Like bsbeamer and Flint Ironstag said, it's more important the programs you are running will utilize all the GPU's in tandem. Cheaper? None I've come across; maybe secondhand. Historically in the short run, a more powerful card has been cheaper.
Me personally, I'll probably go with an extension to spread the heat out and its cost effective-but I'll probably stick with one GPU. With the setup you've described, if the costs were incurred-I would stick with no more than 2 GPU's since gain would be minimal beyond that (each would likely just run with less load). SLI or Crossfire work best when bandwidths and performance specs are identical (match their bandwidths). It's really about what is cost effective for you. If you plan on carrying this setup over for a few machines then it might be for you-but I think for most MP users it wouldn't have future application unless there's crazy announcements for the future MP or they were migrating to a PC.
If I stick with internal power I was think of this for the thermal benefit:
Kaislin Vertical Graphics Card Holder Bracket,GPU Mount ,Video Card Support Kit with Riser Cable
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C4VNQY...colid=QUQ8VM9XCMIZ&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
It would require some modification though to reverse the direction. Once modified it could be engaged and disengaged as needed for workflows. Just make sure to always ground yourself always before handling anything always. Always.
For products offered in the U.S., cheaper usually translates to more risk incurred by the end user.
To the best of my knowledge this is our Northbridge:
https://ark.intel.com/products/36783/Intel-5520-I-O-Hub
It natively has 4x8 (and 1x4 which is our 3/4 switch), but they are configured into our two x16 slots; breaking this bandwidth down further will likely have bandwidth penalties.
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