M.2 Ultra slows down gpu on x99? (Asrock extreme6)

[Michael Leon]

I'm looking for a x99 motherboard and i really like the Asrock extreme6. I looked for de asus x99 Deluxe but i have read too many negative reviews about it, unfortunately. The extreme6 has everything i need. So just when i thought to have found the perfect motherboard for me i ran into another site that mentioned this about the M.2 ultra:

"(...)But there is a problem. On the Intel Z97 platform PCI Express 3.0 is only supported by the microprocessor itself. The CPU has 16 PCI Express 3.0 lanes that can be used to connect a graphics card in PCIe 3.0 x16 mode or reconfigured as 8+8 lanes (to support a dual-GPU configuration) or 8+4+4 lanes (to support a multi-GPU or multi-PCIe devices configuration). As a result, once an SSD in plugged into the Ultra M.2 slot, the bandwidth between central processing unit and graphics processing unit is cut-down by half. Therefore, while the end-user gets additional SSD performance, he/she may lose some GPU performance because of insufficient bandwidth between it and the CPU.
If one needs maximum storage performance and he or she can sacrifice certain amount of graphics processing performance for that, then Asrock Z97 Extreme/6 with Ultra M.2 slot is a product to watch. Not all GPU workloads require massive amount of PCIe bandwidth, thus, such a compromise may make a lot of sense. But for those, who prefer to have maximum graphics performance Asrock’s solution is hardly an option."

I know it is about another platform, but will the M.2 ultra slow down my gpu on x99?

 

[BadActor]

Not if your only using one GPU (Z97 only). Having the the one card at x8 won't noticeably affect it's performance. If your going to go SLI and want to use the M.2 slot, then the X99 may be a better option as it will have 28 lanes with a 5820K or 40 with a 5930k/60k.

 

[Michael Leon]

Not if your only using one GPU (Z97 only). Having the the one card at x8 won't noticeably affect it's performance. If your going to go SLI and want to use the M.2 slot, then the X99 may be a better option as it will have 28 lanes with a 5820K or 40 with a 5930k/60k.

I know the text is about the z97, but i was wondering if the same problem would occur with the x99. I will have the i7 5930k and the Asus strix gtx 970. At the moment I won't go SLI, but in the future i will. I need to be certain that it won't affect my gpu, as I'm going to use the computer for photoshop and video editing, but also for 3d rendering. I can't cut down on graphics.

Is there another mobo that you would recommend? For instance, how does the Asrock x99 fatality professional compare to the extreme6? Or any other brand? (i have read a lot of bad reviews about asus, otherwise i was opting for de asus x99 deluxe). I going to overclock.

 

[speach]

I know the text is about the z97, but i was wondering if the same problem would occur with the x99. I will have the i7 5930k and the Asus strix gtx 970. At the moment I won't go SLI, but in the future i will. I need to be certain that it won't affect my gpu, as I'm going to use the computer for photoshop and video editing, but also for 3d rendering. I can't cut down on graphics.

X99 with 40 lanes can run 2 cards at x16 in SLI and another 8 lanes of PCI devices (for example 2x m.2 drives). 40 lanes is the highest you'll get short of the Asus X99-E WS which can run 4 cards at x16 using additional board controlled PCI lanes (total of 64 PCI lanes).