Can i5 4690 work with 4 NVIDIA GPUs on GA-Z97X-SOC Force

[OClock]

Config - i5 4690 + GA-Z97X-SOC Force + 4 NVIDIA GPUs
Purpose - GPU rendering (octane render), which does not require SLI. Cannot work with ATI. Non-Gaming rig.

Will the i5 4690 work with 4 GPUs on GA-Z97X-SOC Force ? 
I am wondering because the CPU only allows maximum 16 PCI Express lanes, and this motherboard, in a 4 GPUs setup, works in a 8x4x4x4x distribution, which is more than 16x. 

So my query is that, can this motherboard adopt to a 4x4x4x4x distribution in case of an i5 4690 ?

I really hope it can because I dont want to go upto the X99 platforms due to budget constraints. 
And this config is already beyond my budget. 

Thanks for helping guys. Hoping for some responses.

[Enderman]

no, you cannot put 4 nvidia GPUs but yes 4 AMD GPUs

http://www.anandtech.com/show/8176/gigabyte-z97xsoc-force-review

the most you can do is four AMD cards in CFX (x8,x4,x4,x4) or two nvidia cards in SLI (x8,x8)

the last x4 in the AMD config is provided by the PCH chipset

nvidia needs minimum 8x so you can only put 2 cards

 

you CAN however do quad SLI or CFX by using dual-GPU cards

[D3MON]

depends if you can get the 4th card picked up on a pcie 2.0 chipset sepperate from the pch otherwise you're limited to 3 gpus

[OClock]

Thanks Enderman. I guess I will have to rule out this config all together then. 

 

But how about i5 4690 + ASUS Z97 Pro Gamer + 3 NVIDIA GPUs. 

 

The mobo details does not clearly show how it works in a 3 GPU setup.

It does mention 1 GPU setup (x16) and 2 GPUs setup (8x8x), but it doesn't say anything about 3 GPU setup. I am hoping that works as 8x4x4x.

Is that a right assumption ? Ill check some more reviews as well. 

[OClock]

D3MON, The Idea is to add more modern GPUs in the future. So a PCI 2.0 is out of the question. 

That means none of the 4th and 5th gen CPUs can work with 4 GPUs on this motherboard. As they all support either x12 or x16 express lanes. 

[Str_Mape]

Thanks Enderman. I guess I will have to rule out this config all together then.

But how about i5 4690 + ASUS Z97 Pro Gamer + 3 NVIDIA GPUs.

The mobo details does not clearly show how it works in a 3 GPU setup.

It does mention 1 GPU setup (x16) and 2 GPUs setup (8x8x), but it doesn't say anything about 3 GPU setup. I am hoping that works as 8x4x4x.

Is that a right assumption ? Ill check some more reviews as well.

You'll need a motherboard with a dedicated PLX chip to support 3-4 way SLI on a Z87/Z97 board.

Two examples of boards that support 3-4 way SLI are the Asrock Z97 Extreme 9 and the Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming GT

[thekeemo]

You'll need a motherboard with a dedicated PLX chip to support 3-4 way SLI on a Z87/Z97 board.

Two examples of boards that support 3-4 way SLI are the Asrock Z97 Extreme 9 and the Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming GT

it has one

 

yes you can

 

cant recommend the board though

[Str_Mape]

it has one

 

yes you can

 

cant recommend the board though

if you're referring to the SOC Force or the Pro-Gamer neither of them do.

Which board specifically can't you recommend?

 

[thekeemo]

if you're referring to the SOC Force or the Pro-Gamer neither of them do.

Which board specifically can't you recommend?

the soc

Bad bios

Bad software

And incampatible with good stuff

[Str_Mape]

the soc

Bad bios

Bad software

And incampatible with good stuff

Well given that it doesn't have a PLX chip there isn't much point listing other faults it has.

[thekeemo]

Well given that it doesn't have a PLX chip there isn't much point listing other faults it has.

i know for 100% certain it has a chip that allows it to do 4-way sli. I remember seeing a flow chart about and the 4-way sli logo is on the motherboard and the box

[Str_Mape]

i know for 100% certain it has a chip that allows it to do 4-way sli. I remember seeing a flow chart about and the 4-way sli logo is on the motherboard and the box

If it did then it wouldn't have been removed from the MOD24 PC's that were using 3 way SLI before having them shipped out to the winners.

Can you provide some proof to support your argument that is more reliable than Gigabytes website and an Nvidia event?

[thekeemo]

If it did then it wouldn't have been removed from the MOD24 PC's that were using 3 way SLI before having them shipped out to the winners.

Can you provide some proof to support your argument that is more reliable than Gigabytes website and an Nvidia event?

nope I concede. I may just be confused

[OClock]

So I got it confirmed from the Gigabyte facebook page that, I can, infact run 4 NVIDIA GPUs on this motherboard. At x4 x4 x4 x4 ofcourse. 

I am expecting to get at least PCIe v2.0 x4 speeds which means a minimum of 2GB/s transfers into each GPU.

 

The x8 x4 x4 x4 mentioned on the gigabyte website is for SLI config only.

 

So it seems I am good with this motherboard. 

[FLUFFYJELLO]

I have my SOC manual open here in front of me. It supports 3 way SLI, and 4 way CrossFire. No reason why the Force would have lesser specs. But I don't believe it can do 4 way SLI (as it's not listed) because you need at least 8x for each card for it.

Edit: well butter my biscuits, I have the force manual even though I only have regular SOC. Anywho, the regular SOC only sports 2 way SLI (written on the box) manual says the Force can do 3 way.

[OClock]

Fluffy Jello, thanks for referring the manual but I am not going to use SLI. GPU rendering does not need SLI. It gets linearly scaled up without SLI. Which means the GPU rendering software will use all the GPUs available in a system. Without the need of SLI. 

 

This is one of the reason why I am trying to check everywhere. Because of the huge gaming community, all the information on manuals, website, reviews is related to gamers and there requirements. Which means only SLI or CF based information... Not so easy to get non-SLI, multi GPU related information

 

So what you are saying is correct, in an SLI config, I cannot use more than 2 NVIDIA GPUs. 

I am just hoping the Gigabyte guys on facebook are 100% correct, as I have almost decided to purchase this motherboard. 

[han_han08]

go amd gpu's if planning with 3 or 4 gpus in z97 boards..assuming you have enough slots there

 

since you have the money for these number of gpus, you're sure you cant reconsider going into x99 to save yourself from this problem?

 

editL just read that 4x (x4)

[FLUFFYJELLO]

Fluffy Jello, thanks for referring the manual but I am not going to use SLI. GPU rendering does not need SLI. It gets linearly scaled up without SLI. Which means the GPU rendering software will use all the GPUs available in a system. Without the need of SLI.

This is one of the reason why I am trying to check everywhere. Because of the huge gaming community, all the information on manuals, website, reviews is related to gamers and there requirements. Which means only SLI or CF based information... Not so easy to get non-SLI, multi GPU related information

So what you are saying is correct, in an SLI config, I cannot use more than 2 NVIDIA GPUs.

I am just hoping the Gigabyte guys on facebook are 100% correct, as I have almost decided to purchase this motherboard.

Ah, well my mistake. Sorry about that,I wasn't 100% clear on the question so I should have read a little more closely.

Regardless, cheers, sir. Seems like you figured most of it out. Just make sure your case has 8 expansion slots since the final PCIE lane sits at the bottom. Also, you're front panel headers and USB 3.0 header will be difficult to access.

[vembutech]

Hopefully yes you can.

[OClock]

Thanks FLUFFY. I was worried about. The fourth card will be too close to bottom mounted PSU as well. I wont be able to access anything between the fourth card and the PSU it seems. 

I am hoping that the GPUs are slightly raised so that the connectors below the fourth card is accessible. 

 

I am hoping that the motherboard designers and the GPU designers have thought this issue through. fingers crossed.   

 

Otherwise I was also thinking of getting a 9 slot cabinet. It might not solve the 'connector access' issue, but atleast there will be 

ventilation between the PSU and the fourth GPU. 

 

There's 1 USB, 1 COMM, and 1 FAN connector below the last PCIe slot.

check here - http://www.gigabyte.com/fileupload/product/2/4949/10102_big.png

[FLUFFYJELLO]

Thanks FLUFFY. I was worried about. The fourth card will be too close to bottom mounted PSU as well. I wont be able to access anything between the fourth card and the PSU it seems.

I am hoping that the GPUs are slightly raised so that the connectors below the fourth card is accessible.

I am hoping that the motherboard designers and the GPU designers have thought this issue through. fingers crossed.

Otherwise I was also thinking of getting a 9 slot cabinet. It might not solve the 'connector access' issue, but atleast there will be

ventilation between the PSU and the fourth GPU.

There's 1 USB, 1 COMM, and 1 FAN connector below the last PCIe slot.

check here - http://www.gigabyte.com/fileupload/product/2/4949/10102_big.png

Good idea for the case, breathing room is extremely important for setups like this.

As for those connectors, those are what is located directly below the PCIE lane, yes. But the card will extend a few if not several centimeters beyond the length of the lane itself, which can potentially cause some clearance issues. The only thing I can see this being a problem with would be the USB 3.0 header (as I noted before) only because the plugs on most cases tend to sit rather tall. I would give gigabyte the benefit of the doubt with it, but looking at my own board; if I ever tried to run QuadFire with my GPU I'd certainly run into panel header clearance issues. Your miles may vary though.

Cheers

[OClock]

Thanks man. 

Any idea what the COMM connector is for ? Will I be using it for anything ?

Gave a quick glance to the manual. Couldnt find much. Sounds like a legacy connector. 

 

PS: the USB3 connector better be accessible fingers crossed. 

[OClock]

What do you think about the Gainward 970 instead of the ASUS 970 ?

The price difference is huge. I can put that money on other components. 

 

ANy experience with Gainwards ?

[FLUFFYJELLO]

Thanks man. 

Any idea what the COMM connector is for ? Will I be using it for anything ?

Gave a quick glance to the manual. Couldnt find much. Sounds like a legacy connector. 

 

PS: the USB3 connector better be accessible fingers crossed.

  

Not 100% on the COMM port, but I do believe it is legacy. Can't say for sure.

What do you think about the Gainward 970 instead of the ASUS 970 ?

The price difference is huge. I can put that money on other components. 

 

ANy experience with Gainwards ?

I've never heard of Gainwards, up until your posts I didn't know that company existed.. I would always stick with a reference cooler or reputable brand like Gigabyte, MSI, Asus, etc. A GPU is a horrible thing to cut corners on.

[OClock]

Finally built my machine. Wanted to sincerely thank you guys for helping out with all your comments. 

Time to make those GPUs work