kelvin08113

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Jun 20, 2012
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Hi all,

I wanted to ask you all forumites some questions.

1. Can I connect 2 GPUs with SLI Bridge on a motherboard that doesn't support SLI Tech without using any software? eg. 2 GTX 550 Ti with M5a88-V EVO
2. Do I need to connect SLI Bridge on the 2 graphic cards on a motherboard that support SLI Tech? eg. 2 GTX 550 TI with SABERTOOTH Z77

Thanks.

Regards,
Kelvin♫
 
1. No.
2. Yes.

But, if you are planning on sli, read my canned rant on dual cards:

a) How good do you really need to be?
A single GTX560 or 6870 can give you great performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.

A single GTX560ti or 6950 will give you excellent performance at 1920 x 1200 in most games.
Even 2560 x 1600 will be good with lowered detail.
A single 7970 or GTX680 is about as good as it gets.

Only if you are looking at triple monitor gaming, then sli/cf will be needed.
Even that is now changing with triple monitor support on top end cards.

b) The costs for a single card are lower.
You require a less expensive motherboard; no need for sli/cf or multiple pci-e slots.
Even a ITX motherboard will do.

Your psu costs are less.
A GTX560ti needs a 450w psu, even a GTX580 only needs a 600w psu.
When you add another card to the mix, plan on adding 150-200w to your psu requirements.
A single more modern 28nm card like a 7970 or GTX680 needs only 550W.
Even the strongest GTX690 only needs 650w.

Case cooling becomes more of an issue with dual cards.
That means a more expensive case with more and stronger fans.
You will also look at more noise.

c) Dual cards do not always render their half of the display in sync, causing microstuttering. It is an annoying effect.
The benefit of higher benchmark fps can be offset, particularly with lower tier cards.
Read this: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995.html

d) dual card support is dependent on the driver. Not all games can benefit from dual cards.

e) cf/sli up front reduces your option to get another card for an upgrade. Not that I suggest you plan for that.
It will often be the case that replacing your current card with a newer gen card will offer a better upgrade path.
 

loops

Distinguished
Jan 6, 2012
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IT would be best to get a mobo that supports SLI. You simply plug in both cards, add power cable, then add the bridge. Fire up rig and go to the setting and enable SLI.

You can download MSI Afterburner to make sure both gpus are working.

Make sure you have a power supply able to run two cards as well.