LGA1155 "Gaming" Motherboard with Minimum 7 PCIe Slots?

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MrQnator007

MrQnator007

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Oct 18, 2013
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Hello all, I've run into a problem.
I've recently decided to look into building a PC (my first one), and I was nearing my final revisions to my parts list, when I noticed that my motherboard that I had chosen (not only to go with my Red/Black color theme, but also because of the i7 CPU + 32GB RAM compatibility) only had 6 PCIe slots, with only 3 being 3.0x16. (My original motherboard was the MSI Z77A-GD65 Gaming ATX).

This is what I am trying to run:
CPU- Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core
CPU Cooler- Corsair H100i (Water-cooled)
RAM- Corsair Vengeance Performance 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3-1866
GPU- Asus Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB (CrossFire'd)
Case- Aerocool XPredator X3 Devil Red ATX Mid-Tower
Sound Card- Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card
PSU- Corsair RM 1000W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V
Full Part List- http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Qru3

With my PC, I am looking into a high-performance gaming setup, as the CrossFire'd Asus Radeon 7970s, with each taking up 3 PCIe slots, are my only choice for GPU as of now. So, that is 6 PCIe slots. Plus, I need one more slot for an Audio Card (Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD 24-bit 96 KHz w/ built in THX), because I love HQ sound just as much as HQ graphics, regardless of what the motherboard says, with its "top-quality" audio chips. 7 PCIe Slots.

But now, I have the problem of high-performance GPUs tightly packed together on a motherboard, plus the restriction of the Sound Card. I've seen another thread on another website with a guy talking about the same problem, but the only thing that he could get was an Antec Spot Cool to point a fan in the spot between the fans.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18497495

So, this is What I Need for the Motherboard:
Minimum 7 PCIe Slots
Spacing available for decent airflow for GPUs
LGA1155
Red/Black (Can be changed, but only if last option)
Cost does not matter, unless absolutely absurd (over $1000)
ATX, Micro ATX, or Mini ITX capability (for case)

I apologize for any confusion in the above writing, for I am a beginning PC builder, but if you could help me find a motherboard with the listed capabilities, then my build will seem finished. Once again, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Solution
rolli59
Your case shows 8 expansion bays which leads me to believe that it would support EATX or the maximus V which has 7 with screw holes aligning with the second to lowest slot on your case.
About the reviews on newegg on the thunder board it is something to take with a grain of salt since many are made by people with little know how.
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aznricepuff

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Oct 17, 2013
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Um...two radeon 7970 in crossfire will take up 2 pci 3.0 slots, not 6. Each will sit in a PCI-e 3.0 (x8) slot. Most LGA 1155 mobos can easily accommodate that and will usually have extra PCI-e 2.0 and PCI-e 1.0 slots left over.

For example: ASUS P8Z77-V PRO motherboard has 2 PCI-e 3.0 (x16/0 or x8x8 - meaning either you have one card using all 16 lanes or two cards using 8 lanes each), 1 PCI-e 2.0 slot, 2 PCI-e 1.0 slot, and 2 PCI slots. The two 7970s would plug into the two PCI-e 3.0 slots and the sound card would use one of the two PCI-e 1.0 slots.
 
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bradsctt

bradsctt

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you didnt understand the OP's question. he is going to use two 3 slot GPUs. that means that 6 slots will be covered by the cards, not that they will use 3 slots each, as you are suggesting he said. He needs a board that can support having two 3-slot cards, as well as a pci-e sound card

OP: do you have to use the ASUS 7970s? could you change brand, or choose a different card, as was suggested earlier?

 
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medmn

medmn

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aznricepuff - each card will occupy three expansion slots due the design of the card - look up the ASUS GPU spec'd and look at the pictures - silence can be golden if you think you know and you don't.

would appear that aftermarket or water cooling might be the only viable alternative. As an aside why crossfire 7970's? One will handle virtually anything out there - and with one GPU you won't have issues with microstuttering.
 
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MrQnator007

MrQnator007

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Oct 18, 2013
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Actually, judging from reading the comments, I'm guessing I can use only one. I was looking around at different 7970 Reviews and benchmarks and the highest performance setup becnhmarks was with the Asus Matrix 7970 CrossFire'd, and only a stupid person would not go for the CrossFired performance. But, being that I absolutely want good sound (I have a good history with THX products), that Sound Card is definitely going in there, and I think the case looks pretty badass.

I still could go for the extra frames/sec, but if giving up the case or the sound card is the solution, then I will just stick with the single 7970. I am absolutely loving the looks, features, and performance of the Asus Matrix 7970, so unless it would kill me, I am still using it as my GPU.
 
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MrQnator007

MrQnator007

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Like I said in my response to bradsctt, I am going with your comment and going with a single Asus Matrix 7970, because I like the looks, performance, and features of the card. I don't want to get rid of my case or sound card in the build of a CrossFire'd 7970 setup, so unless the right motherboard would show up, I have no other choice but to dismiss the extra GPU. Thanks for your opinions, guys, I never realized these forums were that intuitive.
 
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MrQnator007

MrQnator007

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Wow, that actually looks exactly like what I was looking for! Sorry to say this, but judging from the reviews on it, it looks to be defective, and not to be one to trust low ratings, but when 38% of the reviews are rated 1 Egg, I am a bit suspicious. Even for an Asus board, that doesn't sound good. But, if I could find one with more reliability, maybe it would be my choice. Thanks for the research, by the way, now I know what model/series I am to look into. Not sure if the EATX will fit in my case, being it only supports ATX, Mini ATX, and ITX.

*Update*
I decided to look at the Maximus V here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131858
It has much better reviews, plus it has one more PCIe slot. My only conflict here, is that I'm not sure if it can fit the case (XPredator X3). The Motherboard is 12" x 10.7", my GPUs are 11" x 5.1" (they can fit fine, max GPU length is 12.2"), yet I don't know what my case's motherboard limitations are besides their types, but if the case can contain 8 PCIe slots, then it should be able to contain a motherboard with the same amount of PCIe slots. If you visit the link for the XPredator X3, you can see that the "chassis" dimensions are 533mm / 21" (D) x 223mm / 8.8" (W) x 527mm / 20.7" (H), but, being the beginning computer builder I am, can someone give me an accurate definition of what the "chassis" is? I know it deals with the entire case itself, but is it the full size, or is it the compartment of room for installing the motherboard, etc.? Again, any help will be appreciated.
 
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rolli59

rolli59

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Your case shows 8 expansion bays which leads me to believe that it would support EATX or the maximus V which has 7 with screw holes aligning with the second to lowest slot on your case.
About the reviews on newegg on the thunder board it is something to take with a grain of salt since many are made by people with little know how.
 
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Solution
MrQnator007

MrQnator007

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Oct 18, 2013
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Okay, so I will probably just Buy the case and the Maximus V, and if it works out fine, then I'll keep it. Hopefully I don't need to return the Motherboard...



I understand what you're saying, but there are more reviews on the Maximus V, more better ones at that, plus it has the extra slot, so I'll just go with the Maximus V. Thank you for helping me, I appreciate it.
 
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MrQnator007

MrQnator007

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Oct 18, 2013
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Actually, instead of going through all of the confusion of adding a different motherboard that could potentially not fit in the case, and not being able to refund the board, and not being able to crossfire two three-slot GPUs, I'm just going to go with a smarter approach and just buy the Asus Radeon 7990, because not only is it just a two-slot card, but it is probably the fastest GPU on the market (even better than the overpriced GTX Titan), at only $800. This thread is basically useless now, but thanks for your help, rolli59. You helped me understand the compatibility issues I was going through. No more issues!
 
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