2X5970 and a 4XPCIe card

[samfriend]

Hi

History:
I had a xfire (2x5970) setup, and then I brought a SSD with PCIe link (i guess it requires X4).
OCZ IBIS 3.5" HIGH-SPEED DATA LINK SSD http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/solid-state-drives/hsdl/ocz-ibis-3-5--high-speed-data-link-ssd.html
I couldnt make the new SSD work unless I unplug the 2nd 5970

Problem:
Yesterday, I ordered 2 Dells 24" monitors to replace my 2nd and 3rd (left, right) monitors, I and a bit worry that, after these 2 new monitors arrives, my single 5970 will not able to support my mmo gaming on center (30" 2560X1600) plus 2 other (1920x1080) monitors for browsing / movie...etc.

So I guess I wanted to plug my 2nd 5970 back to my motherboard (doesnt matter xFire or not, but i guess I will go for 2 cards instead of xFire). I read the manual of my motherboard, its PCIe does suppot 16+16+1 or 16+8+8 settings.

My question:
is 16+8+8 setting will support my 2X 5970s and the SSD link card?
How should I plug it on the mother board?
Should I go to Bios and manually set the PIC Express speed?
Can I go for xFire under 16+8 ?


Current Config:
Intel i7 Extreme i7-975
ASUS P6X58D Premium http://ca.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=wurRaDZ8lo4Ckukj&templete=2
ATI 5970 + ATI 5970(unplugged)
OCZ IBIS 3.5" HIGH-SPEED DATA LINK SSD (150G)
Intel X25-M 160G
6 X 2G Skill DDR3-2000
22" + 30" +22" (1680x1050 + 2560x1600 + 1680x1050)

Thanks very much for your time

 

[Snipergod87]

It should, when a third card is added go to 16-8-8, and you can still crossfire your two cards together. Even if they are running at 16x and 8x, it doesnt matter.

 

[samfriend]

thanks

last time when i plug in the SSD link card, it doesnt work, i think the motherboard auto switch to 16+16+1 when it has 2 graphic cards on it..

I guess i will go to the bios and tell motherboard to go for 16+8+8

anyway, as long as the 2nd 5970 will run on PCIeX8, i think i can plug it back today.

thank you

 

[samfriend]

Best answer selected by samfriend.

 

[Snipergod87]

thanks

last time when i plug in the SSD link card, it doesnt work, i think the motherboard auto switch to 16+16+1 when it has 2 graphic cards on it..

I guess i will go to the bios and tell motherboard to go for 16+8+8

anyway, as long as the 2nd 5970 will run on PCIeX8, i think i can plug it back today.

thank you

Yeah check if there is a setting to switch it, if not maybe try reorganizing the PCI Express cards. That is a nice SSD btw.