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Question

Asus x99 MB's: Must I choose between Sli x16x16 and no PCEIx1 slot

Mar 2, 2015 11:22PM PST

I'd love to buy the new Asus x99 PRO but it looks like if I run two 980's in SLI x16x16, I would not have access to and use of the PCIEx1 slots. The cards will cover those.

I'd want to be able to have the sli in x16 x16 (slot 1 & 3) and the PCEI slots usable for my Creative Z sound card and the add on M.2 PCIE add on card.

I currently have the z77 sabertooth that has the PCEI slot offset as to not be blocked by the video card. All the x99 boards have this issue. It seems like a very poor design and layout to me! Or am I missing something? Please help me understand. Thank you.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Odd choice. Why the sound card? Link follows.
Mar 2, 2015 11:46PM PST
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Asus
Mar 3, 2015 12:45AM PST

Asus because of past poor experience with Asrock. Gigabyte has the layout I need for sli and sound card but is poorly reviewed and does not have the OC features Asus has added. Asus z77 has been a great board for me. MSI has the same poor layout, sli video cards blocking the pcei slots needed for the Creative Z
On board sound has never been as good as a dedicated sound card for gaming.

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Then there is no board for you today?
Mar 3, 2015 12:53AM PST

For me, I never overclock since I want stability. But your choice. maybe this build will have to wait till you find your board.

Just wondering, SLI tends to be a magnet for problems. And some folk get very upset over failures in SLI due to crashes, no support and more. The single card solutions seem less problematic.
Bob

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Reply
Mar 3, 2015 4:00AM PST

The z77 has been very stable for me for over two years now-2600k oc'ed today 4.4 with evga 670's in sli.

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Which begs the question.
Mar 3, 2015 6:05AM PST

Why not continue with this board? Upgrade as you see fit.

Here I pop in SSDs and my gamer friends that didn't have such figure they saved themselves from a total new build.

If you already have that, why not change up the 670's?
Bob