Motherboard pins blocked by graphics card?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
K

Karl Zhao

Honorable
Apr 4, 2013
25
0
10,530
Hey everyone,
I'm planning on building a gaming computer soon. Right now, I really don't know what to look for in a motherboard. I want an ATX Z77 motherboard that is able to do dual-SLI (Which many can do) and maybe go triple SLI in the future. However, out of many motherboards I've seen, the last PCIe x16 slot is at the very edge of the motherboard, directly behind a row of pins for headers. (If you want an example, check out the Asus P8Z77 WS motherboard, which even NVidia says can do quad-SLI) I, not having handled many motherboards before, don't know what those pins are for. However, it seems that if I insert a double-wide graphics card into the last slot, it will block the pins. My question is, are those pins useful? And if they are, are there any ways I could get around the blocking problem?

Also, on the wikipedia page for Haswell, it states that the Z87 chipset for Haswell will be able to do triple SLI. In that case, if I waited for Haswell to be released, do you think I would still have this problem? (I pobably will wait for Haswell either way.)

Thanks for your time! :)
 
Solution
X
Yes Crashman very vexing lol. Yes smash down and pray pretty much described it.
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z with R9 390 MSI Gaming x2. Audio and both USB 2 headers had to be disconnected and then push down on on power/reset/speaker/.. connectors. How do they not address this? How can they advertise compatibility? :fou: Looking at an MSI Gaming 990FX as they have placed their slots to avoid this
Keep giving them hell. Thanks.
Sort by date Sort by votes
K

Karl Zhao

Honorable
Apr 4, 2013
25
0
10,530


So I probably shouldn't block them? I've seen many people doing quad SLI's while blocking them, but they weren't running in a case.
BTW, I'm only planning on doing triple SLI for the scaling in the few games that do scale well, and chances are I won't be able to afford it anyways (Probably going to use GTX 670 FTW/GTX 680s) . Right now, it is hypothetical. I just want that peace of mind knowing that if I do want to do it, I can.

Thanks for the quick reply!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
DarkSable

DarkSable

Judicious
Sep 27, 2012
8,890
1
34,965
First, I highly suggest that you go with the 670s over the 680s - the 680 is only 5% faster, but costs 25% more.

As for blocking them, first of all, depending on the card, you might be able to fit the cables in under it. Secondly, you don't want to block it unless you don't care about being able to turn your computer on. :p
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
K

Karl Zhao

Honorable
Apr 4, 2013
25
0
10,530


Thanks again, that was very helpful :)

I guess when I first get my graphics card, I'll try fitting it in the last slot and fitting the cables underneath. BTW, do you know any Z77 motherboards that are guaranteed to run with 3-way SLI with no incompatibility issues with the different PCIe lanes? I seem to find a lot with 3 or 4 PCIe slots but only support 2 cards.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
DarkSable

DarkSable

Judicious
Sep 27, 2012
8,890
1
34,965


Off the top of my head, I don't, but here's the list of z77 motherboards that support 3- or 4- way crossfire or SLI.

Just a thought, even an i5 will bottleneck that sort of setup, which is why those motherboards are rare.
I would seriously consider the LGA 2011 socket with a Xeon.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Crashman

Crashman

Polypheme
Former Staff
Dec 31, 2007
48,594
91
66,190
It's a vexing problem for a motherboard reviewer who also happens to be a system builder! Basically, it's a DESIGN DEFECT that I try to discuss in every roundup, when and where it occurs.

Yes, those are front-panel connectors. Some of them, like POWER, are required. Others such as FP-Audio are desired. And the build trick? Cram the card in as far as you can until the wires are smashed, and hope they don't break. Simply awful. And it doesn't work for one header in particular, USB3.0 can't be "smashed down".

I've worked with some manufacturers to solve the USB 3.0 connector issue, but to no avail. The final solution some have occasionally chosen was to move that connector to the front edge and face it forward, like SATA.

I've also recommended that boards with the issue include 90° adapter cables, for the standard pin headers (FP-Audio, USB 2.0, etc). MSI offered to follow through but I don't remember ever seeing a board with those adapters.

I've also tried removing the plastic surrounding the pins, so that the connector can be shoved on farther. That helps. With that plastic out of the way, the pins might be too long. They can be shortened. All of these workarounds are unacceptable in a retail product, where most builders can barely use a screwdriver.

All I can do at this point is hammer anyone who creates the issue, and thank anyone who moves their connectors to avoid it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
X

XpJAY

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2011
85
0
18,660
Yes Crashman very vexing lol. Yes smash down and pray pretty much described it.
ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z with R9 390 MSI Gaming x2. Audio and both USB 2 headers had to be disconnected and then push down on on power/reset/speaker/.. connectors. How do they not address this? How can they advertise compatibility? :fou: Looking at an MSI Gaming 990FX as they have placed their slots to avoid this
Keep giving them hell. Thanks.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
X

XpJAY

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2011
85
0
18,660
So someone posted a review on newegg about the MSI Gaming 990FX and said that had the same problem with their USB 3 connector with the same MSI R9 390 Gaming in Crossfire. I had ordered it and then cancelled : ( . It looks like it will work with less thick cards. These MSI R9 390 are really meaty. Still looking around for at motherboards but with FX9590, the list is short. I missed having Corsair link fan profile control, which needs the usb 2 header. Didn't care about the front audio panel. At least my power button worked. I have removed second card for now. The good thing is until I get a 4K TV I don't actually need Crossfire. Nice Fire Strike scores though.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
X

XpJAY

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2011
85
0
18,660
Soooo, I found the Gigabyte GA-990FX-Gaming. Vey nice. Has the PCIe slots setup that will work, and also has USB 3.1, USB-C, M2 ssd slot, and looks much nicer IMO. Much better match for black and red themed windowed gaming case/MB/LED fans than Sabertooth. On the way from eBay : D. Stay for big post with benchmarks comparing CHVF-Z with same FX9590. To be fair, the MSI R9390 gaming is a monster 3 slot card. I do love my CHVF-Z and it was hard to even consider changing it, but I need a workable crossfire solution.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
X

XpJAY

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2011
85
0
18,660
I can now confirm the Gigabyte GA-990FX-Gaming motherboard will fit 2 MSI Gaming R9 390 cards and not block any motherboard headers. Well done Gigabyte. I don't see why any 3 slot card would work in a dual crossfire/SLI. It should be running tonight *knocks on wood.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom