Hi all.
I have a question in regards to the SLI features I will be enabling in my new computer system. This post will consist of general components, researched information from default manufacture websites, and research done on my own. Onto the show…
Motherboard: [CrossFireX/SLI] GigaByte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 mATX MB w/ Lucid Virtu Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 2x SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe, 1 PCIe X4 & 1 PCIe X1
* Supports Core i7/Core i5/ Core i3 processors
* Intel Z68 Express Chipset
* Support Dual channel memory architecture for DDR3 2133/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz
* High Definition Audio Realtek 2/4/5.1/7.1 channel with S/PDIF Out
* 1 x RJ45 LAN Realtek RTL8111E chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
* 1 x PCI Express x16 slot @ x16, 1 x PCI Express x16 slot @ x8, 1 x PCI Express x1 slots
* Supports both ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI technology
* 2x SATA 6Gb/s and 4x SATA 3Gb/s
* 12 USB 2.0/1.1 and 2 USB 3.0/2.0 ports
* 2x IEEE 1394a ports
* 1 x DVI-D port supporting a maximum resolution of 19201200
* 1 x HDMI supporting a maximum resolution of 19201200
* 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
* 1 x D-Sub port
Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30 GHz 6M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155
Memory: 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair XMS Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader)
Cooling: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA) (Dual Standard 120MM Fans (Push-Pull)
Video Card 1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card [+256] (EVGA Superclocked)
Video Card 2: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card [+256] (EVGA Superclocked)
This is the first computer I’ve built since the AMD Barton 2500+ unlocked processor days and PC3200 Memory. 🙂 AGP was the norm, and PCIe was just becoming feasible for the consumer base.
My main concern is with the motherboard. The motherboard has 2 PCIe x 16 Gen 2 slots … one would assume that the aforementioned video cards will perform just fine. The motherboard is Z68 chip set and does have SLI support. In regards to PCI Express, the x factor represents the amount of lanes transmitting data in 8 bit parities. (2 by 2 method).
My question: If one PCIe slot is set to 16x @ 16x and the other PCIe slot is set to 16x @ 8x as the specifications of the motherboard indicate, I am assuming the SLI feature of the dual video cards will operate at 16x @ 8x speeds. Is this normal? Will this cause performance issues? I attempted to find a motherboard that had (2) PCIe 16x @ 16x, and for the highest end motherboard, I could not find one, $350+ … Perhaps I am just incorrect in my understanding of how it all works, perhaps SLI support 16x @ 8x is actually normal. I just don’t have the experience, your advice and input is appreciated.
Michael