PCIe lanes with SLI and a soundcard.

[Cythx]

Using the GA-Z77X-D3H, could I still use x8/x8 with GTX 680 SLI if I use a sound card as well, or will I be reduced to x8/x4/x4?

Also, are there any limitations like not being able to use front panel USB if I have a certain amount of PCIe lanes used up. I think I remember that being a limitation of some previous boards.

This is the motherboard: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-390-GI

 

[Rusty0611]

Won't your sound card go in the PCIE x1 lane anyway?

 

[Surveyor]

It doesn't matter if you put it in a x1 slot or the third x16 slot, the 2 graphics cards will still work at x8/x8.

If you do put it in the third x16 slot (x4 speed) then none of the x1 slots can be used.

 

[Cythx]

So I can put the SC in the x1 slot and still get x8/x8 on SLI with that motherboard?

 

[Surveyor]

So I can put the SC in the x1 slot and still get x8/x8 on SLI with that motherboard?

Yes.

The specs. don't say that the x1 slots share any bandwidth with the slots you'll be using for the graphics cards.

1) 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16) (The PCIEX16 slot conforms to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
* The PCI Express x16 slot supports up to PCI Express 2.0 standard when an Intel 32nm (Sandy Bridge) CPU is installed.

2) 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8)
* The PCIEX8 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 slot. When the PCIEX8 slot is populated, the PCIEX16 slot will operate at up to x8 mode.

3) 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
* The PCIEX4 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX1_1/2/3 slots. The PCIEX1_1/2/3 slots slots will become unavailable when a PCIe x4 expansion card is installed.

4) 3 x PCI Express x1 slots (PCIEX4 and PCIEX1 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)

5) 1 x PCI slots