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Nvidia SLI Compatibility Issue

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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Hello all,

I'm relatively uneducated when it comes to computers and I was wondering if I could get some help from those who are much more knowledgeable then myself in dealing with an issue for SLI compatibility.

My GeForce 9800GTX+ 512MB recently burned out after downloading the 196.75 driver (warning: this is a known issue for Nvidia, avoid that driver at all costs) and I'm looking to purchase a new card while the old one gets shipped off and I was looking to SLI the two cards upon it's return.

Looking to SLI my original card (PNY 9800GTX+ 512MB) with a MSI N250GTS Twin Frozr 1G GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (According to the FAQ the GTS 250 is SLI-capable with the 9800 GTX and the 9800 GTX+).

I'm using a 600W OCZ ModXstream power supply,
Asus M2N32-Delux motherboard,
But plan on replacing my processor to enable SLI when the GTX+9800 comes back.

So just asking:
1) Anyone have some experience with the MSI N250GTS card?
2) Is it compatible?
3) Can my power supply handle both cards?
4) What processor would you suggest to go with both cards?
5) Is there another card you'd suggest I purchased instead and if so why?

Many thanks for the answers :D 

More about : nvidia sli compatibility issue

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Graphics card Master

Hello and welcome to the forums :) 
1_Haven't had an experience myself,but it looks a good card
2_Yes
3_You mean in single mode right ? if so then yes
4_Depends on your budget,i5/i7 CPUs and Phenom II X4/X6s are worth to consider
5_HD 5770 would be a great choice,because its faster than GTS 250/9800GTX+ and has newer techs like DX11,Eyefinity as well

1) Awesome, I've got a friend who uses it and he's suggested it for sure.
2) Good good.
3) Sorry don't really know if it's in single mode or not, can you explain the terminology and I might be able to check xD
4) Budget isn't particularly a problem but I'm not intending for this to be an un-Godlike creation of man and machine, just something that'll keep up for the next 2-3 years of video games.
5) Do you have a particular brand you'd really look for? While speaking of Direct X 11, what's your take on it? I've personally seen it only implemented in a limited branch of games.

Thanks much for the continued answers and the warm welcome :) 

Graphics card Master

3_I mean that do you want to know if a 600W PSU is enough for 2 cards in SLI or for each cards simultaneously ?
4_OK then,an i7 930 with a good X58 motherboard like ASUS P6T along with 6GB DDR3 1333 RAMs(Brands like Corsair,G.skill,Geil,OCZ,Crucial....) with max 1.65v would be good
5_Sapphire,HIS,XFX are good brands.And as for DX11,some of current games like Dirt2,AVP,Metro2033 etc benefit from it,but i think more newer games will use it too.
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Graphics card Expert

Quote:
I think you guys for got something, 512MB 9800GTX+s CANNOT SLI with 1GB GTS250s.
Sometimes 512MB GTS250s cant even SLI with 1GB GTS250s.



I agree.

Quote below taken from PNY website regarding specifically the 9800GTX+ note #3

Quote:
1 - NVIDIA PhysX drivers are required to experience in-game GPU PhysX acceleration. Refer to www.nvidia.com/PhysX for more information.
2 - Requires application support for CUDA technology.
3 - NVIDIA SLI-certified versions of GeForce PCI Express GPUs only. A GeForce 9800 GTX+ must be paired with another GeForce 9800 GTX+, regardless of graphics card manufacturer.
5 - Feature requires supported video software. Features may vary by product.
6 - Requires other HDCP-compatible components.


Additionally > The OP plainly stated the amount of memory each card was running before a Yes answer to SLI compatibility was given.
Graphics card Master

This is one of the exceptions,9800GTX+ and GTS 250 can be used in SLI
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/245454-33-crossfire-f...
"Do the cards have to be same model?
For "Most" Nvidia cards the answer is yes,but there are some exceptions too like pairing a GTS 250 with a 9800GTX+,which can be done if both have the same amount of memory since the GTS 250 is actually a re-badged 9800GTX+ but again there are some cards like 9800GT and 8800GT which have the same specifications but in general you can't pair them in SLI,some users have reported that by flashing a 8800GT's BIOS to a 9800GT's BIOS,you can do it,but its risky and not recommended."

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/msi_geforce_gts_250...
"NVIDIA says the GeForce GTS 250 will run in SLI with the 9800 GTX+, but the two cards must have the same amount of memory in order for SLI to function: you won’t be able to pair a 1GB GeForce GTS 250 with a 512MB GeForce 9800 GTX+."
Graphics card Expert

@cs_zelot

I guess we'll see how this works out for you when you get your cards in hand, from one that's been running various SLI configurations since about, 2006 or so, I've always paired identical cards, and never had any problems doing so.

Personally I wouldn't even consider taking a chance and mis-matching cards, but you may get extremely lucky, we'll see.

Good Luck to you!
Graphics card Master

Quote:
Quote:
Looking to SLI my original card (PNY 9800GTX+ 512MB) with a MSI N250GTS Twin Frozr 1G GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card (According to the FAQ the GTS 250 is SLI-capable with the 9800 GTX and the 9800 GTX+).


You just proved your self wrong.

I didn't prove myself wrong,because first of all the second quote is from the OP.
Also i said that if both GTS 250 and 9800GTX+ one have the same amount of memory they can be run in SLI
So i meant that both need to have the same amount of memory.
Sorry if i didn't clarify my point well :) 

Ok well I've got a few more questions now :p 

1) Yeah I was planning to SLI both cards because as previously quoted in the FAQ the 250 GTS is apparently compatible with the 9800GTX+ but after reading what's been posted I'm now understanding I'm not able to SLI both cards unless both have the same memory? If I did SLI both cards wouldn't the GTS 250 simply run at half capacity to match the 9800GTX+?
2) I'm really worried about power supply issues, how does 600W power cube stand up to carrying both of these cards.

Thanks for the continued answers :D 
Graphics card Master

1_Just edited the FAQ with the fact that those cards must have same amount of memory.
I don't know what exactly will happen if you SLI a 9800GTX 512 with a GTS 250 1GB,but its not recommended.
2_As for PSU,i think it should be fine for 2 9800GTXs(go to www.slizone.com to check for certified list of PSUs,some models may not be listed though,so you better check manufacturer's site as well)

After reviewing the information it looks as if I'm going to be choosing between the following two cards to SLI with my 9800GTX+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Heavily concerned with the power supply issue, if someone could give me some information on that if I'm going to SLI my cards it'd be much appreciated. Also any information on these two cards is much welcomed.

Maziar said:
1_Just edited the FAQ with the fact that those cards must have same amount of memory.
I don't know what exactly will happen if you SLI a 9800GTX 512 with a GTS 250 1GB,but its not recommended.
2_As for PSU,i think it should be fine for 2 9800GTXs(go to www.slizone.com to check for certified list of PSUs,some models may not be listed though,so you better check manufacturer's site as well)


1) I'm just not going to bother with going to the 250GTS, it's possible but half the cards I've found that are 512MB are actually under clocked by the manufacturer's specifications.

Thanks guys for all the answers, I'll give a heads up as to how SLI the two 9800GTX+ goes.
Graphics card Master

cs_zelot said:
Heavily concerned with the power supply issue, if someone could give me some information on that if I'm going to SLI my cards it'd be much appreciated. Also any information on these two cards is much welcomed.

If you have two 55nm 9800GTX+'s then I can highly recommend a Corsair 620HX as I have been using one with a pair of 8800GT's for some time now and it's performance has been faultless.


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