Motherboard PCI-E 3.0x2 that runs dual x16

[anomnious]

Hello tom's community:

I am in the process of building my first computer and want it to be extremely upgradeable. I believe that getting dual 3.0 x16 PCI-E slots is the way to go.

However I have not been able to locate a Z68 motherboard that can satisfy these parameters, does anyone know if there is a decent motherboard that fills these specifications and if not whether one will be released relatively soon?

Thank you for your information

Sincerely, PC Guy
Enthusiast

 

[clutchc]

Depending on your definition of 'decent', these fit your criteria:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627+600093976+600176035&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=280&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=

 

[Dereck47]

Depending on your definition of 'decent', these fit your criteria:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627+600093976+600176035&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=280&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=

Sorry, but none of the boards listed with your link support 2 cards at x16 each.

 

[anomnious]

Like taking bamboo from a panda =(

 

[Dereck47]

This board supports 2 cards running together at x16 each but it's PCIe 2.0, not 3.0.
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3752#sp

 

[anomnious]

This board supports 2 cards running together at x16 each but it's PCIe 2.0, not 3.0.
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3752#sp

Unfortunately I am going for a highly adaptable build and so am looking for the best pci-e slots my current prospect is the ASrock Extreme 7 Gen3 Mobo but only wish it was dual 3.0

 

[Dereck47]

Probably be about a year before those boards come out.

 

[anomnious]

That is most unfortunate I think I'll wait until January just to see if the 2011 forces upgrades to the LG1155 Z68's as well as to consider the capabilities of bulldozer.

 

[clutchc]

Sorry, but none of the boards listed with your link support 2 cards at x16 each.

Sorry. I missed your x16 x16 @ PCIx16 3.0 requirement. Since no graphics cards saturate the x8 bandwidth today, I just assumed that would be OK. My bad.

 

[suteck]

This one does as you've seen, including the dual X8, not 16. But you should read the exerts - ASRock Fatal1ty Z68 Professional Gen3 Motherboard

The first two PCI Express x16 slots are connected directly to the CPU integrated PCI Express controller. When only one video card is installed, the first slot works at x16 speed, but when you install two video cards, each slot works at x8 speed. These slots support both SLI and CrossFireX technologies.

This motherboard is touted to have “PCI Express 3.0” (a.k.a. “Gen3”) slots. For a Z68-based motherboard to support PCI Express x16 3.0 slots, two prerequisites are necessary. First, since these slots are controlled by the CPU, you will need to have a CPU with an embedded PCI Express 3.0 controller. Second, the motherboard must use PCI Express 3.0 channel switch chips.

Intel CPUs with an embedded PCI Express 3.0 controller are not available yet. (The first CPU with this feature will be the “Ivy Bridge.”) So, even if you install the latest Intel CPU, the PCI Express x16 slots will still be 2.0, since the PCI Express controller embedded in the CPU is 2.0.

However, this motherboard uses PCI Express 3.0 channel switch chips (NXP L04083B). See Figure 3. This means that when socket 1155 “Ivy Bridge” CPUs become available, you will be able to explore the full potential of the PCI Express 3.0 connection – if you have a PCI Express 3.0 video card installed as well. (There are no video cards based on this standard yet.) Motherboards based on the Intel Z68 chipset that use PCI Express 2.0 channel switch chips won’t support PCI Express 3.0, and even if you install an “Ivy Bridge” CPU with a PCI Express 3.0 video card, the slots will work at 2.0 speeds. The third PCI Express x16 slot always works at x4 speed.

I did read from AnandTech a while back the the new 2011 will have the dual X16 slots. Kinda what I'm waiting for also.

 

[anomnious]

Thanks for all the information and effort by everyone this has really cleared up a lot on my dilema and I look forward to talking to the community again when the new motherboards are released!

 

[anomnious]

Best answer selected by anomnious.