Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question

Running 3x R9 290s on pci-e 3.0 x16 with only 16 channels. Any bottlenecks?

Tags:
  • PCI Express
  • Bottleneck
  • Motherboards
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Share
December 2, 2013 1:52:33 PM

Hello,

I am about to install 3 R9 290s onto a Z87 motherboard, so I'm only going to have 16 channels to work with.

The cards will be running:

pci-e 3.0 x16 8x
pci-e 3.0 x16 4x
pci-e 3.0 x16 4x

Will the cards that are only running on 4 channels suffer any sort of bottleneck with this setup? Thanks!

More about : running 290s pci x16 channels bottlenecks

a b V Motherboard
December 2, 2013 1:56:44 PM

You likely won't see a huge loss as 3.0 x4 is enough for most video cards as is. However, I've never tested this myself so can't be certain.

The one thing I will point out is that 3x 290's in the same case is going to generate some heat that you simply won't be able to work around unless you have a water block attached to each GPU. If you are planning to put them under water, go ahead, if not, don't waste your money.
m
0
l
December 2, 2013 2:02:59 PM

akensai said:
You likely won't see a huge loss as 3.0 x4 is enough for most video cards as is. However, I've never tested this myself so can't be certain.

The one thing I will point out is that 3x 290's in the same case is going to generate some heat that you simply won't be able to work around unless you have a water block attached to each GPU. If you are planning to put them under water, go ahead, if not, don't waste your money.


This will be a litecoin mining rig that will also be used for gaming. I am putting it in an open air crate and connecting pci-e risers to each card to spread them farther apart. I am also installing large pusher/puller fans on each side of the crate to help further displace air. While it is going to generate a lot of heat, hopefully that will make the temperature bearable.
m
0
l
Related resources
a b V Motherboard
December 2, 2013 2:06:01 PM

What you are not realizing is that the stock cooler on the 290/290x cant even push the air out in time, open air will make very little difference. If you are going to do it at least wait for partner boards with some decent fans.

Had a 290x for 3 days before I sent it back, with fan at 95% (constant) in BF4 it was still pushing 85-90c. This was in an open air single card scenario (actually had a shop fan pointed at it at one point).
m
0
l
December 2, 2013 2:21:23 PM

akensai said:
What you are not realizing is that the stock cooler on the 290/290x cant even push the air out in time, open air will make very little difference. If you are going to do it at least wait for partner boards with some decent fans.

Had a 290x for 3 days before I sent it back, with fan at 95% (constant) in BF4 it was still pushing 85-90c. This was in an open air single card scenario (actually had a shop fan pointed at it at one point).


I will do what is necessary to have the setup at acceptable temperatures, even if that includes doing water-cooling. I just wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any significant bottleneck in gaming by using x4.
m
0
l
December 25, 2013 4:44:05 PM

bpfergu said:
akensai said:
You likely won't see a huge loss as 3.0 x4 is enough for most video cards as is. However, I've never tested this myself so can't be certain.

The one thing I will point out is that 3x 290's in the same case is going to generate some heat that you simply won't be able to work around unless you have a water block attached to each GPU. If you are planning to put them under water, go ahead, if not, don't waste your money.


This will be a litecoin mining rig that will also be used for gaming. I am putting it in an open air crate and connecting pci-e risers to each card to spread them farther apart. I am also installing large pusher/puller fans on each side of the crate to help further displace air. While it is going to generate a lot of heat, hopefully that will make the temperature bearable.


Hi. Did you manager to build tour mining rig? Which PSU did you use? I was just curious.
m
0
l
December 25, 2013 4:53:25 PM

bpfergu said:
akensai said:
You likely won't see a huge loss as 3.0 x4 is enough for most video cards as is. However, I've never tested this myself so can't be certain.

The one thing I will point out is that 3x 290's in the same case is going to generate some heat that you simply won't be able to work around unless you have a water block attached to each GPU. If you are planning to put them under water, go ahead, if not, don't waste your money.


This will be a litecoin mining rig that will also be used for gaming. I am putting it in an open air crate and connecting pci-e risers to each card to spread them farther apart. I am also installing large pusher/puller fans on each side of the crate to help further displace air. While it is going to generate a lot of heat, hopefully that will make the temperature bearable.


Hi. Did you manage to build your mining rig? Which PSU did you use? I was just curious.
m
0
l
December 26, 2013 11:19:42 AM

opasch said:
bpfergu said:
akensai said:
You likely won't see a huge loss as 3.0 x4 is enough for most video cards as is. However, I've never tested this myself so can't be certain.

The one thing I will point out is that 3x 290's in the same case is going to generate some heat that you simply won't be able to work around unless you have a water block attached to each GPU. If you are planning to put them under water, go ahead, if not, don't waste your money.


This will be a litecoin mining rig that will also be used for gaming. I am putting it in an open air crate and connecting pci-e risers to each card to spread them farther apart. I am also installing large pusher/puller fans on each side of the crate to help further displace air. While it is going to generate a lot of heat, hopefully that will make the temperature bearable.


Hi. Did you manager to build tour mining rig? Which PSU did you use? I was just curious.


Yes, I did. I am using a Platimax 1350W PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

It might be a bit of overkill for just 3 GPUs but I wanted to be safe and it also gives me room to potentially add an additional GPU if I want.
m
0
l
!