PCIE Error

Aaron2810 · April 10, 2020

Hello Everyone!

I am having quite the strange error arise. Back in 2014 I built my system and have just kept upgrading as need persist. Right now I am faced of an issue where I have finally run out of expansion slots. I have an MSI Z97 G45 board which has 4 PCIe x1 gen 2 slots, and 3 PCIe x16 slots. I currently have a wifi card in one PCIe x1 and a usb hub in another. In two of the X16 slots I have GTX 970s in dual SLI. My issue at hand is that my GPUs cover two of the pci x1 slots, and I have to install a usb c PCIe x4 card for a new audio interface that is coming in. I tried to use it in the third PCIe X16 slot, but when attempting to run it my PC uninstalled my graphics drivers. After a reinstall, I found that I was not able to use SLI with the usb c card in the third PCIe x16 slot. As I see it, my only options are to either buy a new/used mobo LGA 1150, or look at PCIe x1 to x4 risers. The issue I see there is that there might be a bottleneck with the USB C speeds. I haven't used the MSATA slot so that is also an option if anyone knows of an adapter. Here are the two risers I have been looking at. If anyone else has any suggestions, I am open.

https://www.amazon.com/GLOTRENDS-Extension-Limited-Installation-UEX105/dp/B07N39KWHZ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=pcie%2B1%2Bto%2B4&qid=1586481820&s=electronics&sr=1-1&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Express-Switch-Multiplier-Splitter-Riser/dp/B073QMF2R2/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=pcie+1+to+4&qid=1586481820&s=electronics&sr=1-4

System Specs
CPU:
Intel I7-4790k
RAM:
32gb DDR3 1600Mhz (4x 8GB)

GPU:

2x- EVGA GTX 970sc

Boot:
Samsung SSD 850 Pro 256gb
HDD:
WD Black 2tb
WD Blue 1tb
WD Blue 1tb
WD Red 3tb
Seagate 3tb

PSU:
Corsair RM1000W
Extra:

TP-Link Archer T9E AC1900 WiFi card
Inateck Superspeed 7 Ports PCI-E to USB3.0

AbydosOne · April 10, 2020

1 hour ago, Aaron2810 said:

usb c PCIe x4 card for a new audio interface that is coming in

Is there a reason why you couldn't use a USB-C to A cable/adapter with it and hook it up to an existing USB 3.0 type-A port? That might get around all the issues entirely.

Alternatively, could you use this bracket with this cable plugged into the two internal ports of your Inateck card?

What's the model of audio interface (just 'cause I curious)? Unless it's something super serious, I doubt they're actually needing a true USB 3.1G2 connection.

45 minutes ago, Aaron2810 said:

I have GTX 970s in dual SLI

It's kicking you out of SLI when you have the USB-C card installed because you motherboard goes to x8/x4/x4, and 8 in the minimum for SLI.

If I were use, I'd ask myself if I were actually using SLI to a useful extent anymore (from what I understand, it's a dying tech), and think about a single GPU upgrade that could provide the same amount of power. Something like a 2060 or a 5700 (maybe even a little lower) would probably be beyond what dual 970s could ever provide.

Aaron2810 · April 10, 2020

9 hours ago, AbydosOne said:

Is there a reason why you couldn't use a USB-C to A cable/adapter with it and hook it up to an existing USB 3.0 type-A port? That might get around all the issues entirely.

Alternatively, could you use this bracket with this cable plugged into the two internal ports of your Inateck card?

What's the model of audio interface (just 'cause I curious)? Unless it's something super serious, I doubt they're actually needing a true USB 3.1G2 connection.

It's kicking you out of SLI when you have the USB-C card installed because you motherboard goes to x8/x4/x4, and 8 in the minimum for SLI.

If I were use, I'd ask myself if I were actually using SLI to a useful extent anymore (from what I understand, it's a dying tech), and think about a single GPU upgrade that could provide the same amount of power. Something like a 2060 or a 5700 (maybe even a little lower) would probably be beyond what dual 970s could ever provide.

The issue is latency speed between the audio interface and the DAW. Recording bit-rate is lower over USB 3.0 so the audio quality would diminish.

It's a MOTU M4. It's one of the first to Utilize the 10GB speeds of USB C.

It makes sense to find another GPU. My only issue is I don't want to have to pay for a new one lol

AbydosOne · April 10, 2020

1 hour ago, Aaron2810 said:

Recording bit-rate is lower over USB 3.0 so the audio quality would diminish.

24-bit, 192kHz audio is 4.6Mbps. USB 2.0 is 480Mbps. USB 3.0 is not really going to make a difference here, let alone 3.1G2.

1 hour ago, Aaron2810 said:

It's one of the first to Utilize the 10GB speeds of USB C.

I think you may have USB-C (the physical connector) mixed up with USB 3.1 Gen 2 (the digital protocol). I can't find anything to suggest that the M4 runs at any speed faster than USB 2.0 speeds. See below, from the MOTU website: