SLI is not working/ GPUs not reaching full load during gameplay

[David Li]

Hello, all,

I am running 2 way SLI GTX670 4GB, overclocked to 1200 mhz.

I don't know what happened, and I'm pretty sure I didn't change any settings, but I haven't gotten any maximum load out of my GPUs in games. I average at about 50% load per GPU, 50% power consumption, and 50 degrees in Battlefield 3, and about 70% usage and power consumption but only 60 degrees in Crysis 3. I am receiving poor framerates. What's interesting is that lowering my gameplay settings hasn't helped in the least bit. I don't gain any frames. I benched marked Crysis 3 at the same settings (medium preset) with SLI disabled, and got the same framerate that I usually do with with my poor SLI usage.

Things I have done: Clean install all drivers
Make sure I have updated Motherboard/ Audio drivers
Deleted all Nvidia inspector/ 3D settings profiles.
Tried console commands and autoexec tweaks.

I ran a Heaven benchmark, and got 99% usage on both of my graphics cards.

file:///C:/Users/David/Documents/Unigine_Heaven_Benchmark_4.0_20130413_2306.html

What is going on? Both GPUs are less than 2 months old!

 

[17seconds]

50% GPU usage is a symptom of an underpowered CPU bottlenecking your high-end SLI cards. What kind of CPU do you have?

 

[David Li]

50% GPU usage is a symptom of an underpowered CPU bottlenecking your high-end SLI cards. What kind of CPU do you have?

Intel i7 3770 (no K) on closed loop Corsair H60

I checked my temps: load gets them to 50-55

 

[David Li]

Update: I've tried some game

I've maximized the power usage in the Nvidia control panel.

I've done the disable, reenable, restart test.

I have an intel i7 3770 (nonk) on closed loop liquid, and I only hit 55 on any core at load.

Running a few games, I hit max usage and 61fps average on a whole mission of Crysis 3 single player, everything on maximum, 1080p, 2x MGPU SMAA, no motion blur or lens flare. I got 95-99% usage with dips into the 80s.

Crysis 3 multiplayer, same deal, but 55 fps. Running my medium across the board settings, I get 100 fps, but I still don't reach max usage, only getting 65-70%. I never go above 65 degrees, even overclocking to 1200 mhz

Battlefield 3, I get 80-90 fps average, depending on the map, 64 player, Ultra with no AA. But I get massive frame crashes to 50 at times

Gpus at 50% usage, temps at 50 degrees

I tried Far Cry 3, and I get 99% IN THE MENUS. While gaming, single and multiplayer, using the ultra preset with 2x msaa, I get frames in the 45s. But only 55% both gpu usage.

Really, I don't wan to sound elitist, but If I wanted to play at 30 frames, I'd play on Xbox...

120 fps is important because I use a 120hz refresh rate monitor.

I'm copy-pasting the Heaven Benchmark (all max no AA, my usual gaming setup)

Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0

FPS:
76.4
Score:
1924
Min FPS:
8.7
Max FPS:
180.5
System

Platform:
Windows NT 6.2 (build 9200) 64bit
CPU model:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz (3502MHz) x4
GPU model:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 9.18.13.1422 (4095MB) x2
Settings

Render:
Direct3D11
Mode:
1920x1080 fullscreen
Preset
Custom
Quality
Ultra
Tessellation:
Extreme