GA-Z270XP-SLI 6-GPU No Boot

[volkgren]

I just got a 6th GPU to add to this mining rig using the Gigabyte GA-Z270XP-SLI motherboard. I was running 5 GPUs just fine. It has 6x PCIe slots. In the past I had trouble getting Windows 10 to recognize 6x AMD GPUs. So this time I'm using 2x Nvidia and 4x AMD. However, anytime a 6th GPU is connected it fails to boot. I just get a black screen with the small white cursor blinking.

GA-Z270XP-SLI
Pentium G4600
1x8GB G.Skill DDR4 2800
SeaSonic PRIME Gold 1200W
2x MSI RX 570 4GB GAMING X
2x Sapphire RX 580 8GB Nitro+
2x Zotac GTX 1070 Ti Mini
6x PCIe 1x to 16x risers
9 fans

With 5 cards it maxed out at about 900W at full load, 750W with power mods. I just added an RX 580 with a power modded BIOS, so it shouldn't be a lack of power.

Are there just some boards that won't boot with 6 GPUs?

 

[Mark RM]

I'm assuming all the cards are on risers when I write this.

first, test the slot with five GPU's and something else plugged into it... whatever.. USB card, nic, anything.

second, try isolating the sixth card on it's own PSU, sometimes we just draw too much from these PC power supplies over a single connection and it just wont... headroom or not.

Third, disable every single add on device in BIOS you're not actively needing to use. Really you only need a SATA port to boot with and some USB, turn off all the extras.

Six cards is normally easy.

 

[gfamudslinger88]

I am having the same issue with the same board. Only I am running gtx 1060. Been through bios and changed speed to gen2 and gen 1 but it doesnt help. Ive had 5 working and added the 6th and nothing. Now im at the point I cant get it reconize only 2 cards. Bios is updated to 8. Sounds like we have a similar issue. Did you ever resolve yours?

 

[volkgren]

Well I switched back to 5 cards and running other card in another system. So I haven't actually tried to resolve. What power supply are you using for 6x GTX 1060?

I think the board just isn't going to do it. MSI had a list of boards that work with 6 GPUs or more. I know this is Gigabyte, but it makes me think some boards just aren't up for it I guess. I'll know which motherboards to look for in the future.

https://www.msi.com/blog/Mining_Intel_Motherboard_Go_with_MSI_100_200_Series_Motherboard

 

[gfamudslinger88]

I am using 2 750w power supplies. I cant get it to recognize the cards but half the time. The other half its 1 or 2 it sees and the others arent even showing up in device manager. What a headache. Have you done the updated chipset drivers? I am about to do that now. I called gigabyte tech line and the tech made it seem like you could use the F22 bios from the 170 boards and use it on the 270. His English was broken and I am not going to risk it until I can get some confirmation from someone. He said it has the 4G option we need.

 

[volkgren]

I used the latest BIOS update (F8) after it not working with the older BIOS (I don't remember what it was.) Neither worked.

 

[gfamudslinger88]

Ive gotten 5 to work so far. I dont guess they are set up to work with 6 which sucks because I could have bought a 5 board for alot less than this 6. So now I have 2 extra 1060 sitting around. Guess Ill have to buy another board or build another rig.

 

[gfamudslinger88]

Problem solved. Gigabyte has an updated bios created for this board. I currently have 7 cards (one in the m.2 slot) running with zero problems. Contact the the tech at gigabyte via phone or email at robertpi@gigabyteusa.com and ask for the F9A mining bios.

 

[riley.hottovy]

Problem solved. Gigabyte has an updated bios created for this board. I currently have 7 cards (one in the m.2 slot) running with zero problems. Contact the the tech at gigabyte via phone or email at robertpi@gigabyteusa.com and ask for the F9A mining bios.

Are you able to send the bios? I have the same problem, contacted support, and they didn't know what I was talking about

 

[gfamudslinger88]

I can. What is your email and I will forward the message to you containing the bios.

 

[riley.hottovy]

I can. What is your email and I will forward the message to you containing the bios.

I PM'd you!

 

[volkgren]

Well geez, would be nice for me to get that BIOS. :/

 

[volkgren]

I got the F9A BIOS from Gigabyte support mentioned above, will be trying it soon. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VbusXI-5jA8ELGlGr0jhGZpI_8Zo_mGG

 

[volkgren]

I finally installed the mining BIOS F9A and now I can't get any drive to show as a boot drive. The system boots directly to BIOS. Can't reinstall Windows because no boot device shows.

 

[gfamudslinger88]

I finally installed the mining BIOS F9A and now I can't get any drive to show as a boot drive. The system boots directly to BIOS. Can't reinstall Windows because no boot device shows.

You have to reinstall it. That means the OS was installed as a legacy storage and not UFCI or whatever its called. Thats what the teckj told me. I installed windows 10 via usb stick in the port under the LAN line for the eithernet.

 

[volkgren]

Well that's what I wast trying to do with my USB but maybe there was something wrong with the USB. I'm installing it via cd/dvd drive and it's working.

Thanks for the prompt reply.

 

[volkgren]

Btw I found this article on using this motherboard for mining https://www.gigabyte.com/microsite/462/mining.html

 

[bartman1c]

I got the F9A BIOS from Gigabyte support mentioned above, will be trying it soon. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VbusXI-5jA8ELGlGr0jhGZpI_8Zo_mGG

Thank you very much for this upload, because I've been struggling with another gigabyte motherboard (AM4), I just installed this bios on my GA-Z270XP-SLI, installed windows, connected all my cards and boom! All 6 recognized, didn't even took too long to start up the first time, it was so satisfying.

 

[yuchen.yao]

Thank's for everyone's discussion, I have downloaded the F9a bios and then installed it use Q-flash. But after I installed it the computer could no longer start up - I could not even get in to the BIOS screen anymore, the monitor will no longer boot from complete blank screen.... I tried to turn off the PSU, the short the 2 prong CLR_CMOS to reset the BIOS but still nothing show up.... Could any one offer me some suggestions? Thanks!

 

[volkgren]

Thank's for everyone's discussion, I have downloaded the F9a bios and then installed it use Q-flash. But after I installed it the computer could no longer start up - I could not even get in to the BIOS screen anymore, the monitor will no longer boot from complete blank screen.... I tried to turn off the PSU, the short the 2 prong CLR_CMOS to reset the BIOS but still nothing show up.... Could any one offer me some suggestions? Thanks!

I had similar issue, except I could only boot to BIOS. Turns out I had to reinstall my OS after I flashed that bios.

Also, the bios sets your iGPU as default display adapter. So use your motherboard for video cable to monitor.

 

[c-3p0]

Problem solved. Gigabyte has an updated bios created for this board. I currently have 7 cards (one in the m.2 slot) running with zero problems. Contact the the tech at gigabyte via phone or email at robertpi@gigabyteusa.com and ask for the F9A mining bios.

Hey. I'm using the Gigabyte Z270XP-SLI motherboard and I just got a 7th card and a M.2 pcie adapter and I'm unable to get the 7th card recognized in Windows 10 Device Manager. I flashed the BIOS to F9A and reinstalled Windows afterwards and still to little avail. There seems to be some inconsistent information as a tech at Gigabyte told me this motherboard doesn't support a 7th card through m.2 pcie adapter. I know you mentioned you had no issue with yours so I was wondering if you knew what settings in the BIOS you changed to get it to work? I would greatly appreciate a reply from anyone having the same issue.

 

[volkgren]

I've been running non-stop since I posted previously with 7x AMD RX 570/580 cards. This board works better than my ASUS H170 Pro Gaming with 5x Nvidia GTX 1070/1070Ti/1080Ti.

I'm pretty sure this covers all the bios options https://www.gigabyte.com/microsite/462/mining.html

 

[c-3p0]

I've been running non-stop since I posted previously with 7x AMD RX 570/580 cards. This board works better than my ASUS H170 Pro Gaming with 5x Nvidia GTX 1070/1070Ti/1080Ti.

I'm pretty sure this covers all the bios options https://www.gigabyte.com/microsite/462/mining.html

You're using the Z270XP - SLI board with the F9A mining specific Bios and running 7 cards with no issue? Hmm I wonder what I'm missing. I'm familiar with that Gigabyte website link. I followed the steps accordingly and have no issue with 6 cards being recognized it's just the 7th card in the m.2 pcie adapter that is not being recognized. Gigabyte tech said there is a possibility this motherboard won't support 7 and that is why this specific board isn't included in the list of suggested mining motherboards. Do you mind sending some pictures of your BIOS settings? I'd really appreciate it.

 

[volkgren]

Maybe you got a bad M.2 riser. Have you tried with 6 cards using the M.2?

*And yes, I'm using 7x GPU with M.2 riser and F9A mining bios.

 

[c-3p0]

Maybe you got a bad M.2 riser. Have you tried with 6 cards using the M.2?

*And yes, I'm using 7x GPU with M.2 riser and F9A mining bios.

I have two M.2 risers and tried each of them and neither work. I've tried both powering the M.2 riser and not powering it. I've also tried with 6 cards plugging one into the M.2 and that didn't work. I've also tried using a different PCIe 1x to 16x riser and that didn't work either. I also tested the 7th card and it works so that's not it either. I don't want to completely rule out a bad M.2 but then again I don't want to buy more to find out the new ones don't work either. I'm going to order a 1 to 4 PCIe riser adapter board and see if I can get the 7th card running that way. Do you have any other possible solutions in the mean time? Thank you very much for the prompt reply as well.