Asus ROG Maximus Apex

[kawasakizx636]

Hey guys, i just upgraded my motherboard to the Asus ROG Maximus IX Apex and am going to do my first 2 way SLI. My question is, which size SLI bridge do I need? I'm going to be purchasing the EVGA HB bridge. I see their sizing chart but i don't have the board yet and would like to have this ordered asap, so that i can have it once my new board arrives "friday".

What's confusing me, is that on their website, it says...

3 x PCIe 3.0 x16 SafeSlots (CPU)
2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots (PCH)
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (PCH)
https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-IX-APEX/overview/

But when i click on specs, it says....

1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16
1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x8
2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x1
2 x PCIe 3.0 x4
https://www.asus.com/ca-en/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-IX-APEX/specifications/

The website does say that it supports....

Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology
Supports NVIDIA® 2-Way SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD 4-Way CrossFireX Technology

I have two EVGA GTX 1080 FTW, that have double fans on them.

When looking at the motherboard pictures, it seems like if i use the fist two PCIe slots, that my cards will be very close to each other. Is that how i should install them? Or should i put one in slot 1 and the other in slot 3 "if that's possible"? With either setup, i'm not sure which SLI spacing I need. I won't be adding waterblocks to the graphics cards.

Hope to hear from someone, thanks.

 

[Suztera]

SLI HB bridge is included with your motherboard. You don't really need to buy another one unless it's for aesthetics reasons.
You would want 2-WAY-L which also means 80mm spacing between the SLI fingers.
Your motherboard only support SLI on slot 1 and slot 4 if you are referring to the motherboard's manual:
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/MAXIMUS_IX_APEX/E12404_MAXIMUS_IX_APEX_UM_V2_WEB.pdf

 

[kawasakizx636]

SLI HB bridge is included with your motherboard. You don't really need to buy another one unless it's for aesthetics reasons.
You would want 2-WAY-L which also means 80mm spacing between the SLI fingers.
Your motherboard only support SLI on slot 1 and slot 4 if you are referring to the motherboard's manual:
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/MAXIMUS_IX_APEX/E12404_MAXIMUS_IX_APEX_UM_V2_WEB.pdf

Ya, it's for aesthetics, love the look of it.
What page do you see that on? I'm looking at the motherboard layout on page 1-2 and slot 4 says PCIe x4. I can't find anything about doing SLI. Shouldn't I want slot 1 and 3 so that it can be PCIe x 8 slots. I see many people using x16 slots or x8 slots. And why does the main overview page say 3 PCIe x 16 slots? Does that just mean that i can use either one of the three slots as x16 and once i use one slot, i can't use another as x16?

Thanks for the reply, i appreciate it.

EDIT: I just seen this in the manual....

New 7th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors
2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (supports x16, x8/x8)
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (max. at x4 mode)

Intel®Z270 Express Chipset
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (max. at x4 mode)
2 x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots

I have the i7 7700k cpu. Does that mean i can do 2 x 8? Does 1 and 4 do that, even though it doesn't say 8 in slot 4. Sorry if this is a dumb question, i'm never done SLI before.

 

[Suztera]

Under chapter 1.1.5 Expansion slots.
You can only use the 1st pcie x16 slot and the 3rd pcie x16 slot.
With your motherboard, 2 WAY SLI can be only run on these slots at X8/X8 mode.
PCIe x 16 slots means it is physically for up to x16 pcie cards. The speeds/ modes it can run at is within the brackets after each slot.

 

[kawasakizx636]

Under chapter 1.1.5 Expansion slots.
You can only use the 1st pcie x16 slot and the 3rd pcie x16 slot.
With your motherboard, 2 WAY SLI can be only run on these slots at X8/X8 mode.
PCIe x 16 slots means it is physically for up to x16 pcie cards. The speeds/ modes it can run at is within the brackets after each slot.

Thanks for the reply. I sorta understand now. When you mentioned my motherboard can only run 2 way sli with these slots...did you mean slots 1 and 3, or 1 and 4. I'm fine with 8x8, just need to make sure i go with the correct slots.

EDIT: ignore this last msg, i wasn't looking at the diagram correctly. When i thought i was looking at slot 4, i was actually looking at slot 6. I was looking at the last number in "PCIe 3.0 X4_4" Since the first pcie slot had a 1 at the end and the 6th slot showed a 4 at the end. When scrolling down, i see the chart that clearly shows what slot is what. I see that slot 1 and 4 are the only ones that support x8.

Thanks so much for the help, i wish i would have seen the diagram earlier, i wouldn't have had to start this thread.

 

[Suztera]

Under chapter 1.1.5 Expansion slots.
You can only use the 1st pcie x16 slot and the 3rd pcie x16 slot.
With your motherboard, 2 WAY SLI can be only run on these slots at X8/X8 mode.
PCIe x 16 slots means it is physically for up to x16 pcie cards. The speeds/ modes it can run at is within the brackets after each slot.

Thanks for the reply. I sorta understand now. When you mentioned my motherboard can only run 2 way sli with these slots...did you mean slots 1 and 3, or 1 and 4. I'm fine with 8x8, just need to make sure i go with the correct slots.

The 1st pcie x16 slot and the 3rd pcie x16 slot.
Or Slot 1 and 4 if you are reading the page under chapter 1.1.5 Expansion slots of the manual.

 

[kawasakizx636]

Thanks, i see that now, looks like i was a lil slow editing my last post.

 

[Suztera]

Thanks, i see that now, looks like i was a lil slow editing my last post.

No worries.
If in doubt remember to read the manual for information when you building your system. Most of the time, there is enough information for your questions to be answered.

 

[kawasakizx636]

Thanks, i see that now, looks like i was a lil slow editing my last post.

No worries.
If in doubt remember to read the manual for information when you building your system. Most of the time, there is enough information for your questions to be answered.

Ya, i didn't think of the manual since i don't have the motherboard yet and i wanted to order the bridge so that i have it when the board comes. I didn't think of the online manual. Thanks again, looks like i need to order the EVGA HB 2 slot spacing "80mm" SLI bridge

 

[kawasakizx636]

Well this sucks. I just got my new power supply to get the SLI going and it doesn't come with the cables that I need. The power supply is a evga supernova 850 T2.

My other psu has a cable that has two 6+2 pins on the end to connect the 1080. With this power supply, the end has one 6 pin and the other is 6+2. It comes with two of those and also come with two single 8 pin connectors. Gtx 1080 has two 8 pin. I'm reading online and I can't seem to find anything except for everyone saying to use the cables supplied with the psu and not the adapter that comes with the gpu.

Where do I get the proper cables? Or can I somehow use a 6 pin and 8 pin?

 

[Suztera]

Well this sucks. I just got my new power supply to get the SLI going and it doesn't come with the cables that I need. The power supply is a evga supernova 850 T2.

My other psu has a cable that has two 6+2 pins on the end to connect the 1080. With this power supply, the end has one 6 pin and the other is 6+2. It comes with two of those and also come with two single 8 pin connectors. Gtx 1080 has two 8 pin. I'm reading online and I can't seem to find anything except for everyone saying to use the cables supplied with the psu and not the adapter that comes with the gpu.

Where do I get the proper cables? Or can I somehow use a 6 pin and 8 pin?

If it's labelled "VGA", it's fine to use the single 6+2 pin connector.
You get four 6+2 connectors and two 6 pins connector to use with your psu. It's plenty enough for SLI.

You can see what cables are given to use with the manufacturer website and reviews:
https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=220-T2-0850-X1
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/evga-supernova-850-t2-power-supply,review-33506.html

 

[kawasakizx636]

Ya, I guess I have to use 4 cables and have the two 6pin hanging disconnected. I wish it was two 8 pin like my Seagate 650. Cleaner install with just using one cable for each gpu.