SLI issues

**gnar_killing** · 12-15-09, 02:47 AM

I'm trying to SLI two nv 8800GT. They are of different manufactures but I was told that doesn't matter so long as they are the same clock speed which they are. I have downloaded all the drivers I believe. But when i got into the Nvida control panel there are no advanced features. Just the basic information. Any one know how I can get it to where I have the SLI feature in the control panel? And yes I have clicked on the advanced features button but nothing extra pops up. Any help would be great thanks. Ill post my specs.

Windows 7
Q6600 Quad core
4BG DDR2
2 X nv 8800GT
2 x 500GB 7200

Any help would be great thanks.

**Kanati** · 12-15-09, 10:55 AM

download GPU-Z and see if it is reporting both cards.

Make sure both cards are running the same driver in device manager. Sometimes installing the driver for one does not update the other and you have to manually do it. I had that issue with IDENTICAL 7800GTXs a while back, and again with the 4890/4850X2 setup I have now.

You don't have to have the same clock speed either. The higher clock speed card will simply downclock to match the slower speed one.

That's all I got right now...

**HeavyG** · 12-15-09, 10:49 PM

I thought that SLI had to have identical cards, unlike CrossfireX which allows different cards. Maybe this has changed, but it was a big selling point for Crossfire when it came out.

**scoot** · 12-15-09, 10:53 PM

I had the same issue with 2 9600 GSO's. I installed the newest driver and still didn't find the advanced section. What I did to fix it was put them in one at a time. At first I just put both of them in, connected them and it wouldn't work. So give that a try. Do one, turn it on make sure you have the newest driver and then turn it off and plug the second one in and everything.

**gnar_killing** · 12-15-09, 11:08 PM

Cool thanks guys I'll try that out and see what happens.

**vectus** · 12-15-09, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by HeavyG

I thought that SLI had to have identical cards, unlike CrossfireX which allows different cards. Maybe this has changed, but it was a big selling point for Crossfire when it came out.

The cards have to be the same model. I do not believe the manufacturer has anything to do with it since they use the same chipset. The clock speed is also irrelevant as it automatically returns each card to the recommended clock speed from NVIDIA when you enter SLI mode.

At least this was true in my experience.

**gnar_killing** · 12-15-09, 11:15 PM

Alex you dont even know what a computer is shut your mouth! haha jk. but for real fix my shit this is annoying.

**Kanati** · 12-16-09, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by vectus

Originally Posted by HeavyG

I thought that SLI had to have identical cards, unlike CrossfireX which allows different cards. Maybe this has changed, but it was a big selling point for Crossfire when it came out.

The cards have to be the same model. I do not believe the manufacturer has anything to do with it since they use the same chipset. The clock speed is also irrelevant as it automatically returns each card to the recommended clock speed from NVIDIA when you enter SLI mode.

At least this was true in my experience.

Yeah that used to be the case waaaay back when. They USED to be required to be the same manufacturer and speed etc... But that's changed. As long as it's the same chipset you are golden. Even speed is irrelevant. It doesn't take it back to recommended clock speed from NVIDIA but it does match each card to the slowest speed card.

With ATI you don't even need the same chipset. I have a 4850X2 matched with a 4890 in my box. The 4890 is just clocked down to the speed I have the 4850's set to.

Installing the cards one at a time is a good method as well and almost guaranteed to work barring any hardware failure of the cards itself. My other method should work, but it's a bit more finicky than forcing the hardware to be redetected entirely.