Can I Support SLI? If I Can, Should I?

[iamaaron]

Hello Tom's Hardware!

I have a question for you today.

Recently I built a customer personal computer. I have built it with the following specifications:

Operating System:
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1

CPU:
Intel Core i5 2500K @ 3.30GHz 40 °C
Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology

RAM:
16.0 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)

Motherboard:
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. Z68XP-UD3 (Socket 1155) 34 °C

Graphics:
S230HL (1920x1080@60Hz)
V203HV (1600x900@60Hz)
EVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 v2

Power Supplies:
Termaltake TR2 RX 750W
AX 11V V2.3 & EPS 12V 2.91
+12V Output
80 Plus Bronze

Hard Drives:
1465GB Seagate ST1500DL003-9VT16L ATA Device (SATA) 32 °C

Optical Drives:
ASUS DRW-24B1ST c ATA Device

Audio:
Realtek High Definition Audio

My question is... Can I support SLI with the above Motherboard? I know that my Graphics Card can Support it, but I am curious as to if I can support any of SLI. I noticed a very large difference in performance when I started gaming with my 1920x1080p Acer Monitor. Things seemed a lot more choppy, in a sense. So, I am looking to upgrade my Graphics System. I have no interest in spending more money on another Graphics Card and just letting this one go to waste.

Would SLI Support help me if I were to buy another Graphics Card that is the same model as the mentioned one above? Do I need a new Power Supplies to run SLI? What do I need besides another graphics card? Will it run a lot faster and smoother? What are the perks and cons?

I know I am asking a lot, but I have to start from somewhere. Someone, please give me an idea.

Thank you so much for your assistance and time, and thank you for sharing your knowledge,
Aaron

 

[Au_equus]

yes, you can sli with that MB but I would change out that PSU.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermaltake-TR2-RX-750-W-Power-Supply-Review/902/9

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

 

[iamaaron]

yes, you can sli with that MB but I would change out that PSU.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermaltake-TR2-RX-750-W-Power-Supply-Review/902/9

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

Hey au-eques!

Thank you so much for the links and reply. I see that this is a pretty dangerous Power Supply that I am running. Especially for SLI Support. Can I still run SLI with the two videos cards at the 750 Wattage or do I just generally need a new Power Supply, because of what hardwaresecrets.com specifies? Is there a specific Power Supply that you recommend?

Thank you for all of your help by the way!

Aaron

 

[Au_equus]

The gtx 460 (768 MB) in sli would pull about 433W, but if you're stressing the CPU also, you're looking to add ~100W.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-460-sli-review/15
The 12V rail (which your GPU runs off of) starts (or at least somewhere around) to fail under 77.9% load or 583W. You can run 2 gtx 460 in sli with a 750W or even only a 600-650 W psu. Yours may be able to run it, but for how long is anybody's guess. Way too risky, with that PSU IMO.
Here's a couple of recommended PSU's
PC P&C 600 W ($90, $70 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703036

Corsair TX650 ($90, $80 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

Seasonic 620W ($90)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095