New Motherboard for multiple GPU's - ASUS P9X79 WS

[nagboy]

Hi,

Anyone got experience with the ASUS P9X79 WS for a good workstation? Im going to fill it up with 3 x 690's and a 680 or Titan for display.

Any input or potential problems with this rig would be greatly appreciated.

[pixelrush]

You would be better to fill it with 3 Titan and something else for display.

[nagboy]

You would be better to fill it with 3 Titan and something else for display.

I know, but i already have the 690's, i just cant get them to work correctly with my current mobo.

[pixelrush]

Why? What's your current mobo?
There is an issue with recent nvidia drivers in that they aren't allowing more than 5(?) gpu to work.
Search the forums for news of this. You can use software openGL for display as a work around.

[glimpse]

if You're not using CPU render engines & could live with 32gb of RAM, see no need getting that board, based on x79 & socket 2011..if You don't use giant resolutions, Z77 paired with APU might work better, driveing screen from motherboard/APU, leaving GPUs to do work. You'll save some money that way too. if I were You, I would get that route, pluss start selling 690 as they are still in demand & get Titans instead - that at last more future proof. that's some thoughts..

cheers

[BKEicholtz]

I just went through this research process. I chose to go with the ASRock x79 Extreme11 motherboard. I am just finishing my build. As mentioned in various hardware forums, the chipset fan is a screamer. I am going to full water cooling, which is -by the way - awesome with the Titans.
The Extreme 11 is unique by the way they designed the board for extra PCIE lanes for multiple cards.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Brian

[glimpse]

I just went through this research process. I chose to go with the ASRock x79 Extreme11 motherboard. I am just finishing my build. As mentioned in various hardware forums, the chipset fan is a screamer. I am going to full water cooling, which is -by the way - awesome with the Titans.
The Extreme 11 is unique by the way they designed the board for extra PCIE lanes for multiple cards.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Brian

great choise! lookin' forward to see Your build! =)

p.s. might be interesting for You: EK Water Blocks Intros ASRock Z77 Extreme11 Water Block http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Water- ... 21987.html

[BKEicholtz]

I just may share my rig photos when I am done.. The z77 board is considerably less of a board than the x79 board. (I am pretty sure you know that, but I just wanted to mention it for clarity of other readers.)

Thanks!
Brian

[buzby]

I went through this a few months ago between the ASUS P8B WS and the Asrock Z77 Extreme 9. I made this choice instead of the 79 chip simply because I had just upgraded to the i7 3770K and did not want to lay out the cash for a new CPU. And since Octane is not CPU dependant I wanted to spend the money on the GPUs where it would do the most good. I tried the Asus setup with 4 GTX 580s but had too many problems. I never got it to work with more than 2. I am a long time Asus user but ended up sending the Asus back and going with the Asrock in the end and am glad I did. I am running 4 GTX690's now without a hiccup and they are air cooled in a closed case.

I don't have any experience with the Titans but ran OctaneRender benchmark today in our quad 690 rig and got a 31.70 in PT not sure what a quad Tian is doing in comparison. From what I have read the GTX690 was outperforming the Titans in nearly every test so I dont know that you need to spend the extra money on them unless you are looking for the additional memory. Used GTX690's are becoming available for about $800+ on Ebay in comp. to $1000 plus for Titans. In any event I think Asrock is the way to go.

[smicha]

I just installed EKWB XXL on my new titan. I'll post some info about its performance soon.
Go with TITANs if you can.