4 GPU - suitable motherboard - advice

[mattking]

Hi Guys

Im looking to replace my ASUS X99-E WS Motherboard. For 2 reasons. Firstly the ongoing BSOD issue that its having as a result of compatibility issues with the PLX chip that the X99 has, and the latest Nvidia drivers, which means I have to use old Nividia drivers AND cant use the latest versions of Octane, in order to stop the BSOD.

Secondly, I recently bought a 4th GPU, and, even though in the ASUS manual, on their website and on the box, it states that it can take up to 4 GPUs, my 4th GPU does not fit ! There are some headers on the edge of the mobo that are blocking it from sliding all the way in. I really cant believe that this is the case. It blows my mind that ASUS have done this, and dont have a solution. But after a lot of point less back n forth wit the ASUS "support" email - who have been utterly useless BTW - Ive decided Ive had enough and want to just get a new mobo. BUT I have no idea which mobo to get that will fit my set up but more importantly which will fit the 4 GPUs. Any tips or advice on any mobos that people have that work, that dont have a PLX chip - are stable for octane, and that fit 4 EVGA GTX1080 FTW HYBRID GPUs, I will be hugely grateful ! THANKS !!!!

My build below:
GPUs: 4x 8GB EVGA GTX1080 FTW HYBRID
MOBO: ASUS X99-E WS S2011-3 CEB Mobo
CPU : Intel Core i7 6900K s2011
CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro H115i
RAM: 8x8GB CorsVengRGB DDR4 2666
HARD DRIVES: 256GB SAMSUNG 850 PRO SSD and 4TB Seagate BarraCuda Pro
TOWER CASE: EVGA DG-87
POWER SUPPLY: 1200W Corsair HX1200 Platinum

[glimpse]

good day Matt,

are You looking to switch platform entirely? (then opting for something like thread ripper based mobo and one of those CPU might be a good option) or looking for compatible mobo for Your existing CPU is another (but this is not the latest platform and finding stock might be an issue).

PLX issue has never been solved..properly and even if nvidia noted in some driver update that it's fixed our (and other render engine) community still have issues. Changind drivers, reg changes and other bits might minimise, but so far does not fully remove problem that is most likely caused by drivers.

second problem (" even though in the ASUS manual, on their website and on the box, it states that it can take up to 4 GPUs, my 4th GPU does not fit ! There are some headers on the edge of the mobo that are blocking it from sliding all the way in. ") though, You might not be able to solve, since a lot of motherboards have something in the bottom that would interfere. In my case, I do not use USB 3 and other bits, if I plug aircooled cards. So just look around if You really need those wires to be plugged in.

[mattking]

Thanks for the response.

TBH I dont mind what motherboard I get as long as it fits 4 cards and dosnt have the PLX chip issue and fits my other components. BTW I did consider disconnecting the USB connector header but then the other headers that are in the way I cant really disconnect. I think one of them is powering a fan for my CPU. And the others are the power buttons for my front panel power buttons etc


Would love some tips from people that have similar issues to mine and maybe they can suggest specific motherboards ( models ) that would be suitable. That would be awesome if anyone out there has advice??

CHEERS

[boris]

hey glimpse
you think the plx problem ist also present with the SAGE X299? or is it a x99 thing only?
cheers boris

[core.pan]

Hey man I just wanted to say that I just got an ASUS x299 SAGE and I'll have the same problem as you with my 4th card. I think the solution is the unplug the USB front panel headers and then for evrything that is power button, led etc you just skip using that extra piece from asus in between the header and the cables. That way it's smaller and then a card have room to fit in. Still need to test that theory tho, will keep you updated.
Also as you can see in this video the guy fit 4GPU easy so I guess its possible : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYmIn95hp8k

[Chlamo]

Hi,

I'm also thinking of getting the Asus X299 Sage but with the new i9 9800x processor. With the same goal of being able to run 4 1080ti hybrids or 2080ti's hybrids (If they ever gets released). Would I have the same issues with that setup? Also since the Sage is of CEB type, would it fit a chassi like the Fractal Design XL R2 for example?

[boris]

Hi,

I'm also thinking of getting the Asus X299 Sage but with the new i9 9800x processor. With the same goal of being able to run 4 1080ti hybrids or 2080ti's hybrids (If they ever gets released). Would I have the same issues with that setup? Also since the Sage is of CEB type, would it fit a chassi like the Fractal Design XL R2 for example?

if going the x299 route :
personally I would like to get a board without the plx chips because I am afraid the driver thing could be a problem.

the 9800x gives you 44 PCI lanes and there are boards with native 16x 8x 8x 8x configs.
but most of them with 4 double width pci slots have some drawbacks:

evga x299 dark: "only" 64GB ram, otherwise must be a hell of a board
Asus - ROG RAMPAGE VI EXTREME: bad VRM cooling, you pay for the rgb
gigabyte x299 aorus master: NEW, no reviews yet
MSI X299 MEG Creation: NEW, no reviews yet, looks as awful like its x399 counterpart ("for creative people", with that design, hahaha)

then again the x299 SAGE must be a great board (other than those fitting problems on the last slot).
DID ANYBODY RUN INTO THE PLX ISSUES WITH A ASUS x299 SAGE?

[core.pan]

I hope not ! I'll tell you soon should finish the build and install evrything this week end. As for the other question I mounted mine yesterday in a full tower case so no problem. for the fractal design as long as its eatx friendly.

[boris]

Also as you can see in this video the guy fit 4GPU easy so I guess its possible : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYmIn95hp8k

but that one is the x99 sage...

[mattking]

Hey man I just wanted to say that I just got an ASUS x299 SAGE and I'll have the same problem as you with my 4th card. I think the solution is the unplug the USB front panel headers and then for evrything that is power button, led etc you just skip using that extra piece from asus in between the header and the cables. That way it's smaller and then a card have room to fit in. Still need to test that theory tho, will keep you updated.
Also as you can see in this video the guy fit 4GPU easy so I guess its possible : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYmIn95hp8k

Im at my wits end with these mobo issues!
Ok so Ive tried again just now to fit my 4th card. I first disconnected the USB 2 connections and my fan header, but unfortunately the other front panel connections ( power, reset, HDD LED, etc ) are also blocking the GPU from sliding in fully. They are the same height as the USB headers so it makes sense that these would also cause an issue. I could actually do without plugging in all the headers, but obviously I need the power button connection....

Also I forgot to mention in my original post, but going back to the "support" from ASUS that was utterly useless BTW...The guy didnt really put forward any helpful suggestions, I had to ask him loads of questions and make my own suggestions for him to come back with anything. I said that Id seen someone in the US on a forum that had bought some flexible male to female jumper cables and it worked for him, that way the plastic bit on the connections dosnt block the card from going in like these: https://frys.com/product/6250850;jsessi ... IN_RSLT_PG
But I couldn't find them online to buy. ( or in the UK ) When I mentioned this solution to the support on ASUS he suggested buying normal front panel connections and shaving a bit of the end of the plastic off....I was really surprised he suggested that but as I was desperate, I bought some and tried and no surprises, its not a good idea. You just end up destroying the cable.

So Im back to the beginning. Unless someone has another solution, Ill need to buy a new mobo, but Im still not clear which is the best from your guys solutions. I think the sage has a PLX chip in it? Are there no other mobos that people can suggest that dont have PLX chip and that can fit 4 x EVGA GTX1080 cards??