Guru 3D SLI Users Guide (Part #2)

[barwell1992]

cool maybe nvidia are been naughty and trying to make our cards slow down to make us by a new one ?

[Li4m79]

lol....probably!!! hopefully it`ll be a wee while yet before i have to replace these, they seem to be doing ok with today's games so far.....

[barwell1992]

yup i agree im only using one card for cod mw2 and at 1920x1200 one from max settings 2xaa and i dont get any stuttering would like to use sli with it but have been avoiding there recent drivers

[carlos3d]

hello:

I have 2 nvidia quadro fx 1400. In the Nvidia web say fx 1400 are ready for SLI technology.

It's true? i can conect the 2 cards?

Thanks

[blumentopferde]

I have a question on 4-way SLI:
Does it mean that i can interconnect 4 GPUs?

If yes:
Which Motherboards can handle this?
Many motherboards have 2 1x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, but if they have more than 2 PCIe 2.0 x 16 slots, they will be described as "electric x8" or "x4". What does it mean? can I still run 4 GPUs on these slots?
What PSU would I need for rig including a 6-core CPU and 4 Geforce GTX 470 GPUs?

hope you can make things clearer to me!
cheers!

[sivis]

Well, hello! I've got a question here, if you don't mind.
Going to upgrade my system frm 4870x2 to 470 SLI. Question: Is it worth it?
I had expirience with 9800GX2 earlier and microstuttering was horrific. With 4870x2 most problems was connected with software support and drivers going out when i finished the game.Twice. NVidia got good enough software support? Is there still problems like that with SLI? Maybe I should wait for GTX485?

Thanks in advance.

[SirDremor]

Hi, sivis.

I am not sure GTX 470 is a good idea. I have been in a similiar situation a month ago (I had GTX 285). I was trying to choose what to upgrade to. One day I just sat and began reading tonns of reviews, comparing all kinds of cards to try to understand, what is the best possible combination (vs price of course).

And I made my mind. I bought 2x GTX460 1Gb. I think this combination is almost a winner in any scenario.
Maybe ATI can beat this card by a price, but I really doubt that (ATI HD5870 costs nearly 400$ here in Russia, and my GTX 460 - only 250$ a piece).

Anyway, the move was totally justified - the performance of 2x GTX 460 in SLI is magnificent!
I've got 3dMark Vantage GPU score of 26657 points - that score puts me right at the score of 2x HD5870! (all of that at 800 Mhz overclock, but I really think I can overclock even further, but just don't need to right now).
AND, if you will look at Guru3D 3dMark Vantage results, you will see, that the GPU Score of 26657 beats even 2x GTX 470 in SLI with 24932 points!

From other "pluses" - the cards are chill (never exceeding 70-75 degrees) and completely silent (i've got Gigabyte OC versions - you can read in Guru3d GTX 460 Reviews - they were also astonished by the silence of it!). And you will never get this from GTX 470! (except for water cooling, of course)

So if I had to make a choice, I would have gone for 2x GTX 460 once again (or would have waited for the "full" GF104 card with one additional cluster enabled!).

[Joohan]

Just got another Gigabyte GTX460 1gb OC and used the sli hack because my Maximus II Formula doesn't originally support it. Using the "hack" was really easy. Just installed the second gpu, ran the latest sli patch or "hack" and rebooted. Works like a dream!

[mrmcguire]

I'm new here. Hai! I love guru3d articles.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforc...-sli-review/14

This article recommends at least a 700 watt power supply for two GTX 560s, but I was curious as to why. Based on their tests, the whole system should come up to around 449W w/o OCing? Why such a high PSU recommendation? It also recommends 800-1000 for overclocking which seems high as well.

[cowie]

Its best to have some room on the psu for sli.
higher end rigs use a bit more power and if cpu/vga's are overclocked will draw far more wattage.

[Psycho101]

Originally Posted by mrmcguire

I'm new here. Hai! I love guru3d articles.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforc...-sli-review/14

This article recommends at least a 700 watt power supply for two GTX 560s, but I was curious as to why. Based on their tests, the whole system should come up to around 449W w/o OCing? Why such a high PSU recommendation? It also recommends 800-1000 for overclocking which seems high as well.

Having 20-30% headroom means that the PSU will run cooler (and therefore quieter) as well as be more efficient (efficiency goes down as you get near to full load on most units).

Having some headroom will also allow for any overclocking as well as wiggle room for future upgrades.

For me, a PSU, along with possibly HDD's/SSD's are two things that I carry over from build to build. I buy my PSU expecting it to be good for a bare minimum of two builds, maybe three. I'm drawing just above 500W from the wall with two OC'd 460's and a decently OC'd i5 760, so I could comfortably upgrade to SLI 570's or Crossfire 6970's if I wished. Kepler SLI should also be well within safe limits.

[Morketh]

the original thread was posted in 2005 saying that if you go Dual SLI then you can only use 1 monitor. Is this still the case? I will not even consider using Dual SLI if I cannot run with 2 monitors.

[Tachy.G]

Originally Posted by Morketh

the original thread was posted in 2005 saying that if you go Dual SLI then you can only use 1 monitor. Is this still the case? I will not even consider using Dual SLI if I cannot run with 2 monitors.

You can run as many monitors as you can plug in if each card supports filling it's slots, which most new ones do.

Only the main Display will get the full 3D Acceleration.

The original thread is extremely outdated and much of the info is plain wrong now.

PS Anyone know a way to make RivaTuner not trip the UAC every time I cold boot?

[wolverin0]

I have a question, maybe someone can enlighten me

http://www.slizone.com/page/slizone_faq.html#c16

Its about compatibility
There you can read that an XXXGTX model (lets say 460) can be paired up with another XXXGTX card (NEEDS to be the same amount of RAM)

So lets say I have a 460GTX and a 465GTX
Will they work? Should from 2XXGTX to 5XXGTX with THE SAME amount of RAM work in SLI ¿?

Thanks a bunch.

[aCid.]

Hi, Im about to SLI my Gigabyte GTX570 GV-N570OC-13I. But currently no more production on that model. So someone suggest me to go for other vendor.

Question is, if I do SLI between GV-N570OC-13I and MSI GTX570, will it stable? How about performance ? will be same ? Thanks in advance.

[x_Heavy]

I have two Lightning Extreme GTX 580's from last year running on a MSI GD65 board. (Z68)

They are PCI_2.0 not the current 3.0

Does the PCI 2.0 Cards fit into and work fully in a 3.0 Slot with part of the end tab busted off? So I may cheat and enjoy 16x 16x 16x on a MSI Big Bang II for example?

I have a oppertunity to land either a MSI 580 card or another MSI 580 card but half the memory.

These are good cards and am loath to sell them off to raise funds for the newer MSI Lightnings running at 4 gig memory each and PCI 3.0 The old cards I have in SLI runs BF3 at about 120 fps give or take between 85 to 200 depending on what the game server is doing. (Numbers taken from Fraps running in upper left corner)

Or just get em both and QUAD SLI it using the "Little 1.5 gig 580" as a Pysx card.

What 1155 board must I get to have at least 16x 16x 8x and maybe another x8 if possible and still have the factory SLI Bridge?

Thank you kindly for your time, I have invested about a year into my build and am getting ready to transfer it all into a newer Board (Preferably MSI)

[x_Heavy]

It is most unfortunate to see that there is no reply or assistance to my post asking for confirmation of Tri-SLI Plans.


Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
2 COUGAR CF-V14HB Vortex Hydro-Dynamic-Bearing (Fluid) 300,000 Hours 14CM Silent Cooling Fan (Black) COUGAR CF-V14HB Vortex Hydro-Dynamic-Bearing (Fluid) 300,000 Hours 14CM Silent Cooling Fan (Black)
Item #: N82E16835553007
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$0.80 Sale
$33.98
$32.38
1 Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case, support up to E-ATX / XL-ATX, come with Four Fans - 1 x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1 x Top 230mm Fan, 1 x Side 230mm Fan, 1 x Rear 140mm Fan-Retail Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case, support up to E-ATX / XL-ATX, come with Four Fans - 1 x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1 x Top 230mm Fan, 1 x Side 230mm Fan, 1 x Rear 140mm Fan-Retail
Item #: N82E16811147053
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$20.00 Instant
$149.99
$129.99
8 Rosewill 19.7 Rosewill 19.7" Serial ATA III Blue Round Cable w/ Locking Latch Support 6 Gbps, 3 Gbps, and 1.5 Gbps transfer rate Model RCA-RU-19-SA3-BL
Item #: N82E16812119273
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$0.70 Sale
$31.92
$26.32
1 Rosewill SATA 1.5 / 3.0 / 6.0 Gb/s Internal 2.5 Rosewill SATA 1.5 / 3.0 / 6.0 Gb/s Internal 2.5" & 3.5" HDD to USB 3.0 External Adapter w/ both 2.5" and 3.5" Black Silicon Protection Case for HDD
Item #: N82E16812119279
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$10.00 Instant
$29.99
$19.99
8 Rosewill Model RCAB-11044 10 Rosewill Model RCAB-11044 10" SATA III Blue Round Cable w/ Locking Latch, Supports 6 Gbps, 3 Gbps, and 1.5 Gbp
Item #: N82E16812119378
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$0.70 Sale
$23.92
$18.32
8 Rosewill Model RCAB-11045 24 Rosewill Model RCAB-11045 24" SATA III Blue Round Cable w/ Locking Latch, Supports 6 Gbps, 3 Gbps, and 1.5 Gbp
Item #: N82E16812119379
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$0.70 Sale
$39.92
$34.32
1 EVGA P67 FTW 160-SB-E679-KR LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard EVGA P67 FTW 160-SB-E679-KR LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813188082
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$30.00 Instant
$249.99
$219.99
1 ENERMAX EPM1350EWT 1350W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply ENERMAX EPM1350EWT 1350W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
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Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $389.99
2 Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound AS5-3.5G - OEM Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound AS5-3.5G - OEM
Item #: N82E16835100007
Return Policy: Consumable Item Refund Only Return Policy -$2.00 Instant
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$19.98
1 CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835181017
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$5.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$114.99
$109.99
4 COUGAR CF-V12HP Vortex Hydro-Dynamic-Bearing (Fluid) 300,000 Hours 12CM Silent Cooling Fan with Pulse Width Modulation COUGAR CF-V12HP Vortex Hydro-Dynamic-Bearing (Fluid) 300,000 Hours 12CM Silent Cooling Fan with Pulse Width Modulation
Item #: N82E16835553002
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy -$1.20 Sale
$67.96
$63.16



http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=28042008

Now I already have two MSI Lightning 580 cards in SLI. The purpose of these parts and replacement motherboard is going to be getting a third 580 Lightning also from MSI...

I have located and having a third 580 XE Lightning shipped. I searched the world via net and found 8 or so in total from prices 450 USD to 1100 Exchange rate equivalent.

Seriously, these cards are bullet proof the way I use them in BF3, frames in Metro average 110 give or take between 90 to 145 depending on server behavior and combat situation.

A third identical card with a total of damn close to 10 Gig of Video Memory... whew... I think the only issue is my i7 2600K processor. If that starts to stumble I will have to replace everything and use the money to build a totally new i7 3730 machine= and PCIE 3.0 UGH...

So Intel i7-2600K don't you let me down!

Certainly will buy the Enermax power supply... gotta have the juice.. the problem becomes a monster battery to break the UPS truck in two to have protection...

By the time everything is done in my old HAF X case (two black 140 mm fans are replacing casefans...) I will be about 1500 dollars in...

I am also thinking of purchasing a THOR as well to get a more room to stuff all this crap into.

What say you?

[Singleton99]

[mhadina]

Originally Posted by x_Heavy

It is most unfortunate to see that there is no reply or assistance to my post asking for confirmation of Tri-SLI Plans.


1 Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case, support up to E-ATX / XL-ATX, come with Four Fans - 1 x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1 x Top 230mm Fan, 1 x Side 230mm Fan, 1 x Rear 140mm Fan-Retail Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case, support up to E-ATX / XL-ATX, come with Four Fans - 1 x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1 x Top 230mm Fan, 1 x Side 230mm Fan, 1 x Rear 140mm Fan-Retail
Item #: N82E16811147053

Nice cooling capacity out of the box....imho


.......remove these cables please oh God.....removed

1 EVGA P67 FTW 160-SB-E679-KR LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard EVGA P67 FTW 160-SB-E679-KR LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813188082

OK very nice

1 ENERMAX EPM1350EWT 1350W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply ENERMAX EPM1350EWT 1350W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply

OK, that will do ....

1 CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835181017

I wouldn't want this in my setup. Problems with speed regulator tends to broke are well known....as I heared


http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=28042008

Now I already have two MSI Lightning 580 cards in SLI. The purpose of these parts and replacement motherboard is going to be getting a third 580 Lightning also from MSI...

I have located and having a third 580 XE Lightning shipped. I searched the world via net and found 8 or so in total from prices 450 USD to 1100 Exchange rate equivalent.

Seriously, these cards are bullet proof the way I use them in BF3, frames in Metro average 110 give or take between 90 to 145 depending on server behavior and combat situation.

A third identical card with a total of damn close to 10 Gig of Video Memory... whew... I think the only issue is my i7 2600K processor. If that starts to stumble I will have to replace everything and use the money to build a totally new i7 3730 machine= and PCIE 3.0 UGH...

So Intel i7-2600K don't you let me down!

Certainly will buy the Enermax power supply... gotta have the juice.. the problem becomes a monster battery to break the UPS truck in two to have protection...

By the time everything is done in my old HAF X case (two black 140 mm fans are replacing casefans...) I will be about 1500 dollars in...

I am also thinking of purchasing a THOR as well to get a more room to stuff all this crap into.

What say you?

What monitor setup and resolution do you use? Do you really need an upgrade?

[cmramlow]

I have been reading some of these posts and haven't even considered SLI until now.

Would you guys recommend I get another 570 and SLI it or a 680? My goal is to run Skyrim heavily texture modded and Far Cry 3 on 1900x1080 highest settings with out the stuttering I am getting now in a highly wooded and grassy area.

I have an intel i5 2500k, and 16GB ram, gtx 570 OC'd

Thoughts and recomendations appreciated.

[Uncle Dude]

Originally Posted by cmramlow

My goal is to run Skyrim heavily texture modded

There's your answer. Although 2 570s will get better framerates in most games, you are currently very vram limited. I'd suggest picking up a a 670 or 680 4GB model.

Skyrim with a fairly modest smattering of texture mods uses every bit of my 2GB.

[cmramlow]

Originally Posted by Uncle Dude

There's your answer. Although 2 570s will get better framerates in most games, you are currently very vram limited. I'd suggest picking up a a 670 or 680 4GB model.

Skyrim with a fairly modest smattering of texture mods uses every bit of my 2GB.

So 4GB is the ddeciding factor in my case. That's what I thought but wasn't sure since 2 SLI 570's only have a total of almost 2.5GB of RAM.

Thanks for the advise. Any specific brand/model for a good price/performance point?

[Uncle Dude]

When you go SLI, your available vram doesn't change - it's not cumulative. The same data is mirrored on each graphics card, so you'd still only have 1.25 GB available if you installed a second 570.

As for brands, I'm partial to EVGA, if for no other reason than good reputed customer service, though I've never had cause to use it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Asus either. I've been very pleased with their motherboards.

I'm sure other members here would vouch for other brands as well so just get what you like. If you're interested in non-reference cooling solutions, I'd figure out what card you want (670/680 etc.), then do a search for benchmarks/temperatures of it's different variants. Good luck.

[cmramlow]

Originally Posted by Uncle Dude

When you go SLI, your available vram doesn't change - it's not cumulative. The same data is mirrored on each graphics card, so you'd still only have 1.25 GB available if you installed a second 570.

As for brands, I'm partial to EVGA, if for no other reason than good reputed customer service, though I've never had cause to use it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Asus either. I've been very pleased with their motherboards.

I'm sure other members here would vouch for other brands as well so just get what you like. If you're interested in non-reference cooling solutions, I'd figure out what card you want (670/680 etc.), then do a search for benchmarks/temperatures of it's different variants. Good luck.

Thanks Uncle!

[Anarion]

I have to say that I'm really impressed about SLI. I think it's finally mature enough. I've had zero issues with it and games feel smoother even when some were already v-sync limited. Also, mouse lag in Skyrim with v-sync seems to be noticeably smaller. I can't spot any micro stuttering and everything is just so smooth and just works. No noticeable difference in desktop usage when it comes to noise and gaming is actually quieter because one card at 100% makes more noise than two at 50%-80%. With second card it really manages to keep the v-sync limit (75Hz) in games that I play.