Hello everyone I am new here and this is my first post. Was referred to this site by a friend and so far i am learning alot but i need some help.
Im in the process of building a hardcore gaming computer and I have a question that only the experts can answer. I want to 3-Way SLI 280GTX EVGA (NVidia) Graphics Cards but not sure if my Motherboard can support it due to Newegg stating that it only has 2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 and 2 PCI Express x1. As of now I have 2-280GTX cards on order. I need to find out if 3-Way SLI is possible on this motherbord using 280GTX cards. Here are the specs.
Model
Brand EVGA
Model 132-CK-NF79-A1
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type LGA 775
CPU Type Quad-core / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo / Pentium
FSB 1600/1333MHz
Chipsets
North Bridge NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra SLI
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR3 2000(OC)/1800(OC)/1333
Support for up to 2000 MHz SLI-Ready Memory with EPP
Maximum Memory Supported 8GB
Dual Channel Supported Yes
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16 2 PCI Express x16 1
PCI Express x1 2
PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s 6
SATA RAID 0/1/0+1/5/JBOD
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset None
Onboard Audio
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
Max LAN Speed Dual 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 2
USB 6 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394 1 x IEEE 1394a
eSATA 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s
S/PDIF Out 1x Optical, 1x Coaxial
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 4 x USB 2.0
Onboard 1394
Onboard 1394 1x 1394a
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin 24 Pin
Packaging
Package Contents 132-CK-NF79-A1
Driver Disk
User Manual
Rear I/O Panel Shield
IDE/PATA Cable
FDD Cable
SATA Cable
Power Cable
USB Bracket
IEEE 1394 Bracket
COM Bracket
2-way SLI Bridge
3-way SLI Bridge
Optional Fan
Don't worry at all, that motherboard was MADE to support 3 Video Cards. Do you see the pic of the mobo ? The 3 green slots are PCIE slots, all 16X I believe. Newegg somtimes gets exact specifications wrong on their descriptions. Anyways, just make sure you have an adequite Power Supply to run that rig, youre gonna need it.
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E8400@ 4.03 Ghz, Asus 4870X2 4 GB Mushkin DDR 800, Asus P5E X38,
Raptor X, X-FI Fatality Pro, Zalman 850 W P.S.
Zalman 9700 CPU Cooler, XCLIO A380 Case, 24" Asus MK241H Monitor
Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1
Thanks for the help. I've been reading up on these cards and they might have a overheating problem and maybe not. I'm thinking of water-cooling my Antec 900 case.
Here is everything I have so far. Might upgrade the processor later on or overclock the one I have on the way.
While it is amusing to watch the copycats repeat each other
If you already own that Acer monitor, than go with gtx260 SLI or a single gtx280.
You need to go up to a 24" display to really benefit from the raw power of 280gtx SLI
As far as 3 way SLI goes, it is just held back way too much by CPU right now to be bothered with it - I wouldn't recommend it unless you are getting a multiplier unlocked intel quad core and plan to do some serious liquid cooling to get it into the high 4 ghz ranges. Otherwise, you just won't have enough cpu power.
The other situation where you could benefit from 3way SLI gtx280 is if you had a 30" display and you wanted to max out all possible IQ options; even then, your third card doesn't get utilized to near its potential unless you have a crazy CPU overclock.
2 4870 is good enough but need atleast 1000W PSU. 3 Way GTX280 needs 2000W PSU, can you find 2000W?
No, it doesn't need a 2000watt PSU; and you should know better than to even suggest that is the case, 12v amperage is far more important. If you are really that wattage crazy than goto Nvidia's slizone site and they have a list of 1200-1500w nvidia SLI certified PSUs for 3way gtx280 arrays.
But seriously, don't just make crap up - its tasteless.
Likewise dual 4870s do not need a 1000watt PSU for exactly the same reason. A QUALITY 750watt with high 12v amperage will cover 4870CF arrays.
Here is an AMD Crossfire certified (http://game.amd.com/us-en/crossfirex_components.aspx?p=3#ATI%20Radeon™%20HD%204870) 850watt Silverstone PSU:
pogsnet