Best X58 Motherboard for 2-Way SLI

[kennyu]

Hello,
Long time reader, first time poster lol.

I am in a bit of a pickle. I recently built an i7 system with the following:

CPU:Core i7 920 @ Stock with a Vigor Monsoon III LT
MB:Asus P6T
RAM: 6GB Triple Channel OCZ Platinum 1600MHz
GPU: Dual GTX 275s in SLI
HD: Dual VelociRaptors RAID 0
PSU: Corsair HX1000
Case: Thermaltake Armor

Since the build, I have found a few issues. The 275s are getting very hot. The top card often reaches 93C with a full load and 100% fan. Another problem is that the P6T does not have a heat pipe between the Southbridge and the IOH. Since the 275s are sandwiched together right over the Southbridge, it gets no airflow and often overheats. The first sign of it overheating is my PCI X-Fi card will start to cut out. My room temperatures are usually around 25C.

To solve this problem, I had to move my second GPU down to the third PCI-E slot. This slot, however, only runs at 4x. So, I then decided that I need to get a new motherboard, case, or both.

I've ordered a new case, hoping for better air flow. I ordered the HAF 932. It should come tomorrow. When it comes, I see what the GPU temps are with the HAF. I don't think it's going to fix my Southbridge problem, but hopefully the GTXs won't get so hot.

If I find that the GTXs are no longer getting that hot with the new case, my options for a new motherboard will greatly increase. But right now, I'm looking at the following motherboards because they will allow 2-Way X16 SLI without the GPUs being right on top of each other. I have excluded the Asus P6T Revolution and the EVGA Classified. I have a sour taste in my mouth because of this P6T. Up until this point, 95% of my MBs have been Asus. And the EVGA Classified with 3-Way X16 SLI is $450.

The motherboards I'm considering are:

EVGA X58 SLI
DFI LP UT X58-T3eH8
Foxconn BloodRage
Asus P6T Deluxe V2

If I find that my new case fixes the problem of the GPUs, I think my first choice of MB would be the Gigabyte X58 Extreme as it seems to be a huge hit here.

If anyone has any success/horror stories about the above mentioned boards, or you know of a better board given my situation, please share. I would also like to hear if anyone is getting similar temperatures with the 275s in a 2-Way Heat Sandwich configuration.

[Robilar]

I went from the P6T to the P6T Deluxe V2 for the same reason. dual SLI layout is much better (you can even put a pci sound card in between your gpu's without any interference).

Since the 0406 bios release, the 21x multi is now supported by the board as well.

[kennyu]

I have both the DFI T3eH8 and the Bloodrage (currently am using) and love them both. Wither one would be your answer. (though im more partial to the DFI)

May I ask why you prefer the DFI? How do they compare as far as overclocking, temps, etc.?

I went from the P6T to the P6T Deluxe V2 for the same reason. dual SLI layout is much better (you can even put a pci sound card in between your gpu's without any interference).

Since the 0406 bios release, the 21x multi is now supported by the board as well.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person with this problem. Thank you for the feedback. I am such an Asus fan, I never doubted them until now. I am starting to think that it's time to give another MFG a try. The motherboard market has definitely changed in the past few years. MFGs that used to be total crap are now towards the top of the list as far as quality.

[fatguy1992]

I would have just gotten better cooling for the cards and the SB.

[kennyu]

The only "Better Cooling" for the cards that I have found is an after market air cooler from Arctic Cooling.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/coo...me-gtx280.html

I have two issues with this cooler. 1. I don't know that it's SLI compatible, so if I have to split my cards up, I'm right back here. 2. That cooler is just going to remove the heat from my cards and put it inside my case. It does not vent out the back like the stock cooler.

As far as the southbridge goes, none of the heatsinks with fans that I found would fit underneath of my GTX 275s without splitting them up.

[Blacklash]

I've had a regular EVGA X58 since release. I am not running SLi but mixed GTX 260 Tri-SLi. That's two Core 216 cards and one old 192SP card.

I love the mobo and haven't had issues with it.

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dmv=598308