Which card should be in Primary position when using a SLI connector

[bdrae]

Hello,
I have a NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT and a Nvida Quadro 3400 which card should be primary if I'm using a SLI connector with both cards?

 

[Kurz]

Are they able to be SLI'd together is my first question...

 

[faalin]

you cant sli those two cards together

 

[MauveCloud]

GeForce 6600 GT is NV43, Quadro FX 3400 is NV45GL, so they won't work together in SLI.

 

[ZippyPeanut]

You can only SLI exactly the same cards, ideally exact model and manufacturer.

 

[MauveCloud]

From what I've read, it's possible to SLI different cards if they use the same code name for the processor (the two the OP is considering don't), but same make and model is usually better.

 

[bdrae]

GeForce 6600 GT is NV43, Quadro FX 3400 is NV45GL, so they won't work together in SLI.

If I'm using AutoCAD software, Photoshop, and SketchUp as my primary graphics software would you get another 6600 or 3400 card, if there still out there. I saw that the 6600 is more for gaming and the 3400 is more for CAD? Thanks,

 

[Mousemonkey]

You can only SLI exactly the same cards, ideally exact model and manufacturer.

They have to have the same GPU's that have the same core count and if the memory is the same then that is better but they don't have to be from the same manufacturer or even have the same clockspeeds.

 

[ZippyPeanut]

Yes, I agree. But the operative word in my statement was "ideally." By SLIing cards of the exact model and maufacturer, you will minimize the possibility of microstuttering.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Yes, I agree. But the operative word in my statement was "ideally." By SLIing cards of the exact model and maufacturer, you will minimize the possibility of microstuttering.

Having used cards from different manufacturers in the past and not having any so called microstuttering I would have to disagree.

 

[ZippyPeanut]

Having used cards from different manufacturers in the past and not having any so called microstuttering I would have to disagree.

Yes. I beleive you. I just think that it is less risky to SLI exact models from the same manufacturer. Again, "ideally" is my nitpick, and I reiterate the phrase "minimize the possibility."

"For example, it is rather difficult to get two Nvidia cards obtained from different vendors, which deviate from the reference specification, to cooperate in SLI. From a pool of six different GeForce GTX 580 cards, only two would work together consistently. From a pool of five different GeForce GTX 570s, only three would. We had problems mixing clock rates, BIOSes, supporting platforms, and so on." http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995-15.html

In fact, ASRock's Extreme 4 owner's manual warns that exact models be used in SLI.

 

[bystander]

It is possible that the new GTX 600 series has helped in that regard. They have new hardware solutions to reduce inconsistent frame rates in SLI.

 

[Mousemonkey]

Yes. I beleive you. I just think that it is less risky to SLI exact models from the same manufacturer. Again, "ideally" is my nitpick, and I reiterate the phrase "minimize the possibility."

"For example, it is rather difficult to get two Nvidia cards obtained from different vendors, which deviate from the reference specification, to cooperate in SLI. From a pool of six different GeForce GTX 580 cards, only two would work together consistently. From a pool of five different GeForce GTX 570s, only three would. We had problems mixing clock rates, BIOSes, supporting platforms, and so on." http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995-15.html

In fact, ASRock's Extreme 4 owner's manual warns that exact models be used in SLI.

I understand where you coming from but I would like to point out that in your quote microstuttering is not mentioned.

 

[ZippyPeanut]

I understand where you coming from but I would like to point out that in your quote microstuttering is not mentioned.

Hi, Mousemonkey. I enjoy our conversation. Frank Zappa once said that one's mind is like a parachute: it doesn't work unless it's open. I like polite disagreements, because I so often learn from them--and I'm always open to the possibility of being wrong, especially here on Tom's with so many bright people.

The article is titled "CrossFire, SLI, And Micro-Stuttering." It's a very good article. The first page is here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-stutter-crossfire,2995-15.html

Live long and prosper.

 

[Mousemonkey]

I read the article two years ago when it came out and at the time I pointed out that microstuttering didn't seem to be able to be attributed to any one thing in particular nor was it something that every one experiences.