SLI setup - conflicting info

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mudpie

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Feb 11, 2013
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10,510
Hello,

I'm considering setting up a SLI configuration with my existing MSI 650 Ti Boost Twin Frozr and a Gainward 650 Ti Boost Golden Sample Card. Both are factory overclocked, but to different clock rates.
I've found some info on the official Geforce forum FAQ here:
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/469402/sli/faq-quot-will-these-two-cards-work-in-sli-quot-sli-what-works-with-what-/1

according to which different brands, clock rates and BIOS versions should all be fine working together.

But here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995-15.html
they say:

"it is rather difficult to get two Nvidia cards obtained from different vendors, which deviate from the reference specification, to cooperate in SLI. From a pool of six different GeForce GTX 580 cards, only two would work together consistently. From a pool of five different GeForce GTX 570s, only three would. We had problems mixing clock rates, BIOSes, supporting platforms, and so on"

So what should I expect? Once bought, I won't be able to return the Gainward.
Thanks!
 
Solution
H
if both are 650ti's then they will run as any other sli config of 2 other identical cards.the only difference is they will run at the slowest card speed and timings. as long as the core, shader and mem speed can be matched there will be little in the way of issues.

the only time you may see an issue is with none reference cards as the difference in voltage requirements may lead to issues with the board, but on the whole should still work but again at the speed of the slowest card.

so most of the time they should work fine but as said 2 identical cards is the better option.
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Kelthar

Kelthar

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Mar 27, 2013
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There's room for conflict between the two cards if they're from different manufacturers. If possible get a 2nd MSI 650 Ti Boost Twin Frozr.

If the Gainward cannot be returned then I wouldn't risk it to be honest.
 
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M

mudpie

Honorable
Feb 11, 2013
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I know the sensible thing would be to get another identical card, but I can get the Gainward for 50$ less than the MSI, and since these are budget cards to begin with, that's nothing to sneeze at.
 
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H

HEXiT

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Mar 13, 2011
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if both are 650ti's then they will run as any other sli config of 2 other identical cards.the only difference is they will run at the slowest card speed and timings. as long as the core, shader and mem speed can be matched there will be little in the way of issues.

the only time you may see an issue is with none reference cards as the difference in voltage requirements may lead to issues with the board, but on the whole should still work but again at the speed of the slowest card.

so most of the time they should work fine but as said 2 identical cards is the better option.
 
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Solution
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mudpie

Honorable
Feb 11, 2013
5
0
10,510
In addition to posting here, I also made an inquiry with Nvidia Customer support.
I am quoting the essentials of their answer here, maybe it will also help others with similar dilemmas:

"Ideally, SLI has to work with same dedicated memory and we can buy the graphic cards from different manufacturers.. However as this technology not just involves the graphic cards but also motherboard support required, it also depends on the motherboard BIOS to support two graphic cards with different clock speeds on SLI.
So, it is recommended to buy both the cards exactly identical so as to be sure about the SLI technology. I apologize for this inconvenience, with the clock speed differences of the MSI card and the Gainward card , we may not get SLI working or even get SLI options in NVIDIA Control panel. "

So yeah, the best description would be a crapshoot, to quote Mousemonkey.

 
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