Stupid Question - SLI & Single Graphics Card

[NugentS]

If I buy an SLI board but only use a single graphics card - can I use either slot or should I use the first (closest to the CPU)

Sean

 

[MikeEnIke]

You should use the slot closest to the CPU

 

[NugentS]

Should - or have to...

Sean

 

[MikeEnIke]

I'm about 99% sure that you have to use the first slot.

EDIT: I assume you don't want to because it hits something or other? Unfortunately, You'll have to find a way to manage

Well that or I'm making an ass of myself... it's early give me a break

 

[Mr. Smith]

Why don't you just try it? (assuming you have the mobo and gfx card)

SLi mobo both are x16 lanes.

Let us know the outcome - you'd have to 3dmark the card in both slots to see if there was any difference.

Edit: Just re-read your post, saw the IF i buy... I think it will work. I have my gts in the x8 slot for the time (furthest away from cpu) runs fine enough for a temp solution (no space).

Edit 2: Why is this in the AMD section when it is an Intel Q? (don't mean to be anal)

 

[MikeEnIke]

Yup, I'd go with Mr. Smith's solution, it's not going to hurt anything to try it.

 

[Rastalovich]

Seen a few where the handbook says to use a particular one. Think older mobos, 939 etc can say the furthest from cpu, and u got a slot card (like credit card thing) to put in a certain way depending on what u do.

Read u`r manual to be 100% imo, it will say somewhere.

 

[gurusan]

It shouldn't matter, even on chipsets with dual 8x lanes if you only have 1 card the active slot will run in 16x mode.

 

[JN]

I've actually used a single GPU in the lower slot on both a P965 and 680i board. Seemed to work as well in either slot (apart from a little slower on the 965).

I've also put a x1 PCIE WiFi card in a PCIE x16 slot...but thats another story