Hey guys,
I have an EVGA x58 3-Way SLI motherboard, and two XFX 5850's. I want to run the two cards in crossfire. The only issue is that I have an X-Fi Titanium Pro plugged into the only PCI-e x4 slot, preventing me from putting one of the cards in the top-most PCI-e x16 slot.

If I have two GPU's in the bottom most PCI-e slots (one labeled x16/x8, and the other just x8), will both run at x16? Nothing is populating the top-most PCI-e slot. 

I can't rework this configuration for reasons I won't go into, but I need to know if the bottom two PCI-e slots will both run at x16 if the top slot is empty.

Thanks!

OK, one more quick question - 

I have removed my sound card, and now have the GPUs installed in the top slot and the middle slot (both which should be rated for x16 speeds). When I go into Catalyst Control Center and look at my GPU information, it says that my primary card is running at x16, and the 2nd at only x8. 

Why is this? How can I fix it? :(

For the 758 they should be in the top two side by side, for the 760, 1st and third, for the 759 with the nf200, it can run 3X16X, the 4 way has 2 nf200 chips. You may have to serch for specific sized jumpers depending on your configeration, and board model.

If there is anything in the third one remove it, The first one is 16X all the time, the second one is 16X if the 3rd slot is empty, and 8X if anything is in it.

Thanks guys - that is a real shame that I cannot crossfire 2 dual-slot cards (and have a sound card) while keeping the 2 cards running at x16.. That was one of the biggest reasons I bought this board. Guess I'll have to look into selling. :/

Thanks for your help.

I have the 758. What was happening with mine was when in 2D mode or a downclock, it would show 8x.

Another option for sound cards is a Creative Xfi Model SB1090, It is a USB sound card so it does not usa a slot, or any PCIe lanes. If you have a board that has acess to a 1X slot or rasier cards, it utilizes the South Bridge, and doesn't affect your 16X status, consider water cooling dual cards so they become single cards, that is another option, an additional option is EVGA's 4 way board.It hsa 2 NF200 chips and allows 4X16X,  One of the things I recomend is the time to reserch and review yor options, is before the build, so you know what to buy, without limit. But you can still do what you want, as long as you know your limits, and adjust accordingly. ( a 759 if you can find one used, has 1 NF200 chip and supports 3X16X)  

In 2nd  & 3rd,( which would be 3 & 5 ) ( I assume this is what you mean) see post # 8,  both cards should work at 8X, what do you have in slot 1; and Why do you want to run your cards GIMPED ? slot 2 is the 1X slot.

I would try to remove the sound card an hook it up the way it is supposd to be, so you could deturmine if the card is the problem or the slot is the problem, if it is the card I would contact ATI, if it is the slot I would contact EVGA, EVGA's # is 888-880-EVGA. and they have 24/7 tech support., This is assuming that your PSU is capable of running both cards,( don't know what you have )  I would also try running them one at a time. to deturmine if it is the card or the board. 
 
Also your sound card will work in any slot since PCIE slots are backwards compatable so puting the 1st card in slot one would make it 16X, puting the sound card in slot 5 and the other in slot 3 you would get 16X 8X, 8X as apposed to getting 1X, 8X, 8X. using the 1X and the two split slots. ( this is assuming that your second slot is not damaged or defective )  

For optimum performance put graphic cards in 1 & 3 and Sound card in 5, this will net you 16X, 8X, 8X. This would be the higherst performance you can get with your setup due to configuration issues.  If you wanted to run 2X16X Creative labs has a USB sound card the SB-1090, it's a X-fi USB device, so no PCIe lanes or slots' and no bandwith loss.
 
If you are sure it's not the cards, or board, all that leaves is drivers, You might want to try Drive sweeper in safe mode, and a reinstall, or a conflict with a resource between the new sound card and the graphics card.