Options? 8800GTX SLI & need 2 PCI slots

Hello!

I recently purchased the 8800GTX EK waterblocks and 1 additional 8800GTX to go to SLI mode. I also have the EVGA 680i Motherboard. This MB along with the Asus ones only have 2 PCI slots. The 2nd Graphics PCI-Express slot for the SLI mode is located 2nd from the left....1st from the left is another PCI slot. What options do I have available to be able to utilize all 2 PCI slots?

I need support for both my Soundblaster X-Fi card and the Killer NIC card.

I was thinking of 2 options...

1. Use a dremel to cut a bit of the slot holder where the exhaust port is located...just big enough for the Killer NIC's ethernet port. See crude example in option1.jpg. Would it be possible to insert 2 slot holders in 1 slot?...that's the question.

2. Somehow purchase a single slot holder like the BFG WC 8800GTX and replace my current 2 slot holder from EVGA.


Please provide your advice. Thanks in advance.

mmm the only thing that i can think of is to use a riser card. you should be able to find one from here if my memory serves me right http://rackmountmart.stores.yahoo.net/index.html

The DFI 680i was supposed to provide an extra PCI slot. Apparently, it hasn't been released. You can take a simple case PCI slot cover and make the appropriate cutouts for the DVI connectors. Or you can cannibalize some older video card. Wish they made this easier.

If you are sure that option 1 has enough room, then I would suggest going doing that. Make sure when you dremel that you clean up thoroughly as to not get metal crossing a lead on your card.

I would go with option 1 as well

I would like to know how it turns out, I plan to do something akin to that when I get my ASUS Striker

Just buy two of these then you can put your card back to normal when you wish to sell on, thats what I have done as I need 3 PCI slots, fortunately for me Nvidia retained the same bracket since the 6800s I had so little investment has run through a few carsd.

http://www.koolance.com/shop/product...roducts_id=207

Not sure the Ek block leave enough clearance for some pci cards due to the large screws, I dropped a few mails to Eddy about them for my 7800s and he thought they might touch the cards be interested to know if they do or not as dimensions of 8800 block seem similar.

ditch the killer NIC :P

Thanks for everyone's advice/recommendations. I checked last night whether 2 pci slot holders can fit together...Nope...so Option #1 is dead. Sandy provided the solution to Option #2 ( http://www.koolance.com/shop/product...roducts_id=207 )...so I will go with that. By the way, doing a rough measurement of the EK block and its screws would allow me to use that PCI slot. The screws are not that large...they are similar to what's already on the stock.

Thanks again!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by [TAG]Imp

ditch the killer NIC :P

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The Killer NIC takes 15-22 ms off my ping on west coast Battlefield 2142 servers. I love it!

lmao, you actually paid 200 for a killernic. *starts to flame*,

you could get a riser.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandys

Just buy two of these then you can put your card back to normal when you wish to sell on, thats what I have done as I need 3 PCI slots, fortunately for me Nvidia retained the same bracket since the 6800s I had so little investment has run through a few carsd.

http://www.koolance.com/shop/product...roducts_id=207

Not sure the Ek block leave enough clearance for some pci cards due to the large screws, I dropped a few mails to Eddy about them for my 7800s and he thought they might touch the cards be interested to know if they do or not as dimensions of 8800 block seem similar.

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Thanks a million times over for the link to those brackets. They are such a major convenience! I wish other companies were this thoughtful.