On the p8p67 Pro (no NF200 chip), the manual talks about using the second PCIe x16_2 (5th ATX slot) for a video card. Specifically, it states that if you put a x16 card in that slot, both that slot and the first x16 slot (2nd ATX slot) will run at x8 for a x8/x8 SLI (or CF) configuration.
However, is it possible to use PCIex16_2 (5th slot) as PCIe x1 (single channel only) without crippling the first x16 slot?
I have two PCIe x1 cards, and I just found out that once I install a Silver Arrow cooler, that the first slot (PCIex1_1) might be blocked. The PCIe x1_2 (3rd slot) is blocked by my GTX580. That only leaves the 5th and 7th slots available for PCIe.
My slots are currently occupied as:
Slot1: Asus Essence STX (PCIe x1) (for music and games)
Slot2: GTX 580 (PCIe x16)
Slot3: blocked by GTX580
Slot4: open legacy PCI
Slot5: open PCIe x16 (or x8)
Slot6: EMU 1212m daughter board
Slot7: EMU 1212m PCIe sound (for extremely high bandwidth audio work)
....
Edit: Decided to just open it up and see for myself. I've confirmed that putting a x1 PCIe device (the xonar essence STX) into the 5th slot _will_ cause the board to go into x8/x8 mode.
It appears this leaves me only two good choices: Send the silver arrow back and try to find something less bulky that still performs well, or replace the motherboard with something that offers more PCIe options.
(Replacing the sound card with a PCI version isn't an option: I don't like moving backwards. Using onboard sound might be an option, but not one I'm happy with... I've become very spoiled with the xonar essense STX card.)
Take care
Gary
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks