A crowd funded motherboard(s) for audiophiles - Part 2

[LTG2010]

2 hours ago, jaynyc said:

due to the 'Quick Switch' I wonder if it's 1, 2 or 3 bonafide direct2cpu slots.

There are 3 available, but slots 5 and 6 'share' bandwidth via the quickswitch- this is acting like a sort of 'router' and will re - direct data from one slot to the other depending on traffic to prevent overloading of CPU. Its not the greatest arrangement, but it really depends on what is placed in those slots.

[lmitche]

8 minutes ago, LTG2010 said:

There are 3 available, but slots 5 and 6 'share' bandwidth via the quickswitch- this is acting like a sort of 'router' and will re - direct data from one slot to the other depending on traffic to prevent overloading of CPU. Its not the greatest arrangement, but it really depends on what is placed in those slots.

I don't know if the "quick switch" is a one time switch at startup or active switch. Asus should be able to answer this question.

[lmitche]

2 hours ago, Johnseye said:

I just bought an ASRock Z270M-ITX/ac and found something hopeful.  One of the BIOS settings provides an option for a riser card and I wonder if there's some kind of trigger that allows for a different config of the PCIe lanes.  The setting is a drop down menu allowing for x16, x8x8 and x8x4x4.  The question is whether selecting this without an add on riser card the lanes can be changed.  The manual is thin on info.  If anyone can find more detail it would be appreciated.

 

http://asrock.pc.cdn.bitgravity.com/Manual/Z270M-ITXac.pdf

 

 

That setting probably enables something like this:

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4M55V07220&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-Add-On+Cards-_-9SIA4M55V07220&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuvaNz7eu2gIVloSzCh27hgblEAYYASABEgJZUfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

How you make this secure in a case is unknown to me. Rickca knows more.

[Johnseye]

17 minutes ago, lmitche said:

That setting probably enables something like this:

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4M55V07220&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-PC-_-pla-_-Add-On+Cards-_-9SIA4M55V07220&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuvaNz7eu2gIVloSzCh27hgblEAYYASABEgJZUfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

How you make this secure in a case is unknown to me. Rickca knows more.

 

So then it would define the device speeds using the 16x lane not limit that lane to free up the m.2. Thats what I was afraid of. 

[lmitche]

3 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

 

So then it would define the device speeds using the 16x lane not limit that lane to free up the m.2. Thats what I was afraid of. 

I dunno, let's see what rickca says.

[seeteeyou]

Most likely some boards from Asrock should support bifurcation as mentioned below

 

http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2195&title=fatal1ty-z170-gamingitx-ac-riser-card-support

http://www.asrock.com/asrockrack/general/productdetail.asp?Model=2U4FH-8L#Specifications

Quote

- 2 x Symmetry Riser card(X8x8/x8x8) support 4 x Full height PCIE card

 

BTW, they're also making these products that could kill two birds with one stone. Splitting a single x8 / x16 slot into separate ones while moving PCIe add-on cards further away from the noisy motherboard

 

http://www.ioi.com.tw/products/proddetail.aspx?AppID=1008&CatID=106&HostID=2073&ProdID=1060195

http://www.ioi.com.tw/products/proddetail.aspx?AppID=1013&CatID=106&HostID=2073&ProdID=1060223

 

And then we're also able to power PCIe add-on cards separately with this board

 

http://www.ioi.com.tw/products/proddetail.aspx?AppID=1008&CatID=116&HostID=2082&ProdID=1160005

 

Actually they also happened to make an add-on card with ASM3142 (usually that's only coming with motherboards while almost almost all add-on cards only have either ASM2142 or ASM1142) while regulators could be bypassed when we're feeding it directly with LT3045 @ 5V DC

 

http://www.ioiusb.com/Host-Adapter/U31-PCIE2XG322.htm

 

Here's another one with ASM3142 but those USB type-C connectors plus the lack of power connector(s) wouldn't be exactly useful

 

https://www.exsys.ch/en/usb-3-1-gen2-pcie-x2-board-2-x-c-ports-3-0a-asmedia.html

 

Let's say we're contented with the 5Gbps speed of USB 3.0 and we only need 8 USB ports by splitting a single x8 slot into 8 dedicated channels, we could get this U3X8-PCIE8XE102 while powering those USB ports separately

 

http://www.ioiusb.com/Host-Adapter/U3X8-PCIE8XE102.htm

Of course the question would be how would uPD720202 sound when compared to ASM3142

 

Quote

Eight PCI Express to USB 3.0 Single Chip Host Controllers (Renesas uPD720202, USB IF TID 380000043).

 

[Johnseye]

2 hours ago, seeteeyou said:

Most likely some boards from Asrock should support bifurcation as mentioned below

 

http://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2195&title=fatal1ty-z170-gamingitx-ac-riser-card-support

http://www.asrock.com/asrockrack/general/productdetail.asp?Model=2U4FH-8L#Specifications

 

BTW, they're also making these products that could kill two birds with one stone. Splitting a single x8 / x16 slot into separate ones while moving PCIe add-on cards further away from the noisy motherboard

 

http://www.ioi.com.tw/products/proddetail.aspx?AppID=1008&CatID=106&HostID=2073&ProdID=1060195

http://www.ioi.com.tw/products/proddetail.aspx?AppID=1013&CatID=106&HostID=2073&ProdID=1060223

 

And then we're also able to power PCIe add-on cards separately with this board

 

http://www.ioi.com.tw/products/proddetail.aspx?AppID=1008&CatID=116&HostID=2082&ProdID=1160005

 

Actually they also happened to make an add-on card with ASM3142 (usually that's only coming with motherboards while almost almost all add-on cards only have either ASM2142 or ASM1142) while regulators could be bypassed when we're feeding it directly with LT3045 @ 5V DC

 

http://www.ioiusb.com/Host-Adapter/U31-PCIE2XG322.htm

 

Here's another one with ASM3142 but those USB type-C connectors plus the lack of power connector(s) wouldn't be exactly useful

 

https://www.exsys.ch/en/usb-3-1-gen2-pcie-x2-board-2-x-c-ports-3-0a-asmedia.html

 

Let's say we're contented with the 5Gbps speed of USB 3.0 and we only need 8 USB ports by splitting a single x8 slot into 8 dedicated channels, we could get this U3X8-PCIE8XE102 while powering those USB ports separately

 

http://www.ioiusb.com/Host-Adapter/U3X8-PCIE8XE102.htm

Of course the question would be how would uPD720202 sound when compared to ASM3142

 

 

 

I read that too. They're promoting their boards as mining compatible. If a riser card can fit into one pcie slot and you can divide the lanes then there's opportunity for multiple pcie cards in an ITX board. Even if it only splits that one 16x lane there's some benefit. I just wish it would mean the m.2 could utilize it. Now it's also possible to use an Optane in a riser card and not the m.2. 

[lmitche]

6 hours ago, Johnseye said:

 

I read that too. They're promoting their boards as mining compatible. If a riser card can fit into one pcie slot and you can divide the lanes then there's opportunity for multiple pcie cards in an ITX board. Even if it only splits that one 16x lane there's some benefit. I just wish it would mean the m.2 could utilize it. Now it's also possible to use an Optane in a riser card and not the m.2. 

Take a look here:

 

https://www.computershopper.com/ces-2015/ces-2015-tour-new-silverstone-fortress-and-raven-cases-and-more!/silverstone-fortress-ftz01-vs.-raven-rvz02-thickness-comparison

 

It may be a tease however.

[Johnseye]

3 hours ago, lmitche said:

Take a look here:

 

https://www.computershopper.com/ces-2015/ces-2015-tour-new-silverstone-fortress-and-raven-cases-and-more!/silverstone-fortress-ftz01-vs.-raven-rvz02-thickness-comparison

 

It may be a tease however.

 

The link was to 2015 pc cases.  Wrong link?

[lmitche]

6 hours ago, Johnseye said:

 

The link was to 2015 pc cases.  Wrong link?

No, it shows a two PCie cards running off a single itx slot. This is still a leading mini-itx case despite being 3 years old.

 

I am not sure two cards can work with this case despite the picture showing otherwise.

[Johnseye]

17 minutes ago, lmitche said:

No, it shows a two PCie cards running off a single itx slot. This is still a leading mini-itx case despite being 3 years old.

 

I am not sure two cards can work with this case despite the picture showing otherwise.

 

Ok, I understand now.  It shows 2 for sure.  Thanks.

[rickca]

@Johnseye I'm not clear about what you want to do with your ASRock board.  Can you please clarify?

[Johnseye]

43 minutes ago, rickca said:

@Johnseye I'm not clear about what you want to do with your ASRock board.  Can you please clarify?

 

Avoid using the PCH for the m.2.

 

[seeteeyou]

M2 PCIe SSD Adapter X110
http://www.addonics.com/products/ad2m2s-PX4.php
https://www.shopaddonics.com/ProductInfo.aspx?code=AD2M2S-PX4

Quote

When SATA power connector is attached, power to all three SSDs is auto-switched to SATA power instead of PCIe slot. Only 12V is required on either the PCIe slot or the SATA power.

 

Well, don't you think that M.2 SSDs should require 3.3V instead of 12V?

[rickca]

Here's a new source of ideas we can look at

http://hifipig.com/innuos-new-zenith-statement-at-axpona-2018/

[Johnseye]

14 minutes ago, rickca said:

Here's a new source of ideas we can look at

http://hifipig.com/innuos-new-zenith-statement-at-axpona-2018/

 

Yes, we'll have to ask what's inside.

[rickca]

12 hours ago, Johnseye said:

 

Avoid using the PCH for the m.2.

 

So does using the PCIe slot with an adapter like @seeteeyou proposed do what you want, or do you have something else you want to use in that slot?

[Johnseye]

1 minute ago, rickca said:

So does using the PCIe slot with an adapter like @seeteeyou proposed do what you want, or do you have something else you want to use in that slot?

 

I'm using a tX-USBexp in the single PCIe slot.  I would have to get a riser card, a case that can support it (thanks Larry) and either the card @seeteeyou (Thanks!) linked or a new Optane card for PCIe.

 

The fact that I can manually control the PCIe lanes when using a riser card with this board opens up options I didn't know were available.

Question is whether it's worth going through all that to get it off the PCH.

[rickca]

23 minutes ago, Johnseye said:

The fact that I can manually control the PCIe lanes when using a riser card with this board opens up options I didn't know were available.

OK well first I'd contact ASRock and find out what riser card is supported.   

[Johnseye]

Just now, rickca said:

OK well first I'd contact ASRock and find out what riser card is supported.   

 

Yes for sure.

[lateboomer]

I am curious is it possible with the riser card, run one lps powered moderate gpu card externally on this ps10m mobo which taking care of all the upsampling task and then dedicate the streaming task only to a low power cpu? With this arrangement the server and renderer will be in one box with optimum connection without Ethernet and another hardcore server.  The mobo still behaves as light weight renderer as Zenith does with small footprint and also incorporate the startech USB card in this setup. Would this be possible and strike gold? 

[rickca]

Another disappointment from Intel

https://www.anandtech.com/show/12693/intel-delays-mass-production-of-10-nm-cpus-to-2019

[ALRAINBOW]

While I am going to get bashed and feed back filled with bull. I'll post this anyway in the hope some learns from it.  

You want a full size atx , not ant micro , mini or nano.  

The reason is sound , the why is emi and rfi of the parts on the board. 

You may or may not need more than one PCI slot . If any PCI slots that mY be needed a lan card is a must have. It frees up CPU and better network performance yielding better sound. 

A 4 12 volt CPU buss feed and plenty of voltage regulators large ones are needed.  

At present top end gamer boards are best.  

Crowd source some of the above and I am in.  Most here are looking and thinking case size and not sound. If this is about looks then why bother it's about sound for me and always. 

A M2 slot is cool two are not needed but ok if it has them.  

Anyway there are some real world comments enjoy or give replies back either way it's facts I just posted.  Ps you don't need a USB audio card nor clock upgrades on the main board but being able to have them on the two clocks is a good feature to have. 

Key points isolation and many great regulators are key overall. 

[rickca]

Good motherboard here ASRock Z370 Taichi.  It can actually do PCIe x8/x4/x4 on 3 full-size slots all connected to the CPU.  The M.2 slots and PCIe x1 slots connect to the chipset.  This is ATX of course.

 

I wonder if the upcoming i9-9900K is compatible with existing Z370 boards?

[rando]

9 hours ago, rickca said:

Good motherboard here ASRock Z370 Taichi.  It can actually do PCIe x8/x4/x4 on 3 full-size slots all connected to the CPU.  The M.2 slots and PCIe x1 slots connect to the chipset.  This is ATX of course.

 

I wonder if the upcoming i9-9900K is compatible with existing Z370 boards?

 

I will reenter briefly since discussion of commissioning a unique design has tapered to nothing. 

 

The Z370 Taichi is one of the best gaming boards available for Intel core processors.  I hesitate to speak too soon, given Z390 was pulled at the last moment and Intel has developed an aptitude for years long delays, but it should support the new i9.  If Z390 does launch for this gen of processors it should hold some very welcome features for general use.  For sure the Taichi will integrate CNVi and max out board mounted USB 3.1 gen 2 type A and C.  Q390 looks much more interesting to me with professional use H370 designs putting the PCIe x16 slot on cpu lanes my currently available preference.  The latter having both kinds of 10 Gbit/s USB ports and none of those lovely RGB LED sure to enhance the cleanliness of your power.  

 

My interest remains in forgoing gaming boards packed with fluff and built to lower tolerances than professional quality components we will pair to it.  Too much focus is put on powering inferior board mounted DAC, water pumps, and shockingly inefficient gpu.  A sophisticated fanless design molded by thoughtful committee that pared it into sleek form is the only reason this thread exists.  Where we dictate board architecture and spec capacitors solely for audio use powered by a system matched linear power supply.