No I did not say that the 980 needs two slots
You asked if the SLI setup will fit in your MoBo and for that to happen, you need two card slots. I said that your MoBo has the needed two [PCI-E 3.0 x 16] slots
I think you're confusing case slot spaces with PCI-E 3.0 x 16 slots
The two PCI-E 3.0 x 16 (red) slots are spaced two case slots apart.
Many manufacturers like to place
other types of slots between these slots but as you can see in the above pic, Asus did not do that with the Gene.
You will see that below the 2nd PCI-E 3.0 x 16 slot, there is a PCI-E x 4 slot. You will not be able to use this.
Typical MoBo
Case accommodation =====MoBo Slot
Case Slot Opening ======= PCI-E 3.0 x 16 slot
Case Slot Opening ======= Other type of MoBo slot (blocked if 980 GFX card uses)
Case Slot Opening ======= PCI-E 3.0 x 16 slot
Case Slot Opening ======= Other type of MoBo slot (blocked if 980 GFX card uses)
Enthusiast MoBo
Case Slot Opening ======= PCI-E 3.0 x 16 slot
Case Slot Opening ======= Other type of MoBo slot (blocked if 980 GFX card uses)
Case Slot Opening ======= Other type of MoBo slot (open for use of cool air inlet)
Case Slot Opening ======= PCI-E 3.0 x 16 slot
Case Slot Opening ======= Other type of MoBo slot (blocked if 980 GFX card uses)
Asus Gene
Case Slot Opening ======= PCI-E 3.0 x 16 slot
Case Slot Opening ======= Nothing
Case Slot Opening ======= PCI-E 3.0 x 16 slot
Case Slot Opening ======= Other type of MoBo slot (blocked if 980 GFX card uses)