Bare with me as I try to plan out my future plans and all experienced opinions are welcomed.


 MB EVGA X99 Classified
Ok so I'm looking to purchase the next gen EVGA Hydro Copper when it's released and looking to see if I should keep my 2 existing GTX 780 Classifieds HCs and shuffle them to different PCIe slots as they are currently sitting in the PCIe#1 and PCIe#4 slots for x16/x16 or get rid of one and replace the existing top 780 with the newer gen.  If I choose to keep the two 780s along with the new GPU, that will be 3 GPUs total and I'll go from my current x16/x16 to x8/x8/x8.  I should note I also have a M.2 PCIe x4 (Samsung OS drive) that disables PCIe#5 and also looking to grab a PCIe Sound Card to power my Senneheiser PC 373D headset.  
 

 
The other problem I've having is if I'm able to connect all the GPUs via SLI compression fittings or DIY to get them connected via tubing which will look silly from what it looks now I believe.  I don't know if the tops of the 780 will align with the newer Waterblocks since the GTX 780 Hydro Copper blocks were designed and manufactured by Swiftech and since EVGA has gone through some changes from EK to their own in house design and manufacturing, I wonder if I can align them since I can't find any specs anywhere for the top part where you use your fittings. 
 
Nonetheless, from the looks of the images below, they look like they won't be aligning which is a bummer since it would have made things easier to just add them all in a custom loop.   I hope EVGA is paying attention and stops changing key parts on designs.
 
GTX 780 Classified Hydro Copper

 

 

As for the Sound Card I've been looking at, it's the Sound BlasterX AE-5 PCIe and can't tell exactly if it's PCIe x1 or x4 since their own product page or anywhere else doesn't specify this important info, smh OR forgo with that option and just go with a external Sound BlasterX G5 which is a external setup that doesn't occupy any of the PCIe lanes but the focus on all of this is, I want the absolute best sound possible with their latest and greatest since I have premium cans and in my current situation, I'm having issues wit the cans since I believe the cord to the headset is too long and the on-board sound quality took a nose dive on the X99 Classified's Core3D. 
 
Long story short, I had the PC 363D that went bust over a week ago but prior they worked no problem with the X99 Core3D and just got the replaced cans in which are the PC 373D since they don't make the priors no more and the cord I had to pay a fortune for to make these work with the on-board sound is pretty long (3m).  No Bass, barely any mids and weak highs.  I figured the cord is too long since the Core3D can't power the cans and now I feel like I'm forced to grab a premium sound card to remedy this issue and bring life back to these amazing cans.
 
Anyways, I can't tell which PCIe this is so check out the images below and let me know what you think they are and what you folks think I should do.
 
Sound Blaster X AE-5

 
Sound BlasterX G5

 
Ok so as you can see (GASP!), I opened a can of worms and need to figure out what I should do hence why I'm planning ahead as this could take some time to figure out as I don't like rushing into things.  It's either, keep the old GPU(s) for EVGA folding purposes OR get rid of it all and just keep it simple and have the new GPU in x16 config, mind you I'll have a Dell 27" 1440p 144hz for center screen gaming with the sides 24" for randoms, and install the Sound card in what ever slot and just sell the 780s since I don't have a secondary custom liquid cool setup to be able to run those GPUs for folding purposes on my old X58 which is only air cooled system.
 
I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible without over complicating things which I believe I did above so I apologize in advance and make this transition not so stressful and painless.  
 
What to do, what to do............
 
(edit by Cool GTX: fixed typo in title, changed title & move X99 reference to body of post, moving thread to 700 series section, per OP approval)

The 780’s will probably take away resources from the newer card.

Why would you want to keep the 780’s with a new card?

(edit title post move by Cool GTX)

Moving to X99 MB section
 
previous title: Re: X99 Classified GPU configuration dilemma

Cool GTX
Moving to X99 MB section

 
Ah dangit.  I made Xray move it to the 700 series GPU section because around here it's a ghost town and it was relative to the GPU configuration, etc.
 

Cool GTX
See my EVGA X99 Classified build Nibbler
 
I have 3 GPU & PCIe SSD ---> Folding 3.5M PPD strong, pulling ~ 900 Watts with many Fans ...
 

 
 
 
The 700 series cards are not the best for Folding.  The high energy consumption and relatively low PPD output.
 
With a 10 series card you can easily get +1 Million PPD for much less Wattage


My AIO Folding Rig with 2 EVGA 1080 Ti RTW3 Hybrids, pulls ~ 600 Watts with 2.5 Million PPD


I do not recommend Folding on hardware older than the 900 series
 
However I also understand the Run what hardware you already Have.
 
 

 
Yes, I'm just trying to utilize with what I have as I won't have extra funds to purchase a GPU specifically for folding duties.  
 
As for my x3 GPU possible scenario, it would be different from your configuration because my current GPU WB's fitting holes I think won't align with the next EVGA GPU WB which will make it a pain to get it all in the same config I have now via parallel config with the use of those straight adjustable SLI fittings which lessens the restrictions of the loop otherwise I'll probably have to bump up the pumps a bit with x3 GPU blocks even though I have more than enough pumping power with x2 pumps in serial config. 
 
Regardless, if they don't match up, I'm either figuring out a way to connect one 780 with the newer gen GPU or just getting rid of both and won't have a mining rig running for the first time since I started folding years back.  Just wished they kept the same design top for all waterblocks. 
 
The next issue that would arise is, I could sell the 780s but knowing me, I'm just going to use that up on upgrades to the loop. LOL!

 

GTXJackBauer

Cool GTX
Moving to X99 MB section

 
Ah dangit.  I made Xray move it to the 700 series GPU section because around here it's a ghost town and it was relative to the GPU configuration, etc.
 

 
Sorry about that GTXJackB,
 
Your OP looked more like questions on using your X99 classy.
 
Look at page 11 of this Hydro copper manual 

The New units seem to have a "front side mounting"  option to mount your connections - and Not just Top & Bottom like the old ones

Do you Want to change the Title to Question about the GTX 780 Classifieds HCs -- Remove the X99 from Title ? (Edit Post 1 Title)
 
Then I'll Move your post & update all the subject lines back to the 700 series subsection 

Cool GTX
Do you Want to change the Title to Question about the GTX 780 Classifieds HCs -- Remove the X99 from Title ? (Edit Post 1 Title)
 
Then I'll Move your post & update all the subject lines back to the 700 series subsection 

 
Message replied. 

EVGATech_DavidR
I would go with an external solution for the sound card/audio amp, as you will generally get the same, if not better quality audio and have the benefit of eliminating cross-talk/interference from the other components inside the case.

Interesting perspective as I thought about that but not sure if the best audio comes from just add-in cards or both are the same as the price difference seems to be a bit more for add-in sound cards since that makes me think the components used are better quality but I do like the fact that as you stated, the cross-talk/interference will be lessened being external.  That could backfire since I have ALOT of wifi, gadgets going on on the desk and near me.  Not sure if that will matter or not.
 
Any great external recommendations other than the one I posted?

Thanks GTX

Thanks again David. 
 
After a couple of hours of research, reviews, etc., I'm going to keep an eye on the G5.

GTXJackBauer
Tryna keep it all one thread with relation to the GTX 780s so bare with me here.
 
I got my new screen in.  It's amazing and I'm only getting 1440p 120hz shown in NVCP and not 144hz which I was expecting via DP connection that is included with the monitor.  Anyone know what it could be?  

Installing driver 397.93 should fix that.

Ok, could you still try driver 397.93?