How can I enable SLI with 2 cards with different memory?

Buddy710

Reputable
Sep 21, 2014
8
0
4,510
Hello! I read the SLI FAQ, I've also Googled around quite a bit for this.

I have 2 9600GT's with an SLI bridge attached. I know they're not the best but I have 2 so. -
One has 1024mb of memory, and one has 512mb of memory. They are the same in every other way, and both cards are recognized in GPU-Z, GPU shark, etc.

Everything that I've read says that as long as the core clock, and everything else are the same, SLI'ing 2 cards with different memory will simply bring the higher memory card, down to the lower memory.

However this is not happening, as in the NVIDIA control panel, I don't have any option to "configure SLI," as has been suggested in every guide I've seen.

There are only 3 options under 3D settings:
-Adjust image settings with preview
-Manage 3D settings
-Set PhysX configuration (it does NOT say, "set SLI and PhysX configuration.")

So it is not recognizing 2 SLI capable cards. How can I remedy this, or, is there software I can use to manually bring the memory of the larger one down, to match for SLI?

Thanks so much!


------------

GPU Shark v0.9.1
(C)2013 Geeks3D -
----------------------------------------
- Elapsed time: 00:23:41
- GL memory - total:1024MB, usage:257MB
GPU 1 - NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
- GPU temp: 60.0°C (min:60.0°C - max:62.0°C)
- Fan speed: 35.0%
- # Pstates: 1
- Current Pstate:
- Core: 700.0MHz
- Mem: 999.0MHz
- VDDC: 1.100V
- GPU usage:
- GPU: 0.0%, max: 12.0%
- Limiting policies (NVIDIA):
- no limitation
GPU 2 - NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
- GPU temp: 44.0°C (min:44.0°C - max:45.0°C)
- Fan speed: 35.0%
- # Pstates: 1
- Current Pstate:
- Core: 700.0MHz
- Mem: 999.0MHz
- VDDC: 1.100V
- GPU usage:
- GPU: 0.0%, max: 0.0%
- Limiting policies (NVIDIA):
- no limitation

can't figure out how to export GPU-z data ;/
 
Solution
FAQ "Will these two cards work in SLI?" SLI: What works with what?
- All GPUs must have the same amount of VRAM and an identical Bus Width
-- You cannot use a "2GB" version with a "4GB" version or "3GB" version with a "6GB" version in SLI or a 1GB 192 bit bus with a 1GB 256 bit bus Etc.
Note: It used to be possible to enable SLI on cards with differing VRAM but this is no longer available.
Last Updated August 5th 2014
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/469402/sli/faq-quot-will-these-two-cards-work-in-sli-quot-sli-what-works-with-what-/

Now if you still want to try to get it figured out, the key used to be to use Coolbits. Try incorporating that into your searches...
FAQ "Will these two cards work in SLI?" SLI: What works with what?
- All GPUs must have the same amount of VRAM and an identical Bus Width
-- You cannot use a "2GB" version with a "4GB" version or "3GB" version with a "6GB" version in SLI or a 1GB 192 bit bus with a 1GB 256 bit bus Etc.
Note: It used to be possible to enable SLI on cards with differing VRAM but this is no longer available.
Last Updated August 5th 2014
https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/469402/sli/faq-quot-will-these-two-cards-work-in-sli-quot-sli-what-works-with-what-/

Now if you still want to try to get it figured out, the key used to be to use Coolbits. Try incorporating that into your searches.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1396366/sli-two-gtx-580-with-different-vram-sizes
http://downloads.guru3d.com/downloadget.php?id=815&file=7&evp=7102f610a7970bf6bcc328403152be5f
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/nvtweak_(formerly_coolbits).html

 
Solution