GTX 770 SLi buggy, single 770 OK: thoughts/possible upgrade opportunity?

Carpy2

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Nov 18, 2011
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Hey guys,

So I don't know how long I have been, but for some reason I had SLi disabled in the nvidia control panel. Probably after reformatting and things (this is actually an issue I keep running into, it auto-disables itself, so who knows how long I had it disabled?). I enabled SLi, everything was cool, then as soon as I began playing games, (H1Z1, Rise of the Tomb Raider), the display would be glitchy. Lines, weird brightness issues, and crashing. I know H1Z1 is notorious for this, but it also happens to most other games utilizing a lot of distance rendering or better graphics it seems. Disable SLi, and it works normally. It is worth noting that SLi is fine for less graphic intensive titles (not that I thought H1Z1 was really), such as counterstrike, portal 2, F1 2013/14/15, etc.

I am running an i5 2500k with H105 that has been overclocked at 4.8GHz for its entire life. Is it possible with newer GPUs it is just having trouble keeping up? I have been interested in maybe getting a i7 4970k and OC'ing that thing, or either balling out on a new 6700k or even maybe a X99 5820K xD (probably not though lol). But what most other 2500k/2600k owners have come to realize, it still isn't necessary for us to upgrade yet. Maybe my particular CPU is just getting old and it's time (I don't know if CPUs even work like that lol).

Additionally, I have tried different SLi bridges, swapping card positions, different PSU, different settings in games (high/low etc) -- no change to the behavior, about 5-20 minutes in it crashes. Both cards run fine when tested separately, and I have tried BIOS updates (although there hasn't been one since 2013...), driver updates, windows updates, etc.

Any ideas as to what's causing this SLi problem? I am mostly just curious, as the "best"/"potentially lazy" solution seems to be to sell my 770s for~$150 each on ebay, then spend an extra $50 (including the $300ish from the 770's) for a GTX 970 off Amazon w/ prime one-day :), or just shell out the extra $150-$200 for a GTX 980 (Some used ones are even going for around $400). I know I don't need a 980, but I also don't mind spending $100-200 for an upgrade at this point in time. I have been wanting to get away from SLi for a while now. Started out back with a gtx 260 -- SLI'd that, then got a 460, SLI'd that, then a 770, and now I've been running this SLi setup for a year-ish. Every time I run anSLi setup I seem to have issues, so perhaps a single 980 may be a good solution because it is a single GPU that will hopefully last quite a while (before I potentially SLi it...?). I don't mind paying more for less hassle :p. I can also chuck my super old bronze rated 1000w PSU away and get a way more efficient 450w or something.

Thoughts?
Thanks guys,
Mike 'carpy' A

Potentially relevant system specs:

OS: Win7 64-bit
Mobo: ASRock z77 Extreme4
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB SC x2 SLi
CPU: i5 2500k @ 4.8GHz
RAM: 4x4GB G.Skill Ripjaw something something
PSU: Some old bronze rated 1000w PSU
I am running two 144hz monitors (no dual screen gaming) -- I don't know if that matters at all.
 

Carpy2

Distinguished
Nov 18, 2011
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18,640
I just listed them on eBay for $168 each, check it out if you want. I don't know if it's allowed to post the link here, so just use your google skills. I bought a Gigabyte 980 G1 Gaming. Very pleased with it. I know performance gain isn't really there, but the 4GB and non-sli configuration is a bonus (imo).