MSI X58 Pro-E and SLI

[IceStorm]

I just installed an MSI X58 Pro-E, along with two GTX 275 cards in SLI and a 9600GT for PhysX.

I had two issues with the install:

1) The X58 Pro-E does not come with an SLI bridge. Granted, the packaging and description don't list one, but there's no information on where to get one, either.

2) The BIOS that shipped with my Pro-E was 7.3. SLI's not enabled until 8.x. The BIOS M-Flash utility refused to recognize the 8.0, 8.1, or 8.2 BIOS files from MSI's site. It could see a copy of 7.3, though, so the utility was reading my USB stick properly. The Live Update software also reported the most up to date BIOS was 7.3, not 8.2 as listed on MSI's site. As the BIOS is 4MB, it can't be put on a floppy image and burned to CD. I had to resort to formatting my USB stick using an HP utility and then booting off that to update the BIOS.

On the upside, the board does fit an Asus Xonar DX, two GTX 275 cards, and a 9600GT (that low profile one from Galaxy). You need to put a small piece of paper over the first row of fins on the IOH HSF to prevent the first x1 PCI Express card from contacting the IOH HSF, but it doesn't need to be bent out of the way unless there are larger items on the back side of the card. Also, the Galaxy 9600GT has large screws on the back that make contact with the second GTX 275 casing, but the flexing is moderate.

Anywho, anyone know how to burn a Pro-E BIOS without resorting to a formatted USB stick? Also, are there any places to get an MSI SLI bridge? For now I'm using the one that came with an Asus P5N-D.

 

[Jack the Newbie]

The X58 Pro-E does not come with an SLI bridge.

SLI and Crossfire Bridges are usually accessories that belong to the video card, not the board.  I have 7 different mainboards here.  Some of them support crossfire, some SLI.  None of them came with a Crossfire/SLI bridge. 

The BIOS that shipped with my Pro-E was 7.3. SLI's not enabled until 8.x.

That is not correct.  There are two different BIOS Release Series:

1) v7.x -> no SLI Support (only Crossfire)
2) v8.x -> SLI Support

If the board was not explicitely sold to you as the SLI Version, the default onboard BIOS will be a v7.x BIOS. 

The BIOS M-Flash utility refused to recognize the 8.0, 8.1, or 8.2 BIOS files from MSI's site.

That is normal and intended behaviour.  Now that you flashes a v8.x release, M-Flash will not accept v7.x versions.  It is a safety feature to prevent users from flashing the wrong BIOS.

The Live Update software also reported the most up to date BIOS was 7.3

That is correct. v7.3 is the latest BIOS Release of the v8.x series.  v8.x releases are not more up-to-date just because 8 is higher than 7.  There are two different release series.

I had to resort to formatting my USB stick using an HP utility and then booting off that to update the BIOS.

Well, using an USB Flash Drive is the best and safest way to update the BIOS on every board.

anyone know how to burn a Pro-E BIOS without resorting to a formatted USB stick?

Why would you want to do it any other way?  This tool makes USB preparation a lot easier, though:

>>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<

 

[IceStorm]

SLI and Crossfire Bridges are usually accessories that belong to the video card, not the board.

I have never received an SLI bridge with any of the nVidia cards I've bought - four 9600GT (two MSI, one Galaxy, one PNY) and two GTX 275 (both PNY). I receive Crossfire bridges regularly. It's been a double standard for years - ATI includes flexible bridges with their cards, nVidia makes boardmakers package them. Prior to X58, only workstation-class boards could run either SLI or Crossfire.

All I was pointing out is that there's inconsistency and that MSI has not included an SLI bridge with their SLI-capable board.

I have 7 different mainboards here.  Some of them support crossfire, some SLI.  None of them came with a Crossfire/SLI bridge.

You own an nVidia-based motherboard that has two PCI Express x16 slots, supports SLI, and didn't come with a bridge?

That is not correct.  There are two different BIOS Release Series:

Tell MSI. They list 7.x and 8.x on one page.

If the board was not explicitely sold to you as the SLI Version,

There is only one version of X58 Pro-E in the USA. Here, the X58 Pro is Crossfire-only. The X58 Pro-E supports both SLI and Crossfire.

That is normal and intended behaviour.  Now that you flashes a v8.x release, M-Flash will not accept v7.x versions.  It is a safety feature to prevent users from flashing the wrong BIOS.

I'm aware, but when they're selling a board in a country that is only advertised/released as supporting both, they should include a way to move from an older BIOS to one that's suitable for where the board is sold.

There are two different release series.

Not here there aren't.

Well, using an USB Flash Drive is the best and safest way to update the BIOS on every board.

Unless you have a board that won't boot off a USB drive, or you don't have a USB drive lying around to format.

 

[HU16E]

After reviewing the MSI USA description for the Pro-E board, it does state in the 'Slots' paragraph about ATI & Nvidia capable. However, this is more than likely a proof reading error & 'should not' have been listed on the info page. The Pro-E does 'not' have 'native' SLI support. If you look on page 2-22 of your manual, it specifies 'Crossfire' only. There is no need in this case for MSI to include an SLI bridge.

 

[IceStorm]

After reviewing the MSI USA description for the Pro-E board, it does state in the 'Slots' paragraph about ATI & Nvidia capable.

It also has an SLI Ready icon on the webpage.

However, this is more than likely a proof reading error & 'should not' have been listed on the info page. The Pro-E does 'not' have 'native' SLI support.

You'll need to define what "native" means. Anything with two x16 physical slots can support SLI. It's only nVidia's money grab/licensing that prevents it.

If you look on page 2-22 of your manual, it specifies 'Crossfire' only. There is no need in this case for MSI to include an SLI bridge.

That's fine. I had a feeling SLI Ready meant bring your own bridge cable, but it would be nice if they offered it separately.

As it stands, the $10 Asus bridge I ordered on eBay showed up. I have SLI again on both my new system and the older one which I borrowed the bridge from.

 

[HU16E]

I don't 'need' to define anything. Unless the USA release of the X58 Pro-E is different than the other releases in other parts of the world, the board does not come as delivered SLI (native) ready. If the board supports SLI with the 7.3 bios right out of the box without attempting a bios 'cross flash', then great, so be it. MSI & Nvidia can haggle over any legal matters over it.

All I know is, my USA release X58 Pro-E's manual says it supports Crossfire. Since I get very high frame rates with just a single GTX 285, I can't confirm or deny if it will support SLI or not.

To answer your questions, the USB stick method using the Forum USB Flash Tool Utility, is the 'safest' way to flash a bios. As to the second question, MSI had no obligation that I know of to provide an SLI bridge or a source to acquire one. On page ii of the X58 Pro-E's 'User Guide',  using the link to Tech. Support, maybe they do sell SLI bridges separately.

 

[Frankenputer]

The accessories included depend on the region in which they are sold.  Unfortunately, the USA site states nothing about what accessories are included in the box.   Below is a screenshot from the Global site, http://global.msi.eu/index.php?func=proddesc&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&prod_no=1804 --pay particular attention to the section I highlighted with a red rectangle.

 

[theguvnor12]

Well something i didn't get out of this topic. Is if my board was either SLI or dedicated physx ready.

I have the MSI X58 pro-e running on bios 8.D (newest as of september-2010).

Thx in advance

 

[HU16E]

thegunor12, this thread is almost a year & a half old & 'a lot' has changed since then. Any X58 Pro/Pro-E that has 8.xx bios & above is SLI ready.

 

[theguvnor12]

thegunor12, this thread is almost a year & a half old & 'a lot' has changed since then. Any X58 Pro/Pro-E that has 8.xx bios & above is SLI ready.

Is the dedicated Physx PPU option also there? As in a 480gtx as GPU and a 8000 series or newer for PPU?

MSI X58 pro e bios 8.D

 

[HU16E]

Is the dedicated Physx PPU option also there? As in a 480gtx as GPU and a 8000 series or newer for PPU?

Yes, as far as I know. I always thought that was all handled between the VGA model purchased, the driver package, & the OS.

 

[theguvnor12]

Yes, as far as I know. I always thought that was all handled between the VGA model purchased, the driver package, & the OS.

What happens to the directx version if would use a 480GTX as gpu and a 285GTX (or lower) as ppu?

 

[Jack the Newbie]

What do you mean?  The one card can do DirectX 10 and the other DirectX 11.  You cannot combine cards of different chip generations in SLI Mode.

 

[theguvnor12]

What do you mean?  The one card can do DirectX 10 and the other DirectX 11.  You cannot combine cards of different chip generations in SLI Mode.

Apparently i can combine cards if i use one of them as dedicated PPU.

But what happens with the Directx version? Is  physics calcutions not bound to directx version?

 

[Jack the Newbie]

Apparently i can combine cards if i use one of them as dedicated PPU.

But not in SLI Mode.  That is why these questions are basically "off topic" in this thread. 

But what happens with the Directx version?

I have no idea, but my assumption is, that you may be limited to DirectX 10.

 

[HU16E]

480gtx as GPU and a 8000 series

My error. I thought you were talking about a GTX 480 with an 8.xx series bios version.

 

[AngryDad]

I bought my  MSI X58 Pro-E MB about 3 months ago and had no problems setting up my 2 GTX 465s in SLI even before i updated the Bios. I don't know what Bios i had before i updated but i'm running V 8.E0. I love this MB and have had no problems at all.

 

[steven975]

I have 2 470s with no issues, as well.

The board originally came with a 7.x BIOS that did not have SLI support (but could be upgraded).  If the board was sold with SLI as a feature, it had a 8.x BIOS.