Regarding PCI express options for motherboard...

[jtbullet]

Hi. I am now looking at a new motherboard to build an octane rig. The motherboard I am looking at is this one:
MSI Z77A-GD65 Gaming LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813130686

However, the specs on the pci express slots are as such: PCI Express 3.0 x16: 3 (x16/x4/x4, or x8/x8/x4)

Considering my current graphics card, a Gigabyte Windstream gtx 770 4gb, does this motherboard make sense understanding that I do plan on adding a second 770 in the future.

I guess I'm wondering if the pci express slots being used at x8 will make a difference or not.

Thanks!
Jarrett

[kavorka]

the bus speed will only effect the import speed, but will have no effect on render speeds.

Keep in mind, that bottom PCIe slot will not be usable with a double wide card (like any good GTX card) because there isnt enough space. so there are 2 slots for cards. you could use that 3rd slot for a single width card for display.

[jtbullet]

So what do I look for in good motherboard that will let me run two double width cards? This multi gpu building is new to me, and I haven't built a pc in a couple of years.

I was hoping to use an intel chip with onboard hd4000 for display for now. Would haswell chips/motherboard be good for this?

Thanks for the great help! Saving me headaches and money!

[mib2berlin]

Hi, the HD 4000 ifs fine for octane as display card, the new HD 5000 from haswell is more better.
Here is a list of motherboards for 2-4 cards from Nvidia.

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technol ... therboards

Keep your power supply in mind if you like to add a second card later.

Cheers, mib.

[kavorka]

that board will work for 2 double width cards, but you wont be able to upgrade to a 3rd card.