Z68 chipset with dual x16 (SLI/CF) pcie motherboard

[Alex_2501]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a motherboard with the z68 chipset from intel that is able to run two graphic cards at 16x (so SLI/CF at 16x) currently i'm only finding z68 boards which offer sli/cf at 8x. I don't know if the nf200 nvidia chipset is still used on the z68 platform because that enables dual x16 lanes right? I really want to be future proof, so i don't want to invest in a dual x8 motherboard.

Or should i wait on the x68 chipset to be released?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[jsanthara]

If you want a Z68 with x16,x16 then check out these 2:

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD7-B3 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128499 - $349.99

ASRock EXTREME 7 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157269 - $279.99


As for waiting for the X79 chipset, it depends on a variety of factors. The two boards listed above are not cheap, but the x79's are not going to be cheap either. What other features are you interested in? If it all comes down to dual x16 then I would say forget about the X79, but honestly some of the features in the upcoming X79 might have me wait a few months if I was buying a computer now.

 

[Alex_2501]

First of all thanks for the info!

That is indeed what I'm looking for and more!

my main goal is really being future proof, that's why I wanted to have dual x16 lanes and a good board for overclocking with the latest chipset. Reading up on the x79 chipset however, it does look that it's worth the wait...

But I'm assuming it will be Jan - Feb 2012 before some decent boards with the X79 chipset come along?

 

[jsanthara]

You assume correctly, the current release estimate is Q4 2011 - Q1 2012. You might want to hold out if you can, but again it is up to you and what you really want/need.

 

[Alex_2501]

I'll have to make a decision on that... But thanks again for the info!

 

[CPU666d1]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a motherboard with the z68 chipset from intel that is able to run two graphic cards at 16x (so SLI/CF at 16x) currently i'm only finding z68 boards which offer sli/cf at 8x. I don't know if the nf200 nvidia chipset is still used on the z68 platform because that enables dual x16 lanes right? I really want to be future proof, so i don't want to invest in a dual x8 motherboard.

Or should i wait on the x68 chipset to be released?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Hi. If I was you I would just make an informed decision & go to the Gigabyte & Asus sites to check all of their Z68 motherboards out. Then you'll have it for sure what you want. Since your on line it only takes ten minutes the most to check out their sites for a suitable motherboard.

 

[CPU666d1]

By the way,I'm sure Asus work station model which is a P67 one can have two x16 graphics cards in their slots.

 

[CPU666d1]

I went to their site,but there was no sign of it at all. Asus site that is,but the model is Asus P8P67-ws-Revolution. It is still for sale at Gamedude computers in Queensland,Australia.

 

[Ninja Pants]

Your only options are mobos with a NF-200 controller:
ASUS MIVE-Z
Gigabyte Z68 UD-7
ASUS WS Revolution (is only P67, but do you really need Z68?)
ASRock Z68 Extreme 7
These are all top end boards, so is the extra ~$200 worth the 1-2% performance increase over x16/x8 or x/16/x16.
Note that only the ASRock offers PCIe 3.0, and even then it is only 1 slot.

 

[Alex_2501]

I understand your look on this and I'm considering that too, but since I only buy a new PC every 4 years or so, I don't mind spending a little more on a top end board.
But you do make a valid point, it's a lot of extra green for 4-5fps more in x16/x16 mode.