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Can't enable SLI and second vidya card isn't being detected.

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Can't enable SLI and second vidya card isn't being detected.

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Thathomelessguy   11-05-2009 at 12:56:08 AM

alright, so I've got a problem. I just got two GeForce 9600 GT 2GB, however my computer is only detecting one. I have an xfx750a mobo, amd 64 4000 and 1gb DDR2 memory, also have a modxstream-pro 700w PSU.
I also enabled SLI in BIOS. No option for enabling SLI in the nvidia control panel.

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photonboy   11-05-2009 at 01:56:20 AM
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Do you have a 64-bit Operating System?

A 32-bit Operating System has a 4GB limit which refers to its Memory Map. It can only address or "talk to" up to 4GB of hardware. Your 1GB of RAM drops this down to 3GB and your first 2GB card drops this down to 1GB left out of which your computer uses at least half of that for other hardware.

You can NOT run two, 2GB video cards without a 64-bit Operating System.

(FYI, a 9600GT in reality can't use above 512MB for any existing games so the added Video RAM is consuming energy but not really being uses. Sorry.)

You may have another problem but what I mentioned is absolute fact.

If you upgrade to Windows 7 x64 (OEM) you should get more RAM. 3GB or 4GB is fine.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by photonboy on 11-05-2009 at 01:57:19 AM
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Bronze Graphics badge EXT64   11-05-2009 at 02:01:26 AM
- 0 +

Well, I am not sure what your exact issue is, but I once had a similar problem, except my SLI worked before. It was on an A8N-SLI Deluxe, and one day it decided to only intermittently (very rarely, less than 10% at first, then never) detect the second card. I sent the board back to Asus and they fixed it (unfortunately I am not certain of what exactly they had to fix, as they were not specific, but all I do know is that some part of the board did go bad and had to be replaced).


Message edited by EXT64 on 11-05-2009 at 02:01:57 AM
------------------------------ New Build : Intel Core i5 750 > Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P > 2x2GB GSkill 1600MHz CL7 1.65V > Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB >
Antec 300 Illusion > Asus 4850 512MB w/AM Cooler > Corsair 650HX > CM Hyper 212 Plus > Other: PII 940/Gigabyte 790GX/4850 1G
 Reply to EXT64
Cygone   11-05-2009 at 03:03:21 AM
- 0 +

Yes u can run 2bg of video ram on a 32bit OS, I know that as I am running 3x896 mb absolutly fine.

I had the same issue when i went from 2sli to 3sli.

I assume u have the SLI bridge installed?

What version of nV drivers are you using?

1gb ram ?

U really dont need to bother, sell a video card and buy more RAM!

Reply to Cygone
Bronze Graphics badge mousemonkey   11-05-2009 at 03:10:57 AM
- 0 +

photonboy wrote :

Do you have a 64-bit Operating System?

A 32-bit Operating System has a 4GB limit which refers to its Memory Map. It can only address or "talk to" up to 4GB of hardware. Your 1GB of RAM drops this down to 3GB and your first 2GB card drops this down to 1GB left out of which your computer uses at least half of that for other hardware.

You can NOT run two, 2GB video cards without a 64-bit Operating System.

(FYI, a 9600GT in reality can't use above 512MB for any existing games so the added Video RAM is consuming energy but not really being uses. Sorry.)

You may have another problem but what I mentioned is absolute fact.

If you upgrade to Windows 7 x64 (OEM) you should get more RAM. 3GB or 4GB is fine.



System RAM and video are not the same thing and more importantly 2x 2GB cards = 2GB not 4GB

------------------------------ [:mousemonkey:1] http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/5041/vr2009champ.jpg
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photonboy   11-08-2009 at 10:34:39 PM
- 0 +

Memory Map:

No, System Memory and Video Memory are not the same thing. I agree. But both are part of the Memory Map, and in a 32-bit system the maximum is 4GB. The 4GB limit INCLUDES the System Memory and Video memory (and a few other things).

I know that you have an EFFECTIVE use of 2GB when you have two, 2GB cards because of the way that the VRAM is "cloned." I would think that Windows would still have the VRAM mapped to a total of 4GB in the Memory Map (if possible).

Also, I don't believe you have to be running in Crossfire/SLI just because you have two cards.

I'm pretty sure that Windows needs 4GB in the Memory Map for two, 2GB cards.

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