P5B Deluxe and SLI?

[randyb2112]

The second 16x PCIE slot is capable of running at 4x. Is this fast enough for a second video card? When running SLI how much bandwidthe does the second card really need? How much of the data is transfered through the SLI connector on the cards themselves? The latest BIOS from ASUS says that the board now has support for ATI's crossfire SLI solution. What about Nvidia video cards in SLI?
I am very interested in a real discussuion of the possibilities of this solution.

 

[badge]

How much of the data is transfered through the SLI connector on the cards themselves?

Breaking news. The P5B Deluxe does not support SLI technology.

The latest BIOS from ASUS says that the board now has support for ATI's crossfire SLI solution.

Can you post a link? Crossfire is ATI's version of SLI.

What about Nvidia video cards in SLI?

Nvidia cards work fine on the P5B Deluxe, but the board does not do SLI.

 

[randyb2112]

The board has 2 physical 16x pcie slots. They both will accept video cards. the second pcie just is limited to 4x. Hench the CrossFire support.
0706
😀
2006/09/22 update

OS

DOS

Description

P5B Deluxe Beta BIOS version 0706
1 Enhance CrossFire performance.
2 Enable NVIDIA 7950GX2 display under crashfree mode
3 Fix CPU frequency not correct when use ES CPU and lock free fuction enable
4 Fix memory display message not correct under multi-language
5 Add Kentsfield B3 uCode

 

[randyb2112]

I was hoping to see a discussion on the impact 4x PCIE would have on the second card in a Nvidia SLI scenereo. I know the P5B doesn't officially support SLI. But people make lots of things work that aren't officially supported.
The 16x slot has 4GB/s bandwidth and the 4x slot has 1GB/s bandwidthe. in a SLI situation what effect would this have on performance. I am hoping for a real discussion not just "it won't work" without any resoning as to why. If 1GB/s is too limiteing then let me know why.
Thanks.

 

[badge]

I was hoping to see a discussion on the impact 4x PCIE would have on the second card in a Nvidia SLI scenereo.

The 965 chip does not support SLI. Nvidia chipsets do. The P5B Deluxe will not run two video cards in SLI configuration.

I know the P5B doesn't officially support SLI.

Offically?

But people make lots of things work that aren't officially supported.

Lots of things. Make SLI work on a chipset that doesn't support it?

The 16x slot has 4GB/s bandwidth and the 4x slot has 1GB/s bandwidthe. in a SLI situation what effect would this have on performance.

None what so ever. Two Nvidia cards will not work in an SLI configuration on an Intel 965 chipset. You need an Nvida chipset that supports SLI.

I am hoping for a real discussion not just "it won't work" without any resoning as to why. If 1GB/s is too limiteing then let me know why.

Why? :roll: 8O

 

[badge]

The board has 2 physical 16x pcie slots. They both will accept video cards. the second pcie just is limited to 4x. Hench the CrossFire support.
0706
😀
2006/09/22 update

OS

DOS

Description

P5B Deluxe Beta BIOS version 0706
1 Enhance CrossFire performance.
2 Enable NVIDIA 7950GX2 display under crashfree mode
3 Fix CPU frequency not correct when use ES CPU and lock free fuction enable
4 Fix memory display message not correct under multi-language
5 Add Kentsfield B3 uCode

Thanks Randy. The BIOS you listed is a BETA. There is a new version dated 10/4/06 today that appears to not be a BETA for the P5B Deluxe.

 

[randyb2112]

The board has 2 physical 16x pcie slots. They both will accept video cards. the second pcie just is limited to 4x. Hench the CrossFire support.
0706
😀
2006/09/22 update

OS

DOS

Description

P5B Deluxe Beta BIOS version 0706
1 Enhance CrossFire performance.
2 Enable NVIDIA 7950GX2 display under crashfree mode
3 Fix CPU frequency not correct when use ES CPU and lock free fuction enable
4 Fix memory display message not correct under multi-language
5 Add Kentsfield B3 uCode

Thanks Randy. The BIOS you listed is a BETA. There is a new version dated 10/4/06 today that appears to not be a BETA for the P5B Deluxe.

I posted that one because it listed "CrossFire" support.
I just got done running my 7950GX2 in the other slot. It won't see both GPU's. It will only run as 1 card. Bandwidth or no PCIE switch support? Tri SLI?
Anyone have a 7900GT I can borrow? LOL

 

[badge]

The board has 2 physical 16x pcie slots. They both will accept video cards. the second pcie just is limited to 4x. Hench the CrossFire support.
0706
😀
2006/09/22 update

OS

DOS

Description

P5B Deluxe Beta BIOS version 0706
1 Enhance CrossFire performance.
2 Enable NVIDIA 7950GX2 display under crashfree mode
3 Fix CPU frequency not correct when use ES CPU and lock free fuction enable
4 Fix memory display message not correct under multi-language
5 Add Kentsfield B3 uCode

Thanks Randy. The BIOS you listed is a BETA. There is a new version dated 10/4/06 today that appears to not be a BETA for the P5B Deluxe.

I posted that one because it listed "CrossFire" support.
I just got done running my 7950GX2 in the other slot. It won't see both GPU's. It will only run as 1 card. Bandwidth or no PCIE switch support? Tri SLI?
Anyone have a 7900GT I can borrow? LOL

New 0711 (I think) BOS listed today 10/4 on the ASUS website P5B Deluxe page downloads/BIOS. I wasn't sure about the crossfire support, but it looks like the latest BIOS revisions now add support to the P5B Deluxe. I flashed my board to the 6xx version and stopped at the BETA versions offered. I'm using an x1800xt and don't plan on going Crossfire. GL. Nice video card BTW.

 

[randyb2112]

Thanks, I was hopeing for a quad SLI down the road... Way down the road. LOL
Whats the point in having the second video slot?

 

[badge]

Thanks, I was hopeing for a quad SLI down the road... Way down the road. LOL
Whats the point in having the second video slot?

I started noticing the second video slot. LOL! So... got my box out and searched high and low for the words, 'Crossfire Ready!". None to be found. Last time I emailed Asus support and asked a question, it took me half an hour to decipher the Pidgeon english reply. And you know the funny thing...it worked!!! :lol:

 

[randyb2112]

Try benchmarking your card in each slot and post up the results. I was having trouble getting the 7950GX2 to use both GPU's in the second slot. I don't know if I didn't set the drivers right or if it was a hardware problem but I got half the score I normally do. Like only one GPU was running. That dual card is a real pain to get in and out so I am not switching it back to the 4x slot right now.

 

[picard]

does this mean the P5B deluxe can support both Nvidia & ATI card simultaneously?