SLI problems Asus Motherboard

[simmo]

I have recently bought 2xGigabyte 460's to SLI them in a Asus P6X58 Premium mainboard.

Problem 1 is the cards are a non reference card and there are no waterblocks that fit.
Problem 2 is the shrouds on the fans are huge and the gap on the top 2x16 lane slots are not so it appears they can't be fitted there.
Problem 3 is if I use the bottom slot then I lose USB connect 2 x Sata connects and the connect for the external I/O on the top of the case not to mention is 4 lane only.

So how Asus can market this and claim its an SLI capable board is a bit of a mystery insofar that most cards are taking up 2 slots and the goddam slots are to close.

Next motherboard I buy won't be an Asus..I've had another back in the day of 478 pin and it also was problematic.

I've since used DFI and Gigabyte and had no problems with either so be warned guys if you are buying a X58 board and you want to run SLI with 460's check out your cards carefully and stay away from Asus.

I have heard the EVGA 460 EE (external exhaust) fit alright in this board but I now have to sell these as I bought them from OCAU forums so they can't be returned.
They will fit a Rampage 3 Xtreme also but bugger me thats a $500 board or something and ummm it's also Asus.

 

[simmo]

OK Went and picked the cards up..with a little bit of fiddling it is possible to shoehorn these sod's into the 2x16 slots. However I'm waiting on a SLI bridge as Asus supply a triple card connector only.
I had to mount the top card as hi up as the bracket would allow and mount the second down as far as the bracket would allow.
Theres like sfa clearance between the fans on the top card and the top of the bottom card so I guess I will have to wait for the bridge. I think I have a flexible one inbound. If its a solid one this may still be a no go.
O?C'ing them is probably out of the question tho on account of the increase in heat. One thing at a time tho lol

 

[hunuok]

You are correct in saying that cards in slots 1 and 2 are a tight fit.

AFAIK, most mbs use the same config, with the exception of Asus Supercomputer or EVGA SL2 which have 7 PCIe slots.

However, you can use slots 1 and 3 for SLI/CF configs.

You will lose x16 bandwidth in the 3rd slot however it should be auto adjusted to a x8 bandwidth. You should be able to configure these settings in BIOS. Else, it's AUTO.

Performance wise, a x16 x8 config will lose you about 5% max in performance.

I would recommend you install in slots 1 and 3 and use the tri SLI bridge. Then you can OC.

Good luck.

 

[simmo]

Cant use the triple bridge..i tried and its not an option...and besides in the bottom slot it knocks out connectors I use...secondly NV have just released the 570 and I bet the 560 is just around the corner so I sorta think these 2 will be going to a new home very soon..it the price is good and IF its possible I'll triple card the 560's.
Unless NV gimp that option.

 

[hunuok]

The cards you are using are standard double slot width.

It's a tight squeeze, but you can SLI/CF in slots 1 and 3 WITHOUT "knocking out" connections.

Also, I'm not sure if GTX560s are Tri SLI capable (release Q1 2011). GTX460s are only SLI capable.

If you swap/sell/RMA/step up to other cards I think you will have exactly the same problem.

I hope you sort things out soon.

 

[Lordbob75]

Sounds to me like you should have considered what you wanted to do with the cards and motherboard before you bought them.

Next time, look for a motherboard with the PCIe x16 slots at least 2 slots apart (meaning 1 slot in between for space), and make sure your cards can support the water block you want (they CAN fit one now by the way).

~Lordbob

 

[simmo]

The cards you are using are standard double slot width.

It's a tight squeeze, but you can SLI/CF in slots 1 and 3 WITHOUT "knocking out" connections.

Also, I'm not sure if GTX560s are Tri SLI capable (release Q1 2011). GTX460s are only SLI capable.

If you swap/sell/RMA/step up to other cards I think you will have exactly the same problem.

I hope you sort things out soon.

Well seeing as you were so sure I can fit this card into the bottom slot....I tried ...and it does indeed knock out the connectors I use namely a USB connection and the sata connection I use (could change that one but not the USB)

I am sorta figuring NV will not have the 560 enabled for triple card SLI like the 460 but they could surprise us,unlikely as that is. If you want to run triple it appears NV are gunna just make sure you have to use the most expensive card they sell .

Presently mulling over whether to sell these or just buy a desktop fan and run the PC with the side off. Decisions decisions lol

 

[simmo]

Sounds to me like you should have considered what you wanted to do with the cards and motherboard before you bought them.

Next time, look for a motherboard with the PCIe x16 slots at least 2 slots apart (meaning 1 slot in between for space), and make sure your cards can support the water block you want (they CAN fit one now by the way).

~Lordbob

I did research sorta, not well enough ..what I didnt allow for is these cards dont EE the heat..The GPU fans simply blow the heat out into the case..and
the slots are too close..One would assume that Asus would know that the cards were double slot better spacing would have been nice..and Gigabyte not putting a fan shroud on that actually exhausted the heat outside your case...EVGA apparently can so no kudos for Gigabyte.
Had no intention of watercooling them btw initially..that came into play when I realised the likelihood of excessive heat and as Asus/Gigabyte both use a non reference card design W/C isnt an option. EK make full cover W/C blocks but they cant be fitted.
Lesson I have learned is (1) dont buy non reference cards in future and (2) don't buy cards that exhaust the heat internally.