Enough slot spacing for Multiple GPUs?

[skayd666]

Hello,

I'm wanting to have x2080 tis cards for a gpu rig.
I've gone with a maximus XI hero motherboard but I'm concerned about spacing between the two gpus.
From looking at the board here - https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-XI-HERO/

It looks like there's a bit of space between the first two slots, does anyone know if this will be enough?

I haven't got the gpus yet but could go for something around 50-58mm in width.

Another option would be to go with this motherboard - https://www.asus.com/us/Commercial-Servers-Workstations/WS-Z390-PRO/

Would this allow me to leave a slot in between?

I am going with the i9 9900k for the processor.

Thanks in advance!

 

[anotherdrew]

Spacing between the slots is standard (has to match the slot spacing of your case). As a result, video cards are made to fit in that standard (ok, there are some exceptions, but they are few). 2 cards will fit, but they will be close together. This is normal.

Per the owner's manual of the Hero board, the recommended configuration is slot 1 and 2 (really 2 and 4, since 1 and 3 are PCIe x1 slots). Both cards will run at x8.

Per the owner's manual of the WS Z390 PRO, the recommended configuration is slot 1 and 4 (which is the 1st and 3rd x16 slots). Both cards will run at x16. You will have a lots of space between.

 

[skayd666]

Spacing between the slots is standard (has to match the slot spacing of your case). As a result, video cards are made to fit in that standard (ok, there are some exceptions, but they are few). 2 cards will fit, but they will be close together. This is normal.

Per the owner's manual of the Hero board, the recommended configuration is slot 1 and 2 (really 2 and 4, since 1 and 3 are PCIe x1 slots). Both cards will run at x8.

Per the owner's manual of the WS Z390 PRO, the recommended configuration is slot 1 and 4 (which is the 1st and 3rd x16 slots). Both cards will run at x16. You will have a lots of space between.

Hey,

thanks for the response.

I am going for the Corsair 750d, would that board line up?

I've been reading and the 2080tis aren't good super close together. I've decided to go with a card that is 40mm in width.
Which says dual slot. Just had a look at the manual and the space between 2 and 4 looks bigger. So is it right to say if I get a dual slot card there will be a gap equal to one slot in between?

A lot of 2080 tis are 2.5-3 slots but the gigabyte wind force OC shows at ~40mm.

Thanks again!

 

[anotherdrew]

Any ATX case will work (full ATX ... not the micro ATX). You picked a pretty nice one.

Almost all cards are dual slot cards now. With the WS Z390 motherboard, the arrangement will look a lot like this : https://www.corsair.com/medias/sys_master/images/images/h1d/h67/9110257958942/-CC-9011035-WW-Gallery-750D-010.png , but without the card inbetween. It is actually 2 slot width between the cards.

I had not really looked at the 2080ti much (bit rich for my blood), but you are certainly right that 3 slot is not uncommon. That would indicate to me that they are not expecting you to use 2 of them. Speaking of ... 2 2080ti ... are you sure that's how you want to spend your money? It's a beast of a card already and with 2 you don't get twice as much performance

https://hothardware.com/reviews/nvidia-nvlink-review-taking-sli-to-the-next-level?page=1

IDK ... maybe you have a special application your thinking about.

 

[skayd666]

Any ATX case will work (full ATX ... not the micro ATX). You picked a pretty nice one.

Almost all cards are dual slot cards now. With the WS Z390 motherboard, the arrangement will look a lot like this : https://www.corsair.com/medias/sys_master/images/images/h1d/h67/9110257958942/-CC-9011035-WW-Gallery-750D-010.png , but without the card inbetween. It is actually 2 slot width between the cards.

I had not really looked at the 2080ti much (bit rich for my blood), but you are certainly right that 3 slot is not uncommon. That would indicate to me that they are not expecting you to use 2 of them. Speaking of ... 2 2080ti ... are you sure that's how you want to spend your money? It's a beast of a card already and with 2 you don't get twice as much performance

https://hothardware.com/reviews/nvidia-nvlink-review-taking-sli-to-the-next-level?page=1

IDK ... maybe you have a special application your thinking about.

Hey, thanks for the reply!
The cards on the image look really thick,.

I'll be using it for 3d rendering so I think two will give me the performance I need. I'm looking at this card -
https://www.ebuyer.com/857836-gigabyte-geforce-rtx-2080-ti-windforce-oc-11gb-graphics-card-gv-n208twf3oc-11gc

It has a width of ~40mm

Do you think two will fit on this board - https://www.asus.com/uk/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-XI-HERO-WI-FI/
with a slot space in between?

I'm guessing I need a bit of a gap for better airflow, alternatively I could get the blower style? Would that be better?

Thanks!

 

[anotherdrew]

I was looking at that Hero motherboard again. There are actually 2 slots between the 2 main x16 slots, so it would defiantly fit.

I agree that a gap is required. The back plates on modern video cards get pretty hot and with them close together you're just pulling hot air off the back plate of the neighbor card. Personally I have avoided multi card setups (I don't need the performance), but I can see the need with complex rendering. Are ascetics important? Look at some of the mining rigs. There are some interesting cases out there that use port extenders and vertical card installation. Maybe that's getting a bit extra.

 

[skayd666]

I was looking at that Hero motherboard again. There are actually 2 slots between the 2 main x16 slots, so it would defiantly fit.

I agree that a gap is required. The back plates on modern video cards get pretty hot and with them close together you're just pulling hot air off the back plate of the neighbor card. Personally I have avoided multi card setups (I don't need the performance), but I can see the need with complex rendering. Are ascetics important? Look at some of the mining rigs. There are some interesting cases out there that use port extenders and vertical card installation. Maybe that's getting a bit extra.

So do you know if that would fit but also with a gap enough to not hinder the performance of the other card?


I think that is beyond my knowledge lol I don't even know how to put gpus in. I'm getting the PC prebuilt without gpus so will have to figure out how to install them myself.

Would using a GPU riser be good in this situation?

 

[anotherdrew]

Ok ... so I finally looked it up. There are 20 mm (some say 20.3 mm) from slot center to slot center. On the Hero board there 2 slots between, so it is about 60mm between the slots. With a 40 mm card (2 slot card) that would leave a 20 mm gap. That's more than some setups I have seen.

There are so fun things you can do with risers, but you also need a way to secure the cards (custom case or mod). If you are getting this pre-built then it will probably come in a standard case.

Installation is quite easy. Do remember to turn off your power supply before doing anything.

 

[skayd666]

Ok ... so I finally looked it up. There are 20 mm (some say 20.3 mm) from slot center to slot center. On the Hero board there 2 slots between, so it is about 60mm between the slots. With a 40 mm card (2 slot card) that would leave a 20 mm gap. That's more than some setups I have seen.

There are so fun things you can do with risers, but you also need a way to secure the cards (custom case or mod). If you are getting this pre-built then it will probably come in a standard case.

Installation is quite easy. Do remember to turn off your power supply before doing anything.

Ah amazing! So the 20mm should be enough. Where did you find this information? Also, thanks a lot for helping man!

 

[anotherdrew]

I googled "PC slot spacing mm" and "SLI bridge length".