965 Boards confirmed to be either work or not working with 7950GX2 GPU

[HeadShotWI]

Hello folks. Been a long time lurker of the [H] forums and recently stumbled on a link to this website in one of their posts. Registered for an account a week ago and there was some delay with the mail server in getting my account setup but I am finally set up and am able to post what I originally wanted to post. I must say I've been lurking these forums for a week now and I really like what I see here! Compliments to all of you.

Ok so I have purchased, like many people right now, every part for a new pc accept for the processor and motherboard. I am planning on an E6600 and was hoping for an asus P5B Delux HOWEVER I have heard that the Asus P5B does not support the 7950gx2 video card I have already purchased. From what I understand the card won't function in SLI mode on this board.

I would like to start a thread to keep track of which new 965 boards are compatible with the 7950GX2 as I am sure there are many others out there that have this card and are planning to upgrade to C2D.

This is what I have gathered so far. Please add or correct any information here.

Asus P5B Delux(not functioning)
Asus P5B Vanilla(not functioning)
Gigabyte DS3(functioning)
Gigabyte DQ6(not functioning)
Abit AB9(Unknown)
Intel BadAxe(funtioning with beta bios)

[Vric]

The GX2 is one card, it will work on any 965 board.

most of the motherboard need a bios update to support it.

[HeadShotWI]

The GX2 is one card, it will work on any 965 board.

I know it is one card but the motherboard must be compatible too otherwise you end up not being able to configure it for SLI mode and it only uses one GPU on the card. From what I have heard the Asus P5B boards are both not functioning with the 7950gx2 with their current BIOS's. Asus does not have an ETA for a fix.

[mdzcpa]

Most boards should be able to handle the GX2 with a simple bios update. The BIOS update is needed to ensure that it is able to see the second GPU that is hidden behind the internal PCI-Express switch on the card. I'm surprised Asus is still having an issue with this. It should be an easy fix.

[HeadShotWI]

Most boards should be able to handle the GX2 with a simple bios update. The BIOS update is needed to ensure that it is able to see the second GPU that is hidden behind the internal PCI-Express switch on the card. I'm surprised Asus is still having an issue with this. It should be an easy fix.

Yeah but how long does it take for them to release a bios update to support it?

[jbizzler]

Do you think they'd only need one BIOS update for all future GX2s? I was thinking maybe I'd get an 8800GX2 (just speculating its existence) once they're out. My P5B Deluxe comes on Thursday. I'll see if the manual says anything about it.

[Artmic]

I know it is one card but the motherboard must be compatible too otherwise you end up not being able to configure it for SLI mode and it only uses one GPU on the card. From what I have heard the Asus P5B boards are both not functioning with the 7950gx2 with their current BIOS's. Asus does not have an ETA for a fix.

I called Asus today, dude said that the Asus P5WD DH Deluxe won't support the 7950, and there is no ETA on any bios fix lol how gay is that?

The badAxe 304 supports the 7950, that is the only reason i'm buying the Intel Motherboard.

[Dynasty]

Don't you need haxor drivers as you would use for 975x chipset boards,
since there is an sli bridge already on an single 7950GX2 ?

this is the sli bridge im referring to:

[Plaicd]

I Dont think those drivers work with the 7950GX2. At least Big Sam said they wont.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=106212

There might be different drivers that do no idea thou.

[Dynasty]

I just remembered 965 does not support dual gfx config. at all.
Thus, means not only can you not run regular sli (2 x 7900 gt/gtx) but even an 7950GX2 would run half of its full potential.

[Theta]

I just remembered 965 does not support dual gfx config. at all.
Thus, means not only can you not run regular sli (2 x 7900 gt/gtx) but even an 7950GX2 would run half of its full potential.

I'm not sure that is the case. The SLI bridge is internal, and I could swear I saw the DS3 was compatible with 7950GX2 FULLY...

Anybody have proof one way or another?

I have the DS3 and the P5WDH. I am going to be pissed if both are duds with the 7950GX2.

[phillyb]

there is nothing special needed for 7950 cards. one 16x slot on a motherboard. im runnin 7950 on P5WDH with no issues, from day ONE. yeah i have two slots, but its x-fire anyway.

the motherboard wont have a clue you have two cards. they communicate with each other, and act as one to the mobo.

as long as you have 90 series drivers you should be fine. not guaranteed, but i think manufacturers are being slow in testing this.

nvidia has a listing on their site, which i think is total blah.

Q: Will the NVIDIA® GeForce® 7950 GX2 work with any motherboard?
A: With a properly configured SBIOS, the NVIDIA® GeForce® 7950 GX2 will work with any PCI Express-compliant motherboard. Please see for a list of compatible motherboards and SBIOS that have been tested by http://www.nvidia.com/content/geforce_gx2_sbios/us.asp

my board is not on the list. yet it works.

[lawrywild]

SBIOS?

[DsK]

I just remembered 965 does not support dual gfx config. at all.
Thus, means not only can you not run regular sli (2 x 7900 gt/gtx) but even an 7950GX2 would run half of its full potential.

Are you sure, ive seen threads where someone got quad SLi working on a 965 mobo:

I got the Quad SLI to work on a Conroe setup

From what QuadDamage says, it works with 965, but just not all motherboards....

[HeadShotWI]

there is nothing special needed for 7950 cards. one 16x slot on a motherboard. im runnin 7950 on P5WDH with no issues, from day ONE. yeah i have two slots, but its x-fire anyway.

the motherboard wont have a clue you have two cards. they communicate with each other, and act as one to the mobo.

as long as you have 90 series drivers you should be fine. not guaranteed, but i think manufacturers are being slow in testing this.

nvidia has a listing on their site, which i think is total blah.

Q: Will the NVIDIA® GeForce® 7950 GX2 work with any motherboard?
A: With a properly configured SBIOS, the NVIDIA® GeForce® 7950 GX2 will work with any PCI Express-compliant motherboard. Please see for a list of compatible motherboards and SBIOS that have been tested by http://www.nvidia.com/content/geforce_gx2_sbios/us.asp

my board is not on the list. yet it works.

Well I have heard from multiple sources and review sites that the asus P5B vanilla and delux do not allow the 7950gx2 to function in sli mode.

Well if anyone has any information on getting the 7950GX2 to function properly on an Asus P5b board let me know or if anyone has confirmation that it works on the Giga DQ6 board let me know.

[misteroadster]

Tested ok on the gigabyte P965-DS3 :

[HeadShotWI]

Does anyone have any new information to add? Bumping.

[jbizzler]

I ahve a P5B Deluxe. Maybe you coudl just sedn me your 7950GX2... to... um... test it! Yeah, I'd test it for you! You might not get it back though.

On the page in my P5B Deluxe that talks about the secondary PEG, it shows a pic of a Crossfire mastercard and a normal one, but doesn't show the dongle nor does it mention Crossfire anywhere on the page. Well, 945Ps worked at x16 by x4, why can't P965?

[Phosphoros]

According to nVidia the Intel975xbx has support for it with Bios 1073.

http://www.nvidia.com/content/geforce_gx2_sbios/us.asp

Course, they could be high.

[webwilli]

my friend have p5w dh and asus 7950 and it worked without any issue. and i know more ppl here in germany with this setup.

i will buy a evga 7950 next week or so.

[Athildja-Px64]

The MSI 7950GX2 I have works fine on the D975XBX with the BETA Conroe BIOS.
Runs in Dual Card mode.
I have a P5W DH in and will test it out there soon.
As well as a GA-965P-DS3 Board from Gigabyte. I belive it has been tested on that one already though.
it should work on just about any board.

[Vric]

last 3 posts: You are talking about 975X chipset, not 965P as requested by the post starter.

[Athildja-Px64]

He asked about the Intel 975XBX in the first post.

This is what I have gathered so far. Please add or correct any information here.

Asus P5B Delux(not functioning)
Asus P5B Vanilla(not functioning)
Gigabyte DS3(functioning)
Gigabyte DQ6(not functioning)
Abit AB9(Unknown)
Intel BadAxe(Unknown)

I was just trying to add to that information.

Ath.

[Phosphoros]

975XBX = Badaxe

[Athildja-Px64]

yes he has the 975XBX listed as Unknown, I was adding that it works with the Intel supplied BETA Conroe BIOS for the board.
The Gigabyte should be here shortly I will test the MSI 7905GX2 I have on that and add more.