980 ti SLI + INTEL 750 on MSI X99A SLI PLUS - which PCI-E slots?

bumbala

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Aug 5, 2015
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Hello!

I am running 2x 980 ti (Gigabyte Windforce G1) in SLI and INTEL 750 SSD on motherboard MSI x99A SLI PLUS, with CPU 5820K.

Currently, my GPUs are in two PCI-E slots above each other, which causes the top card to reach 83 degrees while the lower card only reaches 50-60. So in my opinion, it bottlenecks the performance, as the top card starts to underclock - or overclocks less, when I have 83 set as a target temperature in MSI Afterburner or OC GURU II.

The INTEL 750 SSD is running in PCI-E slot beneath the GPUs.

My question is, can I switch the lower GPU for the SSD? I had the PC built for me, so I am not certain if this setup was necessary, or if the person just felt like putting the two cards on top of each other.

The complete manual for the motherboard is availabel for download here:http://msi.com/support/mb/X99A-SLI-PLUS.html#down-manual

The two important pages are here: http://imgur.com/wp5gR50 http://imgur.com/JKux8KR

Basically they state, that on 28 lanes (5820K) the setup for 3-way is x8/x8/x8 on slots 1, 3 and 5.

Does it matter if I will do GPU / SSD / GPU or is the current GPU / GPU / SSD necessary?
 
I don't know the answer, although I'm seriously interested in your thread because I'm about to create a very similar setup. While waiting for others to chime in, let me ask him, what case mfg/model do you have? Since you're using a PCIe SSD, have you considered removing the 5 1/4" drive cages to help with the case's airflow?
 



I am using Fractal Design Define R5. The top cage has been removed, the bottom one is hosting secondary drive. I think it probably helps, since there are two fans on the front side.

If I get no answer I will probably just try switching the cards myself, to see if it runs and if the temperature gets any better.
 
Also, have you considered simply moving the Intel 750 between the two 980's and then running CrystalDisk Reports both before and after the card moves, to verify that performance hasn't changed? Then you can run the Intel Solid State Drive Toolbox to verify the integrity of the 750 after the move, to make sure the addition heat load isn't inadvertently affecting it: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/18455/Intel-Solid-State-Drive-Toolbox
 
As long as the two graphics cards get at least x8 lanes each, AND your SLI bridge is long enough to reach both GPUs, then it doesn't matter which slots they go in.

I don't have time to check the specs now, but if you've quoted the lane arrangement right then it should work. In any case, you can't damage anything, so give it a shot and find out. You can always use GPU-Z to check how many lanes each card has.
 


Thank you, I will do that. The first software measures performance, while the other checks integrity then?

The secondary drive is indeed 3,5".
 



Thank you very much. I will do it then later today and will try to let you know the results :)
 
Tested the performance - it meets the specification of the drive. Tested the health - only done the quick scan - it was all 100%.

Switched the bottom GPU with the drive.

At first, the booting process was unusually long, but since then, its fine. Tested the speed again - it is the same, maybe few % better. And the health shows no difference, but I guess that will take time to show (higher temperature impact). Or the long test, which I might perform later.

The upper GPU is around 10 degrees cooler than before, so that is a massive improvement!
 
That's awesome news and thanks for sharing. I will use the same card placement when I get my second 980 Ti. By the way, read the article below. Allyn from PC Perspective found a way to enable RAID for Intel 750's directly from the BIOS of the new Z170 chipset board. The article states that they couldn't figure it out, but actually they did after the article was published. He'll probably update the article before end of business today.

Intel Skylake / Z170 Rapid Storage Technology Tested - PCIe and SATA RAID
http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Storage/Intel-Skylake-Z170-Rapid-Storage-Technology-Tested-PCIe-and-SATA-RAID
 
A bit late chiming in here, but I have a question about your setup. I have the very same setup and I'm considering an additional 980Ti, to the already installed 980 that I have. Does your PSU not obstruct the GPU if its on the lowest slot?

I badly want to get a 980Ti, I just fear that the space for it is not available.

Howe have you found fitting 2 980Ti's in your system. Anychance of posting a pic to show your arrangement? It would really help me work out if my system can fit the almighty 980Ti.

Thanks dudes!
 



Hi... I have the same motherboard and CPU as you, but instead of the Intel 750, I am using the 950 Pro NVME M.2 SSD. Now, I am about to do the same SLI setup as you and plan to use the EVGA Pro SLI Bridge (V2, 3-Way/2-Way (100-3W-0032-L​R)) with the same video card placement. Have you noticed any drawback to the video card change?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.