Four 290Xs killing my 3970X

[Kaapstad]

I have got my RIVE BE up and running using the 2400mhz cas 9 platinums and the 3970X. When I use 1, 2, or 3 290Xs there is no problem and the CPU will run @4.9mhz fine.

When I switch on the forth 290X the CPU is not even stable running default settings (CPU @4.0 and memory @1333mhz). I have got all the power cables plugged into the board (the 8 pin and 4 pin by the CPU and the molex for the GPUs at the bottom).

Is there anything else I can do or is the 3970X not up to running 4 X 290Xs.

I have a brand new 4930k I have not used yet, will I have more luck with IB-E

I am also using two 1200i PSUs with 2 GPUs on each one so there is no lack of power.

Thanks

Kaapstad

 

[Kaapstad]

Is there a power connector on the BE to feed more power to the pci-e lanes??
Is there another bios available?

There is a molex connector at the bottom of the board which I am using.

Running Gen3?

I have tried Gen 2 and Gen 3 but it is the same result.

 

[Kaapstad]

I think PSU problem even with two PSU. You on AXi or AX PSU??

No joke I saw this before and changed mains lead from 5a fused one to 13a fused one and my 4930K went from stock to 6.15ghz.

I am using two AXi 1200 PSUs. The GPU causing the problem is not on the PSU with the CPU, all that PSU has to do is power the two GPUs and a few minor things.

The 3970X I am using is the worst of my hex cores (always needed a lot of volts) so it may be an idea to try my new 4930k when I am off work in a couple of days.

Edit, almost forgot, I can get the CPU to run long enough (about 3 minutes) @4.5 to finish 3dmark and get a score, the four 290Xs had no problem running at 1180/1600 on air so the power is getting to the cards ok. The problem is the CPU when it gets warmed up after a couple of minutes and then it won't even run at stock with the four cards turned on.

 

[Kaapstad]

Can you up the voltage to the pci lanes?

What kind of crash are you getting, bsod or system lock up?

All sorts but the main problem is bsod, the problem with bsod is there are several different ones I get and I don't get a chance to write the errors down as the system restarts to quick.

The PSU cable change made a massive difference for me. Massive!!

1200 AXi are the worsed Corsair high end PSU by far sadly. Don't believe a word of reveiws etc just test em your self. In SF we changed AXi for AX for much more stable power. In 8Pack builds I used AX not AXi again after testing experience. Corsair have sadly removed AX from there product catalogue now.

+1

3 x 290Xs had no problem flooring a single 1200i, that's why I have only two GPUs on each one. The 1200i is rubbish but it can handle two 290Xs and a CPU. Will try swap PSU cables in the morning.

Have you ran any synthetic benchmarks at stock mate? Can't see how the CPU would be duff. It does seem that with adding the extra card it's a load issue but those two PSU's split shouldn't have a problem. I can send you my 1500W enermax Revo if you want for a few days. It's split rail (30A over four) but if one of your corsairs is a bit under the weather it might help to diagnose.

Above as Ian says I had trouble with my 1200Ai, it squeels and a few other people were having issues with 3 cards falling over where the AX1200 wouldn't of even batted an eyelid. I'm not sure who makes them now, but it's definitely not Seasonic.

If I leave the system alone idling at it's stock 4.0ghz on the CPU/mobo it will bsod with 4 cards turned on.

 

[Kaapstad]

With all the heat those gpu's produce is it possible that the mobo's vrm's are overheating?? Could test by directing some fans at them, front and rear.

No

The CPU can run @4.9 stable with three cards running but when I turn on the bottom card the CPU is not even stable @4.0 idling for an extended period.

I would defo try something to rule it out, without looking I'm sure Kaap's roof fans are extracting, so basically dragging all that hot air over them, can't be good!!

All four roof fans and all three fans at the front are intake, I am not using any internal case rads so heat is not a problem.

 

[Kaapstad]

Test each card separately and then try your RIVE to see if the board is an issue. You need to rule out each major component in the system as problematic.

Just started and the problem is pointing to slot 4, I have run trifire using slots 1,3,4 and got the problem. I have tried slots 1 and 4 in CF and got the problem.

On Sunday I will change the CPU to my 4930k to rule out the CPU.

If the above does not work I will also test the other cards in slot 4.

I did a quick test on the PSU leads by swapping them around but the problem has stayed on slot 4 so I don't think it is the PSU/leads.

I have tested these cards in another PC in CF and had no problems with them even running them @1250/1625.

 

[Kaapstad]

I am starting to think it is the CPU that is not up to it, I did get slot 4 running properly for some runs in 3dmark firestrike. The problem with the CPU is when it crashes I need to let it stand for a couple of minutes with the power off, if i just reboot like with a normal bsod the CPU will not even load windows even at stock however many cards I have turned on or off.

I think the next step has to be for me to swap out the 3970X for my 4930k.

 

[Kaapstad]

Just installed my 4930k and big improvement, it looks like IB-E is stronger when running 4 x 290Xs

 

[Kaapstad]

So are you happy with your 4930K?

Yes the 4930k is going fine.

I am starting to think though that CPUs and PCI-E lanes are similar to CPUs and RAM. The more workload you give them the more likely you are to run into trouble as no two CPUs are the same. The problem I have had will not come up that often as not many people want to run four cards, so who knows how common a fault it is.