P8Z68-V PRO SLI + PCIe x1 + USB 3.0?

[GoGoris]

Hi, will it be possible to use 1 PCIe x1 slot for my network card, while having 2 GTX570s in SLI and still use the USB 3.0 interface with the asus p8z68-v pro Gen3?
If not I'll probably be buying the p8z68 deluxe, Z68A-GD65/80 (G3)

Thanks in advance,
GoGoris

[puma99dk|]

*2: The PCIe x16_3 slot shares bandwidth with PCIe x1_1 slot, PCIe x1_2 slot, USB3_34 and eSATA. The PCIe x16_3 default setting is in x1 mode.

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Int...specifications

that means they share the bandwidth they got between them, not saying that u can't use it, but i still think u should go with the Deluxe/Gen3 or MSI's serie or something bcs the Deluxe version got PLX chip that makes all the things work with it's full speed not need for any sharing.

[GoGoris]

Originally Posted by puma99dk|

*2: The PCIe x16_3 slot shares bandwidth with PCIe x1_1 slot, PCIe x1_2 slot, USB3_34 and eSATA. The PCIe x16_3 default setting is in x1 mode.

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Int...specifications

that means they share the bandwidth they got between them, not saying that u can't use it, but i still think u should go with the Deluxe/Gen3 or MSI's serie or something bcs the Deluxe version got PLX chip that makes all the things work with it's full speed not need for any sharing.

But I'm only going to use the PCIe x16 1 & 2 and the first pcie x1 slot (DWA-556), and USB 3.0 of course. So not the third PCIe x16 slot... Or does this still uses the chips bandwith to much?

[entropy13]

Originally Posted by GoGoris

But I'm only going to use the PCIe x16 1 & 2 and the first pcie x1 slot (DWA-556), and USB 3.0 of course. So not the third PCIe x16 slot... Or does this still uses the chips bandwith to much?

If your network card only needs PCIe x1, then that board is enough. The third PCIe x16 slot would be running at x1 since the other PCIe x16 slots are used.

[GoGoris]

Thanks, I searched this network card because it will cause problems with the space needed for sli cooling if I installed it in the other slots.

[puma99dk|]

GoGoris this is what the PLX chip does:

With PLX chip:


Without PLX chip:


but as entropy13 says it will work, just to give u a look in what the chip does.

[GoGoris]

Thanks, I don't care that the PCI-E x4 slot runs at x1 because I'll not use it, so I'll not have any problems.

[puma99dk|]

good, and even if it runs x1 u can still use it for something u need it one day

[GoGoris]

Originally Posted by puma99dk|

good, and even if it runs x1 u can still use it for something u need it one day

indeed

And again, thanks for helping me with this problem everyone. I found it nowhere...

[puma99dk|]

yw GoGoris always happy to help, and i hope u will be happy with the board and for PCI-E Gen3 u need a Ivy Bridge cpu to make the slot run as gen3, just if u didn't knew ^^;

[GoGoris]

Yes, I know that already. I'm still going to decide if it is worth the extra 10€. But for I may buy my new pc, I have to do my exams: it's next week. Wish me luck!

[SnowJim]

Hi,

Im thinking of buying the Asus P8Z68-V PRO but om not clear on this PLX chip.

What does PCI-E x1 and x4 mean? Is it the bandwidth? I have seend 16x in relations to PCI-E 3.0 but I know that alof of mb do not run PCI-E at full speed.

Anyway say that I connect the following :

1 PCI-E Highend Grapic card
1 PCI-E Soundcard

Will this work without disabling any feutures or working on a lower bandwidh?

If I do the following

2 PCI-e Highend Graphic cards (SLI)
1 PCI-E Soundcard

Will this mean that the Graphiccards works on full speed but the USB 3.0 and the eSATA will be switched of becouse we are using 1 PCI-E soundcard?

[puma99dk|]

u will do SLi in x8/x8 mode as always, it's only that the Black PCI-Express x16 slot running x4 that will run x1 mode when u use USB 3.0 and eSATA, and u can use the top PCI-Express x1 for ur audiocard.

[SnowJim]

Originally Posted by puma99dk|

u will do SLi in x8/x8 mode as always, it's only that the Black PCI-Express x16 slot running x4 that will run x1 mode when u use USB 3.0 and eSATA, and u can use the top PCI-Express x1 for ur audiocard.

Okay so when using sli the full speed of x16 will be split, do this apply to all motherboards? Is there a need to have more then x8 today? I supose that when using the black PCI-ex port for a third graphiccard(if its even possible on this mb) the x16 will be split on 3?

So if I use PCI-e 1 and 2 for SLI and then maby PCI2 for a soundcard there will be no problems? All will be running on full speed?

But If I place the soundcard in the black PCI-e (PCI-e 3) then USB3.0 and eSATA will be desabled, the PCI-e will however still run at full speed?

[puma99dk|]

running x8/x8 doesn't limit performance that much and even in some games u get higher FPS than running through a Lucid Lucia 200 or Nvidia NF200 chip that makes both cards running x16/x16.

when u plug a PCI-Express x1 card in a PCI-Express x4 or x16 slot it will only run x1 but it should limit the top PCI-Express x16 to x8.

but it should also work in the PCI-Express x16 (PCIE_3) port on the board without disabling USB3.0 and eSATA bcs while USB3.0 and eSATA is running it will limit the PCIE_3 port til x1 instead of x4.

as this pic should explain that i linked earlier:



that's how things work with a PLX chip here is how it works with PLX Chip on the board: