X58 and SLI

[nexuslotus]

it's my first time building my rig...

i'm planning on getting recently released GeFroce 460GTX and it uses dual slot like most other gaming graphics cards

when it comes down to choosing a motherboard, i'm confused on reading PCIe 2.0 x 16 slot specifications.

for example, EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard says 3 way SLI with 1 x PCIe x16, 1 x PCIe x8/x16, 1 x PCIe x8

1) does this mean there are 3 PCIe slots? or does it mean there are 2 PCIe slots and you can install 2 Graphics card at 3 different combinations of speed(16x16, 16x8, 8x8)?

2) i'm only interested in putting no more than 2 GeForce 460GTX. do most X58 motherboards that says SLI ready can fit 2 double slot sized graphics cards such as GeForce 460GTX or HD 5770?

3) i don't see Sapphire version of 460GTX. do sapphire not make nVidia graphics cards? sapphire was usually my first choice with ATI cards.. what would be the best one for 460GTX?

4) if i'm doing SLI setup for 460GTX, do i have to purchase anything else besides 2 graphics cards assuming i have enough power supply and cooling?

5) i'll be using my monitor at 1920x1080 resolution. If i want to play starcraft 2 at max settings, should i go with HD 5770 or 460GTX? for cpu, i7 870 or i7 930? i mean i7 870 is a faster cpu when application only uses 1-2 cores and this is the most case today. people say X58 is way to go if im planning on SLI setup becuz of full 16x16 availabilty. should i just go with i7-860 and go with powerful single slot video card?

i'm planning on using this rig for at least 5 years... please help!!!

 

[saint19]

Hi.

1- Yeas, that means that the mobo has 3 physical PCI-E slots.
2- All the X58 mobos can fit two GPU for Crossfire or SLI without problems.
3- Today MSI has the GTX 460 Cyclone that is very good and OC very well but if u want warranty EVGA has life time warranty in their products.
4- No, the mobo or GPU should comes with the SLI bridge for the SLI.
5- The GTX 460 is much better IMO and the i7-870 is more faster per clock at stock speed but the i7-930 OC much better so, Do u want OC? I think that u want it.
6- U won't see any big difference between x16 and x8, check this

 

[nexuslotus]

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