCI spacing), the card on "the top" has difficulty getting air intake into its fans. You will have to run the fans at almost max speed to keep them cool (and max speed is pretty loud!)

Good luck!

 

[chuckerants]

Looks like I bought a i7 920 and a Gigabyte MoBo.

Now I just need to add 970s as I get the funds. Sorry ConundrumLR, t1nm4n, Jaymz9350 and JrClocker.

 

[t1nm4n]

Could you wait a year so I can get a lil closer, this will you give you plenty of time to get funds for 970s, and more time for me to get another machine up and running also .

 

[JrClocker]

Looks like I bought a i7 920 and a Gigabyte MoBo.

Now I just need to add 970s as I get the funds. Sorry ConundrumLR, t1nm4n, Jaymz9350 and JrClocker.

View attachment 175875

My oldest daughter is getting married in April (36 days!)...after that's paid off, I'm getting AT LEAST 1 more 980 Ti...vroom!

My funding for a new dedicated folding machine (in honor of my mother) is confirmed...just need the cash to come through...

Enjoy your temporary victory...muhuhuhahahaha

 

[Macaholic]

Shiny! I love shiny! Me likey this thread!

 

[chuckerants]

Everything in life is temporary, so I do intend to enjoy it.

Enjoy your temporary victory...muhuhuhahahaha