Can the P5B run 7950 GX2 ?

[Stigma]

Short question: Can the P5B run 7950 GX2 ?

I am still a little confused as to the exact requirements on the motherboard for running the 2-in-1 type SLI that 7950GX2 uses.

Can anyone enlighten me? =)

-Stigma

[Supertim0r]

i would also like to know

[Kashath]

The P5B Deluxe is working fine with it.

[Supertim0r]

no performance lost compared to 975x ?

[mdzcpa]

no performance lost compared to 975x ?

Nope. Nothing inherent in the graphics subsystem anyway.

The P5B has a 16x PCIE slot which will perform just like the 16x PCIE on the 975 based P5W.

That's not to say that some 975 boards do perform a little quicker than some 965 based boards... generally speaking. But there is nothing about the GX2 that requires anything special over any other high end card on the P5B. The "magic' in the GX2 is all performed by the custom 48 lane PCIE switch located on the GX2 (which provides for a single 16x lane to the slot, and a 16x lane to each of the GPUs).

[Supertim0r]

Thanks for clarification :)

only SLi performance is affected by 965 ?

[Kashath]

At stock settings on my GX2 I'm getting about 8450 in 3DMark06 on a P5B-Deluxe and a 6400 running right around 3ghz. With a little minor OCing of my GX2 I get about 8990. My only problem is that everything keeps reporting it as being at 8x PCI-E in a 16x slot. I've looked through the BIOS and can't find anyway to change it to 16x...

[mdzcpa]

Thanks for clarification :)

only SLi performance is affected by 965 ?

Not from what I've seen. Of the few posted benches from folks using hacked drivers it seems the P5B is putting up scores similar to the P5W. Trouble is, there is little data to draw a good conclusion. First we are stuck with hacked drivers that are old to make SLI work on the Intel chipsets, and second we only have the P5B to test as there aren't many double 16x slotted 965 boards out there.

That all said, I'd suspect the chipset makes little difference anyway. There isn't anything special about the "SLI" capable chipsets except that they have a PCIE switch in them. The exact same kind of switch that is found on the GX2. SLI is really about the software. That's why hacked drivers work on the Intel chipsets. The Intel chipsets also have the PCIE switch...nothing more.

[Supertim0r]

we will see soon

got a set of XFX GTX and a XFX 7950 coming

i'll compare with P5W P5B and Bad Axe

[mdzcpa]

Cool! Keep us posted on your results:)

[R@imizA]

On my setup P5B D and Asus 7950GX2 is not working correct! So i think that P5B D is not the best solution for GX2.

[mdzcpa]

There a good number of P5B users who are running the 7950GX2 just fine. If there was an inherent issue between the P5B and the GX2, you would think that more people would be having problems. Given so many others are running fine, I'd suspect an issue with your particular set up.

EDIT - make sure you have the 0507 BIOS:

1. Support Conroe CPU ratio adjustment
2. Fix some DDR 800 frequency will show DDR 533
3. Enhance performance when using NVDIA 7950GX2 VGA card
4. Fix fail to read files from some ODDs
5. Fix "Hit ''DEL'' message display" item function fail
6. Support Max FSB from 500 MHz to 650 MHz

Also make sure your PSU is up to the task.

[Supertim0r]

7950GX2 605/800 (http://simon.webideal.ca/Bench/8x494%203d.JPG) almost beat 2x 7900GTX (http://simon.webideal.ca/Bench/3d01%2079GTX%20750.900.JPG) vmodded (http://simon.webideal.ca/Gocchin/5.JPG)
work like a charm on the P5B DX :)

[R@imizA]

From which vendors your GX2 is? You can read what hapenned with my asus. here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=115297&highlight=p5b+7950gx2If you have any solution for it it would be nice to hear it from you.

[Supertim0r]

xfx

[RT2]

mine also works like charm..(BFG).
9800 on 3dmark06 after some oc to 600/750.

[mascaras]

my friend have a 7950GX2 and didnt work on P5B non deluxe , he had to change it for a P5WDH , but this was 1 month ago , now you have new BIOS , dunno.



regards

[R@imizA]

Hmmm i can give another try for p5b d.. i will send my to RMA. And than will see.. or i will try DS4 or DQ6

[mdzcpa]

From which vendors your GX2 is? You can read what hapenned with my asus. here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=115297&highlight=p5b+7950gx2If you have any solution for it it would be nice to hear it from you.

I read the thread but I don't see anything glaring.

Seeing the board isn't on Nvidia's "compatability" list, maybe the support is indeed marginal.

Odd though, it seems most folks have no trouble.

Sorry I couln't be more help.

[R@imizA]

Today i will Get P5B Del WiFi... I hope that this mobo will perform much better. And will not crush after bios Flashing. Now i use DS3 E6400@3.6Ghz Teamgroup DDRII 667 3-4-4-8 @ 900 4-4-4-8. And my asus 7950GX2 and everything is ok.

[R@imizA]

Just finished fast set up and now running 3D mark... everything seems ok... Possible it was just bad luck with board. Or P5B D non WiFi version is worst... And dont support 7950GX2. I havent try to OC system but on stock everything runs. I use 0614 Bioss...

[mdzcpa]

Glad to hear you have things sorted out with a new mobo. Come to think of it most of the working set ups are on the P5B Deluxe boards.

[ACE76]

I've read about a bunch of people having issues with their 7950GX2s and this board...but at the same time so many are having no issues...I think it might be a vendor specific issue with boards...not the motherboard.

[R@imizA]

Yesturday i was running system 3,6 Ghz and everything is OK! I use 0614 bioss. I made couple 3dmark runs, and played Quake 4 on Ultra High settings with res 1600*1200 with AAX4 all run smooth. At first moment i got some system unstabilty, but when I put more voltage everything was ok. Still it seems thad P5B Dwluxe/WiFI-AP is much better than P5B Deluxe without WiFi... Ok thanks all for support ;) I hope that my board will run good.