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Will 2 x GPUs and 2 x m.2 SSDs on an Asus Maximus XI Formula?

adulaamin

adulaamin

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System Name Mine/Hers
Processor 9800X3D/9800X3D
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Software Windows 11
Hi! I've got 2 x 1080TIs and 2 x 1tb Samsung 970 EVO Plus m.2 NVME SSDs which I'm planning to all use in an Asus Maximus XI Formula board. I will not be using any other SATA drives and I will use the onboard m.2 slots. Will it work or will I have any issues?

Thanks!
 
the manual will explain the various combinations and speeds.
If you have the needed slots it will work, but sometimes the "declared" speeds are divided and thus lowered (X16, x8, x4). Download the manual if you ain't got it.
 
Everything will work, but with small caveats.
GPUs will both work at x8 link instead of x16 link. People who are really committed to making a solid SLI build prefer HEDT platforms where (assuming proper cpu) both gpus work at x16.

Attempt to raid0 the nvme drives will be mostly pointless - the dmi link (connection between cpu and chipset) tops at about 4GB/s. For drives that almost fully saturate PCIe 3.0 x4 link the only raid that makes sense is raid1. Non-raid mode for these is preferred.
 
Flaky said:
Everything will work, but with small caveats.
GPUs will both work at x8 link instead of x16 link. People who are really committed to making a solid SLI build prefer HEDT platforms where (assuming proper cpu) both gpus work at x16.

Attempt to raid0 the nvme drives will be mostly pointless - the dmi link (connection between cpu and chipset) tops at about 4GB/s. For drives that almost fully saturate PCIe 3.0 x4 link the only raid that makes sense is raid1. Non-raid mode for these is preferred.
Click to expand...

I don't plan to RAID the drives. I'll use them individually. I guess everything will work then with the caveat that the m.2 drives will only run slower is that correct? I'm quite sure I won't feel the difference anyway. :)
 
If used individually, the speed might be capped only if you would read lots of data from both drives at once. So yeah, probably won't happen.
 
adulaamin said:
I don't plan to RAID the drives. I'll use them individually. I guess everything will work then with the caveat that the m.2 drives will only run slower is that correct? I'm quite sure I won't feel the difference anyway. :)
Click to expand...
What does the manual say?

Typically you will lose a sata port or two when using both m.2 devices.
 
1080ti doesn't max out PCIe 3 x8. Don't worry about it.
 
EarthDog said:
Great catch! Everyone was thinking lane splits etc. :)
Click to expand...


Actually I am wrong it just doesn't look like it will fit... also the manual doesn't really clarify what speeds they will run at only that sata 2 will be disabled when run in sata mode. ok after reading through my manual some more it disables sata 5/6 as well when 2 are in use no mention of speeds though.

1546748247lb7v7dm79s_1_19_l.jpg
 
It's no different than using a single card with the same setup. x8/x8 for sli. Both NVME drives will work fine, just set them up correctly in the bios so they both get x4 lanes. It's in the manual.
 
oxrufiioxo said:
also the manual doesn't really clarify what speeds
Click to expand...
The manual will explain what speeds the lanes will run in SLI and IF there is a speed change on the M.2, it will (should) note it also. I haven't looked it up for this board specficially, nor have I reviewed it, but I know the information the OP needs is, like Ragu... "It's in there!" :)
 
Will they what?
 
I asked Samsung why I was getting zilch out of 256 GB 850 Pro's in RAID 0 ... seemed not worth not being able to use the Samsing utilities. Their answer stated:

1. Utilities do not work with RAID

2. We do not recommend using our SSD Products in RAID

3. We do not support using our SSDs in RAID

So now i use one for OS and programs and the other for games. I have one ga,me with two accounts... one on SSD and one on SSHD. No difference in laodimg times or performance

The SLI should ne no worries.
 
Thank you all for the replies! :respect:

I don't have the board yet but I've downloaded a copy of the manual and have scanned it a couple times. The GPUs will run x8/x8 but I could only find the following (unless I missed something) regarding the m.2 slots/drives:

122637


122638


122639


I guess my question is if I use both m.2 slots on the motherboard, will 1 run at x4 speeds and the other at SATA speeds? I will not be raiding the drives and I do not plan on using any SATA drives as well.
 
Not had a problem with mine yet
 
Here's how mine is setup. This is listed under "Onboard Devices". The top "PCIEX4_3" is for my sound card. I have to m.2 slots on my Hero X. As long as you have your 2_1 set to PCIE mode, it won't interfere with any of your SATA stuff. Both my NVME drives are running x4. You don't have to worry about your cards, the board will automatically allocate x8 for each as those PCIE lanes come from the CPU.

122640
 
I've assembled the parts and started to install Windows but the nvme drives don't show up during Windows install or on the BIOS. I don't have any other SATA drives plugged in. I only have 2 nvme SSDs and the flash drive with Windows install on it. Any suggestions?
 
I've updated to the latest BIOS and still no go. :confused:
 
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