Why can't I SLI?

timakudo

Reputable
Sep 15, 2014
6
0
4,510
Hi Everyone,

Not totally sure what the issue is. I have procured a motherboard that supports SLI, 2 x GTX 660Ti graphics cards connected with an SLI bridge and all the other standard stuff. Issue is that when I go to Nvidia control panel I have no SLI options what so ever. Can anyone help?

2i05948.png


I have tried:
- removing all trace of nvidia drivers and reinstalling
- checking UEFI, northbridge set to PCI (saw to check this in a similar thread)
- taking everything out and reseating
- checked mobo, SLI compatible

I'm thinking:
- possibly faulty bridge (though never used)
- not enough power (not sure how to check this, some posts say yey and some ney, overall not too clear)
- SLI connector issues on one of the graphics cards (though they look perfectly fine)
- Some inherent incompatibility with the cards? I hear EVGA may limit their SLI compatibility with other vendors
- No idea otherwise...

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

What I have:
- ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
- 16GB(4x4GB) DDR-3 1600
- EVGA Geforce 660TI 2GB
- ASUS Geforce 660TI DC2O 2GB
- Hitachi 1TB HDD
- Samsung EVO 128GB SSD
- Intel Core i5-3570K @ 3.4GHz (LGA1155) + Corsair H55 Cooler
- Antec 620W 80+ Bronze (HCG-620)
- This 1 fan that glows red and makes my case purdy (among other fans)
 
Solution
Insert one graphics card into PCIE1 slot and the other graphics card to PCIE3 slot. Make sure that the cards are properly seated on the slots.

Gommerspider: as for one card being OC'd it does not matter. Once in sli it will set both cards to the slowest settings between both cards.

timakudo

Reputable
Sep 15, 2014
6
0
4,510
Couple more things:
- ASUS is the main card, where the monitor is connected
- First time trying SLI
- Nvidia control panel can see the second EVGA card, so I'm assuming it should be good to go
- SLI bridge is on the connectors closest to the back of the case

THANKS!
 
Insert one graphics card into PCIE1 slot and the other graphics card to PCIE3 slot. Make sure that the cards are properly seated on the slots.

Gommerspider: as for one card being OC'd it does not matter. Once in sli it will set both cards to the slowest settings between both cards.
 
Solution

timakudo

Reputable
Sep 15, 2014
6
0
4,510
I always saw online how snug Micro-ATX SLI-enabled motherboards had their setups, and wasn't a huge fan. Then I installed it in mine and it didn't seem snug at all. I had looked over the manual for this board over and over and I seemed to have everything right. Even tried another bridge and still had the same issue. I glanced at Faalin's response above and gave it another gander.

Low and behold, I had the second 660Ti in the 4th PCI slot and not the 3rd.

I feel like a right dummy and I'm so sorry for wasting everyone's time.

What I have learnt:
- You guys are awesome
- When you're sure you've done everything right, re-check everything again
- I work in tech support (for mac, don't send any hate my way) and I had a "customer moment"
- Technology is poo

Many thanks to all of you that offered your assistance.