ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus. Can I use any single blue PCIe slot for 16x speeds?

[rectro]

After days of trying to find this info im starting to regret even thinking of upgrading my pc.

All I need to know is can I run my graphics card in the PCIe slot at 16x speed?

Are there any issues running a 7950 GX2 with this ASUS P5N32-E SLI ?

Thanks to who ever can try this or knows the answer. Im ready to perchase this board.

 

[Namslas90]

Don't see any reason why not;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131153R&ATT=13-131-153R&CMP=OTC-Froogle

 

[rectro]

The problem is I dont want to be caught out. I know there are 2x, 16x slots and that they both run at 16x when in SLI usage, but the question is will the second slot still run at 16x speed as a single slot. Its very important that I put my Graphics card in the bottom slot as my card runs extreamly hot. In the top slot it will cover the chipset and block the PCI slot that I want for my audigy.

In my current motherboard a DFI LP ultra D i have this very issue both with heat lack of PCI slot and running at 8x. If im going to upgrade I want to remove these current issues.

 

[bruins004]

I believe the bottom slot is only used for SLI.
I remember I had an ABIT SLI board (16x single mode or 8x 8x SLI mode).
The bottom slot was only used for when you had 2 graphic cards (as stated in the manual).

Also, why are you getting an SLI board.
SLI boards are really only meant for people who want to have the best of the best (currently 2 8800GTXs).
If you arent going for that I suggest going for a single PCI-Express mobo (save your money).

I used to think SLI was the greatest thing.
But now I realize it isnt worth only 30 percent increase in performance.

 

[rectro]

The motherboard in question is said to be a Dual SLI 16x where by both slots run at the full 16x. I have no intention to use SLI I just want to use the bottom slot without being limited to 8x. Im finding it very hard to get a 100% yes or No and Asus support is usless.

 

[bruins004]

The motherboard in question is said to be a Dual SLI 16x where by both slots run at the full 16x. I have no intention to use SLI I just want to use the bottom slot without being limited to 8x. Im finding it very hard to get a 100% yes or No and Asus support is usless.

Why are you even bothering getting an SLI mobo then if you arent going to use it.
SLI mobos are more expensive.
If you want to lower the temps on your video card then get a zalman or third party heatsink for it.

You are just wasting your money if thats the only reason you want to get it.

 

[Tatty_Two]

I have the board.....single card at 16X, dual cards at 2 x 8. NForce 650I only supports 2 x 8, very little difference in performance anyways!

 

[Tatty_Two]

Sorry, forgot to answer the 2nd bit of your question, if you have only one card then it's must go in the x16 slot closet to the CPU, the manual is clear and there is a notice on the slot.

 

[rectro]

Why are you even bothering getting an SLI mobo then if you arent going to use it.
SLI mobos are more expensive.
If you want to lower the temps on your video card then get a zalman or third party heatsink for it.

You are just wasting your money if thats the only reason you want to get it.

There are no such coolers as far as I know for my 7950 GX2 other than water blocks. I was only looking at this motherboard becasue of its layout, known overclockability and a chance to get my graphics card away from my chipset but still keeping it working in a 16x speed slot.


Tatty_One, would you please tell me where I can find this info in the motherboard manual . I have the PDF manual and couldnt find this info. What wording does it say on the top slot?


Thanks for al your replys so far.

 

[Tatty_Two]

There are no such coolers as far as I know for my 7950 GX2 other than water blocks. I was only looking at this motherboard becasue of its layout, known overclockability and a chance to get my graphics card away from my chipset but still keeping it working in a 16x speed slot.


Tatty_One, would you please tell me where I can find this info in the motherboard manual . I have the PDF manual and couldnt find this info. What wording does it say on the top slot?


Thanks for al your replys so far.

Page 1-25 of the manual proper, I quote:

"In single card mode, only the PCI express blue slot can be used for a PCI express at x16, in SLi mode, the PCI express slots work at the bandwidth of x8"

Then there is a small table below in that shows....single video card....blue slot.....x16.......dual video cards......sli.......x8.

Below is a screenie of the systems page of 3D Mark 2006 and of the graphics subsystem page of RivaTuner, you will clearly see from both the card is running in x16.

 

[rectro]

Are we both looking at the same motherboard? ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus. All it says in the pdf manual is that both blue slots are 16x and thats all? Page 46 of the PDF. In Page 18 it says this board has Dual PCIe where SLI runs in full 16x.

 

[Tatty_Two]

Are we both looking at the same motherboard? ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus. All it says in the pdf manual is that both blue slots are 16x and thats all? Page 46 of the PDF. In Page 18 it says this board has Dual PCIe where SLI runs in full 16x.

Mine is not the Plus and I have the REAL manual, not the online PDF one, my point is the plus is the 650i chipset I beleive and the 650i chipset does not support dual x16's only the 680i does. The plus basically adds some features, I thought your origional point was, were you going to get x16 out of a single card solution?

 

[rectro]

Yea that was my point. Just I know that if SLI is not a dual 16x speed then only one PCIe slot will work at the full 16x, and thats normaly the top slot. But the Plus does clearly say its full dual 16x. Even though it does say its full dual 16x im still not sure that the lowest to the bottom slot will work at 16x in single usage. From what iv read the plus version has a hybrid chipset ,in which it runs one 16x from the 650i and another chipset 750 sli chip. The motherboard you have is just one chipset, the 680i.

Iv just received a email from EVGA and they have said that the 680i board does alow the bottom 16x slot to run in full 16x, just make sure the latest bios is unsed or disable linkboost.

So I know that the 680i does do it but not the 650i hybrid.