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Message boards : Graphics cards (GPUs) : Motherboard Capabilities?

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Jack Lightholder
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Message 26211 - Posted: 7 Jul 2012 | 20:53:29 UTC

Hi folk,
I have recently gotten more involved with BOINC by expanding my horizons into the GPU side of things. I have had a GTX 260 in my computer for quite some time and would like to expanding my crunching capabilities. Below I have the PCI-E info from my motherboard that I found under the product details. I am not sure how to interpret the information in parenthesis relative to each slot. Can anyone explain what that information is. Is it bandwidth of some sort? Can I install a second graphics card into that slot without trouble and still have it run optimally? I also presume I have to stay away from any 3.0 cards due to the lack of 3.0 support on my 2.0 PCI-E MOBO? Can anyone offer any recommendations of improving my GPU capabilities?

"Expansion Slots

PCI Express 2.0 x16
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (single at x16)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (@x4 mode, 2.5GT/s)"

from newegg.com

Thanks!

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Message 26213 - Posted: 7 Jul 2012 | 21:43:01 UTC - in response to Message 26211.
Last modified: 7 Jul 2012 | 21:43:55 UTC

PCIE3 cards are backward compatible; they can run on PCIE2 boards, but probably with some performance loss (depending on the use/application).

That looks like only one card can run at X16 rates (16 lanes). If you add another card it will run at X4 rates (4 lanes). It probably also means the first card would run at a reduced rate, but it's not exactly clear what that would be (X8 or X4).
Anyway, it's not a good board going by that info.
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Message 26217 - Posted: 8 Jul 2012 | 1:43:11 UTC - in response to Message 26211.

It would be nice to know the exact model number of your motherboard to help you any further.

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Message boards : Graphics cards (GPUs) : Motherboard Capabilities?

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