PCIe Expansion for GPU

[rbcameron1]

I'm looking to boost my iRay performance (3dsMax 2012) by adding a Tesla C2050 to my system. I only have 2 x16 slots currently occupied by two beautiful Quadro 4000's. So...
I've posted this question before on AUGI, RevitCity.com and "the Area". Can ANYONE tell me if they've successfully used ANY type of PCIe Expansion boxes? I'm thinking like Nvidia's Quadro Plex systems (any flavor), Magma, Netstor, OSS or even a Dell C410x...???
I'm currently looking into a Netstor NA211a-GPU. It contains a pci-e x8 slot that fits a x16 card. Then that goes through a x4 host card over a x4 pci-e cable. contrary to belief, this is actually a faster (much faster) connection than the old quadro plex 1000's. If it has a 250Watt power supply and goes from my C2050 to x16 to x8 slot over an x4 cable, what are my performance issues?
Has anyone even thought about doing this or is this a giant waste of $750 box + $800+/--card?

[rbcameron1]

No one can tell me whether or not they've pondered using a PCIe Expansion system? I thought it was the whole point of using Maximus? By no means am I desperate to know this answer as to whether its worth it or not to own. (I realize Reality Server is the way to go.) It would just be justifiable information for me to give a "go" or "no go." on this type of purchase. This is nVidia's forum right..?. with programmers and high end visualization experts the world over? and everyone is using old GTX 590 cards??? Anyone out there?

[SunDevilDave]

check out Cubix expansion boxes www.cubix.com. We use them at work. I have hooked up multiple external boxes at the same time. I found a linear performance increase when I compared (1) 580GTX to (4) 580GTXs. I know these are game cards but they should take the Teslas or if you have the means, wait for the Kepler 2 cards that are due out the 4th quarter. Sorry no one responded sooner. Try posting in the "mental ray - iray" forum next time.I think you'll have more success.

cheers!

[SunDevilDave]

http://forum.mentalimages.com/showth...nd-Performance
this was a post I had put in the forum some time back that is related to your question.