I have a single GTX480 right now, and I would like to go SLI - partly for performance, and partly so I could do the multi monitor stuff.
So first off, I know I need a new motherboard - my P55-UD3R does not do SLI.
My existing GTX480 is a little louder than I like, but it's not what most would consider loud due to excellent air flow from the Cosmos S case.
I see two possible options:
Option 1: Water
* Add a 360mm radiator to the top of the Cosmos S and put in a water loop to cool just the video cards (CPU has a Noctua D14).
* I want to run fans at around 1000RPM (for low noise) and I am not sure if this will be enough - even with a good radiator.
* Are the water pumps relatively quiet? I really don't want to hear some pump humming away all the time.
Option 2: Advanced Air Cooling
* I used to have an Arctic Cooling HSF on my 4870X2 - it was great in every way except that it took 3 slots (not an issue with a single card). This same cooler is available for the GTX480 - it runs cool and quiet but still takes 3 slots.
* I am not sure how possible it is to run a pair of 3 slot cards in SLI. It does look like a lot of motherboards have 3 slots between the main X16 slots, but if I go this way, I lose all other slots except maybe a 1X slot above the first 16X.
* I also want to add in a PCIE 4X SSD card at some point - it should not be a problem if I go the water route, but if I stay with the big Arctic Cooling units, I don't think I can run an SSD card which looks like the best SSD performance these days.
So my ideal motherboard would look something like this:
[X16] [slot] [slot] [X16] [slot] [slot] [X4]
[GTX480 ARCTIC] [GTX480 ARCTIC] [SSD card]
Does anyone know of such a beast? I am willing to go to the 1366 socket if I have to.
So first off, I know I need a new motherboard - my P55-UD3R does not do SLI.
My existing GTX480 is a little louder than I like, but it's not what most would consider loud due to excellent air flow from the Cosmos S case.
I see two possible options:
Option 1: Water
* Add a 360mm radiator to the top of the Cosmos S and put in a water loop to cool just the video cards (CPU has a Noctua D14).
* I want to run fans at around 1000RPM (for low noise) and I am not sure if this will be enough - even with a good radiator.
* Are the water pumps relatively quiet? I really don't want to hear some pump humming away all the time.
Option 2: Advanced Air Cooling
* I used to have an Arctic Cooling HSF on my 4870X2 - it was great in every way except that it took 3 slots (not an issue with a single card). This same cooler is available for the GTX480 - it runs cool and quiet but still takes 3 slots.
* I am not sure how possible it is to run a pair of 3 slot cards in SLI. It does look like a lot of motherboards have 3 slots between the main X16 slots, but if I go this way, I lose all other slots except maybe a 1X slot above the first 16X.
* I also want to add in a PCIE 4X SSD card at some point - it should not be a problem if I go the water route, but if I stay with the big Arctic Cooling units, I don't think I can run an SSD card which looks like the best SSD performance these days.
So my ideal motherboard would look something like this:
[X16] [slot] [slot] [X16] [slot] [slot] [X4]
[GTX480 ARCTIC] [GTX480 ARCTIC] [SSD card]
Does anyone know of such a beast? I am willing to go to the 1366 socket if I have to.
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