Hello everyone I am new here and this is my first post. Was referred to this site by a friend and so far i am learning alot but i need some help.

Im in the process of building a hardcore gaming computer and I have a question that only the experts can answer. I want to 3-Way SLI 280GTX EVGA (NVidia) Graphics Cards but not sure if my Motherboard can support it due to Newegg stating that it only has 2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 and 2 PCI Express x1. As of now I have 2-280GTX cards on order. I need to find out if 3-Way SLI is possible on this motherbord using 280GTX cards. Here are the specs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813188025

Model
Brand EVGA
Model 132-CK-NF79-A1
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type LGA 775
CPU Type Quad-core / Core 2 Extreme / Core 2 Duo / Pentium
FSB 1600/1333MHz
Chipsets
North Bridge NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra SLI
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR3 2000(OC)/1800(OC)/1333
Support for up to 2000 MHz SLI-Ready Memory with EPP
Maximum Memory Supported 8GB
Dual Channel Supported Yes
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16 2
PCI Express x16 1
PCI Express x1 2
PCI Slots 2
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA100 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s 6
SATA RAID 0/1/0+1/5/JBOD
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset None
Onboard Audio
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
Max LAN Speed Dual 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 2
USB 6 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394 1 x IEEE 1394a
eSATA 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s
S/PDIF Out 1x Optical, 1x Coaxial
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 4 x USB 2.0
Onboard 1394
Onboard 1394 1x 1394a
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin 24 Pin
Packaging
Package Contents 132-CK-NF79-A1
Driver Disk
User Manual
Rear I/O Panel Shield
IDE/PATA Cable
FDD Cable
SATA Cable
Power Cable
USB Bracket
IEEE 1394 Bracket
COM Bracket
2-way SLI Bridge
3-way SLI Bridge
Optional Fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813188025

Model
Brand EVGA
Model 01G-P3-1280-AR
Interface
Interface PCI Express 2.0 x16
Chipset
Chipset Manufacturer NVIDIA
GPU GeForce GTX 280
Core clock 602MHz
Stream Processors 240 processing cores
Memory
Memory Clock 2214MHz
Memory Size 1GB
Memory Interface 512-bit
Memory Type GDDR3
3D API
DirectX DirectX 10
OpenGL OpenGL 2.1
Ports
DVI 2
TV-Out HDTV / S-Video Out
General
RAMDAC 400 MHz
Max Resolution 2560 x 1600
SLI Supported Yes
Cooler With Fan
Power Connector 6 pin / 8 pin
Dual-Link DVI Supported Yes
HDCP Ready Yes
Packaging
Package Contents 01G-P3-1280-AR
Driver Disk
User's Manual
HDTV Cable
Power Cable
DVI to VGA/D-sub Adapter
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts Lifetime limited
Labor Lifetime limited

Don't worry at all, that motherboard was MADE to support 3 Video Cards. Do you see the pic of the mobo ? The 3 green slots are PCIE slots, all 16X I believe. Newegg somtimes gets exact specifications wrong on their descriptions. Anyways, just make sure you have an adequite Power Supply to run that rig, youre gonna need it.

3 way sli = waste of money

just get 2 due to the fact 3 way for the price wont see you more then 10% in FPS



second thing. what screen are you using.

That right 3 way waste of money 2 way waste of money? plus make sure you have a good power supply

crossfire x with 4870x2 is a beast

280gtx waste of money

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824009094

Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support 300 cd/m2 700:1

Thanks for the help. I've been reading up on these cards and they might have a overheating problem and maybe not. I'm thinking of water-cooling my Antec 900 case.

Here is everything I have so far. Might upgrade the processor later on or overclock the one I have on the way.

1 EVGA 132-CK-NF79-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 790i Ultra SLI DDR3 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

1 Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail

1 ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail

1 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

1 SUPER TALENT Project X 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1800 (PC3 14400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model W1800UX4GP - Retail

2 EVGA 01G-P3-1280-AR GeForce GTX 280 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

2 SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

1 Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM

1 LG Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GGC-H20L - Retail

1 LG 20X DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH20NS10 - OEM

1 Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support - Retail

1 Antec 761345-75120-9 120mm Case Fan - Retail

Antec 900 Case with 950 PS. Price near $2800 for everything.

3-way SLI w/ GTX 280 on that monitor IS A WASTE OF MONEY.

Unbelievable.

LMFAO a 4870 would MAX out that monitor


hell a 8800gt priced at 130$ would own that monitor and make it call him daddy

3-way SLI w/ GTX 280 on that monitor IS A WASTE OF MONEY. i do agree

please do inform yourself before you waste 1000$ on 2 extra 280 when ONE would do you fine.

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 64-19.html

Go with a 4870 and a MB that would crossfire if and when you need it but by that time a new and better card will be there

Don't order a third GTX280, instead get a MUCH nicer monitor. Sheesh... My 8800GT already puts up great framerates on a monitor with that resolution.

While it is amusing to watch the copycats repeat each other


If you already own that Acer monitor, than go with gtx260 SLI or a single gtx280.

You need to go up to a 24" display to really benefit from the raw power of 280gtx SLI

As far as 3 way SLI goes, it is just held back way too much by CPU right now to be bothered with it - I wouldn't recommend it unless you are getting a multiplier unlocked intel quad core and plan to do some serious liquid cooling to get it into the high 4 ghz ranges. Otherwise, you just won't have enough cpu power.

The other situation where you could benefit from 3way SLI gtx280 is if you had a 30" display and you wanted to max out all possible IQ options; even then, your third card doesn't get utilized to near its potential unless you have a crazy CPU overclock.

2 4870 is good enough but need atleast 1000W PSU. 3 Way GTX280 needs 2000W PSU, can you find 2000W?