3-Way SLI/CF Question

[adnank77]

I'm checking out the manuals of X-99 motherboards out there .. checked Gigabyte and MSI so far (ASUS don't have theirs yet) .. 

 

One thing I find annoying : 

 

When it comes to 3-Way .. Both Gigabyte and MSI have this configuration:

 

5820K: First, Second and Third Slot (Good)

 

5930K: First, Second and Forth Slot ! Third slot has to be left empty .. 

 

Now this means I have to get a case with 8 brackets .. that's OK .. but what is bad is that dual slot cards will definitely Block the headers under the 4th Slot (Fan headers and USB 2 headers) ..

 

Is there a solution for that ? Why is this done anyways ?  

[Freaky_spider]

3 way is pretty useless anyway

[Sauron]

Gpus don't block the headers, don't worry

 

However, I strongly suggest you give up what you were thinking to buy. 3-way sli/crossfire is a waste of money, you really shouldn't do it. Furthermore, I don't recommend jumping on x99 simply because of how expensive ddr4 will be with no positive sides for a couple of years (and to get any benefits you'd need a new set anyway). Crossifre 7970s are still beasts, keep what you have for another couple of years, it will be worth it.

[TheMcSame]

What Sauron said basically.

 

3 way is only useful if you really need it. E.G. Triple G sync monitor setup.

[Enderman]

There is space left between the PGU and the headers. As long as you have everything plugged in before installing the 3rd GPU, you will have no clearance issues.

[adnank77]

Thanks all for the responses ..

I read that 3-Way scales well at higher resolutions. Don't you guys think it would add value at 3440x1440? I'm not expecting 100% but is 40-50% achievable?

[Sauron]

Thanks all for the responses ..

I read that 3-Way scales well at higher resolutions. Don't you guys think it would add value at 3440x1440? I'm not expecting 100% but is 40-50% achievable?

 

40-50% isn't worth the extra money, it is achievable under ideal conditions but it will rarely be the norm. At 3440x1440 you don't need it anyway, 2-way is perfectly fine at that resolution. where 2-way won't cut it is, for example, triple 2560x1440 monitors. But even then 3- or 4-way isn't really worth it. Again, keep what you have, crossfire 7970s are great performers and even at that resolution you shouldn't have problems. Are you having performance issues? Maybe you have some sort of bottleneck elsewhere. Why exactly were you considering to upgrade?

[Sotti]

Hi there,

 

I don´t know what are you talking about guys.

 

I have SLI 780 SC with 4770k everything watercooled and is not enought for 2560x1440p in some games, and you´re saying that 2-way for 3440x1440p is good??

[adnank77]

I want to upgrade now as 7970s still have good value. If I'm late they will sell for peanuts and I'll have to do full investment for new PC ..

[adnank77]

Games run fine now at medium. Most are OK at high too.. but PC kneels at Ultra

[TheMcSame]

Hi there,

 

I don´t know what are you talking about guys.

 

I have SLI 780 SC with 4770k everything watercooled and is not enought for 2560x1440p in some games, and you´re saying that 2-way for 3440x1440p is good??

We aren't saying 2 way is enough, that's more dependant on the card(s) used. We're saying the difference between 2 way and 3 way isn't all that much.