Intel Sandy Bridge E and LGA2011 Discussion

[topgear]

Poor placement of PCI-e slots.

the placement is Kinda OK IMO - looks like the blue pci-e x16 will be used for gfx cards - so there's enough spacing between 2x gfx slots - it's suitable for those who will only use 2x gfx cards in SLI/CF without any other internal pci-e cards and so far this one look like the most cheapest and VFM X79 mobo

 

[Extreme Gamer]

@gameranand: It doesnt matter. As long as the slot is bigger than the card's connector it is compatible.

This only applies to PCIE.

 

[gameranand]

Means a x16 slot can also serve as x1, x4 or standard pcl slot ??

 

[Skud]

the placement is Kinda OK IMO - looks like the blue pci-e x16 will be used for gfx cards - so there's enough spacing between 2x gfx slots - it's suitable for those who will only use 2x gfx cards in SLI/CF without any other internal pci-e cards and so far this one look like the most cheapest and VFM X79 mobo

Blue slots may be OK for SLI, but no crossfire bridge is that long, unless the mobo manufacturer provides one, which is rare anyway. And what about 3-card config?

Means a x16 slot can also serve as x1, x4 or standard pcl slot ??

It will serve as x4, x1, x8 PCIe but not standard PCI slot. Those two are different.

 

[gameranand]

Ok thanks for the info didn't knew about then. Then this much slots can be used for other purposes too.

 

[Extreme Gamer]

Yes anand, they can

Like Skud said, PCI wont work in PCI-E or vice versa, because the underlying tech is very different, the slots are not of same size and their distance from expansion slot bay is different from PCI-E.

But dont think that an x1 slot can run x4 or x4 can run x8 etc. If the size of the slot is bigger than the connector, it is compatible.

 

[Skud]

Forget to mention it depends on the electrical connectors of the slot, not the length.

 

[Extreme Gamer]

lol if there is a slot if x16 length even if it only runs at x1 speed, it will support an x16 card.

Case in point: MSI big bang marshall.

 

[Skud]

But that card will operate at X1 speed, ain't it?

 

[Extreme Gamer]

That is correct. The number of connections remain the same but the bandwidth available is less due to less number of lanes.

A bit like two sticks of RAM in single channel mode.

 

[topgear]

Blue slots may be OK for SLI, but no crossfire bridge is that long, unless the mobo manufacturer provides one, which is rare anyway. And what about 3-card config?

that mobo is not made for 3 gfx card config for sure as I said before from the looks it seems like a cheap X79 mobo from Asus.

BTW. Here's something really BiG

Asus SaberTooth X79

*www.overclockersclub.com/vimages/news/news29934_8188-asus_x79_motherboard_details_revealed.jpg

ASUS X79 Motherboard Details Revealed - Industry News - Overclockers Club
Asus Sabertooth X79 Motherboard Preview - eTeknix
ASUS Sabertooth X79 (Intel X79) Motherboard Preview :: TweakTown USA Edition

looks great

 

[gameranand]

Wow 8 RAM slots, 3 pcle slots, and the best part are those fans on mobo itself. Looks killing sexy.

 

[topgear]

^^ even I liked the heat sink fans on, the muscular, strong and well built looks and the coloring of the mobo ( read Sabertooth series ) is just great as always

 

[Skud]

Quite a bit costlier than initially predicted:-

Sandy Bridge-E Prices Leaked In Company Bulletin | PC Perspective

 

[gameranand]

Too costly even for high end gaming rig. If 40k is invested on just mobo and cpu what about other components. Price needs to be lower.

Thanks for the share skud

 

[Skud]

You are welcome. Also include the cost of 4 memory modules instead of the normal 2. In this time, that seems like the only way to help RAM makers make some money.

 

[Extreme Gamer]

You are welcome. Also include the cost of 4 memory modules instead of the normal 2. In this time, that seems like the only way to help RAM makers make some money.

Not necessary, X79 will run with 2,3 and 4 modules in dual, triple and quad channel modes respectively.

 

[Skud]

I know, but by doing so, you are losing on one of SB-E platform's unique features. It will probably also run on single module, but that's not the point.

 

[Extreme Gamer]

I know, but by doing so, you are losing on one of SB-E platform's unique features. It will probably also run on single module, but that's not the point.

No. You can always add another kit in future if you cant shell out ~5k on 16GB RAM now.

Since it has DIMM slots adjacent on both sides of the socket, it indicates that the available bandwidth can actually be used, and that there will be noticable gains even in dual-channel mode. Remember that vs X58, the bandwidth of the memory controller remains unchanged (6.4GT/s for 3930K/60X and 4.8GT/s for 3820).

PS. It will definitely run on a singe module

 

[d6bmg]

that mobo is not made for 3 gfx card config for sure as I said before from the looks it seems like a cheap X79 mobo from Asus.

BTW. Here's something really BiG

Asus SaberTooth X79

Spoiler

*www.overclockersclub.com/vimages/news/news29934_8188-asus_x79_motherboard_details_revealed.jpg

ASUS X79 Motherboard Details Revealed - Industry News - Overclockers Club
Asus Sabertooth X79 Motherboard Preview - eTeknix
ASUS Sabertooth X79 (Intel X79) Motherboard Preview :: TweakTown USA Edition

looks great

Looks like a good & solid motherboard to me.