4690k SLI config

[Acerpwns]

So my mobo has 2 PCIE 16x and 2 PCIE 8x slots. If i SLI and put the 970s in the 16x slots will they run at 16x or will they run at 8x because of the limit of PCIE lanes supported by the processor?

[i_build_nanosuits]

8x which is perfectly fine you won't loose any performance go ahead.

[Lord Pantaloons]

They would run at x8 but you don't have to worry about losing any performance.

[Acerpwns]

8x which is perfectly fine you won't loose any performance go ahead.

im guessing i would need an X79 or X99 for 16x Dual SLI. Whats the performance difference exactly between 16x and 8x?

[Enderman]

im guessing i would need an X79 or X99 for 16x Dual SLI. Whats the performance difference exactly between 16x and 8x?

none.

it only matters if you are using 3 or more GPUs.

[mariohead123]

im guessing i would need an X79 or X99 for 16x Dual SLI. Whats the performance difference exactly between 16x and 8x?

You should be a-okay friend, I don't believe you will run into a problem with dual sli at those bandwidths.

[Acerpwns]

none.

it only matters if you are using 3 or more GPUs.

well if the performance is negligible then i will most likely SLI.

[kameshss]

2 Way SLIs at 8x speed is good. No dropdowns. Go for it.

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[i_build_nanosuits]

im guessing i would need an X79 or X99 for 16x Dual SLI. Whats the performance difference exactly between 16x and 8x?

even with two GTX 980's in SLI you are looking at a smaller than 3% performance hit...it's negligible at best.

[Acerpwns]

even with two GTX 980's in SLI you are looking at a smaller than 3% performance hit...it's negligible at best.

i was just trying to make a point that it seems like you must have enthusiasts grade stuff for 16x dual SLI. Im perfectly fine with 8x on my Z97

[Najuno]

i was just trying to make a point that it seems like you must have enthusiasts grade stuff for 16x dual SLI. Im perfectly fine with 8x on my Z97

If you are looking for being a die hard benchmarker then it makes a difference because you´ll lose from PCIe 3.0 16x to 8x about 2-4% of performance. In every other case you are going to be perfectly fine because a normal user should not care about epeen . And of course if it´s going to be more than 2 GPUs down the road you would need an enthusiast grade CPU and mainboard.

[Acerpwns]

If you are looking for being a die hard benchmarker then it makes a difference because you´ll lose from PCIe 3.0 16x to 8x about 2-4% of performance. In every other case you are going to be perfectly fine because a normal user should not care about epeen . And of course if it´s going to be more than 2 GPUs down the road you would need an enthusiast grade CPU and mainboard.

well yeah if course you need enthusiasts grade components for triple or quad SLI but i mean... dual...?

[airdeano]

im guessing i would need an X79 or X99 for 16x Dual SLI.

 

not really, there are Z87/Z97 mobos with capability to run 3/4-way and 2x

SLI/CFX at x16. those motherboards use a PLX chip to simulate more

lanes, but the added latency can negate the whole ordeal.

 

just go with the x8/x8 for the sheer cost effectivness.

the 3/4-way mobos are expensive, ASUS Maximus VI, Z87/Z97 WS,

Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming G1, Z87X OC Force, and others..

[Najuno]

well yeah if course you need enthusiasts grade components for triple or quad SLI but i mean... dual...?

For dual it makes only sense if you are going to benchmark more on the pro side, and want to be in the world ranks in the top 100 or so. This is one of the reason why I bought X99.