SLI 460s issue

[Phenomenologica]

I obtained a second GTX460 the other day and today found the cables required to hook them up in SLI. Both cards work perfectly on their own, but when combined in SLI I get artifacting in 3D mark/heaven benchmark. They look like green/red flickering patches around the edges of objects. The only thing I can think of is it's my PSU, but it's a 600W OCZ and from what I can find online that should just about be beefy enough, considering neither card is currently overclocked. Is there a driver issue that could be causing this or is it definitely the supply? I'm having to use a couple of molex to PCIe adapters so that could be contributing.

If it's probably the power supply, I'm thinking this fellow. Should be more than powerful enough, good reviews, modular, good efficiency figures. Any objections?

 

[Cleeecooo]

A new PSU might help - if not, just DSR it

 

[biuro74]

And what are the GPU temps ? Usually card #1 is about 10 deg. hoter. I'm not sure about SLI bridge if it's really needed for SLIing (maybe it's required for extra bandwidth in high res & big AA modes, anyway.. I didn't need it with my previous 2xGTS 250 SLI) - so pull it out, maybe there's something wrong with that bridge.

 

[ChrisGTL]

Have you got one of them watt meters that measures household appliance energy consumption?

 

[ChrisGTL]

Infact, you are running a similar setup to me, let me hammer my system and I'll tell you how many watts its using.

 

[ChrisGTL]

100% 2500k 4.4Ghz @ 1.24v

100% 460GTX SLI 700Mhz @ 1.025v

= 395watts

Not sure how accurate these Watt meters are.

& 125watts idle

 

[Phenomenologica]

And what are the GPU temps ? Usually card #1 is about 10 deg. hoter. I'm not sure about SLI bridge if it's really needed for SLIing (maybe it's required for extra bandwidth in high res & big AA modes, anyway.. I didn't need it with my previous 2xGTS 250 SLI) - so pull it out, maybe there's something wrong with that bridge.

Temperatures are fine, both ran at about the same temperature well within operational range (I've got a side fan blowing straight at them). No errors or anything, good frame rates, just nasty artifacting.

Have you got one of them watt meters that measures household appliance energy consumption?

100% 2500k 4.4Ghz @ 1.24v

100% 460GTX SLI 700Mhz @ 1.025v

= 395watts

I've got one arriving tomorrow yea, and your system is about what I expected mine to pull. It seems unlikely it would be the PSU.

 

[Phenomenologica]

Solved the bugger! Turns out my SLI bridge is springing out too much and giving an intermittent connection. If I hold it down all is dandy. I just need to find a way to secure it! Thanks for the advice all.

 

[Reaper 392]

Solved the bugger! Turns out my SLI bridge is springing out too much and giving an intermittent connection. If I hold it down all is dandy. I just need to find a way to secure it! Thanks for the advice all.

string and a bit of tape would be a simple and free solution. not pretty, but it would be fine for now

 

[feck]

Hi mate,
I have similar probs,also with 460 SLI.Even upgraded to a 1000W OCZ UK PSU. Was getting small artifacts,Kernel driver crashes and recoveries and stability issues.Reinstalled drivers several times,swapped cards around etc but still problems.Have OC Ultima Viper system with cooling and 4.00GB overclock.Decent system only 7 months old.Cannot find problem.Back to running single 460 with no problems at all.Flippin' annoying.

 

[Phenomenologica]

string and a bit of tape would be a simple and free solution. not pretty, but it would be fine for now

Yea I ended up using a cable tie, does the job!

Hi mate,
I have similar probs,also with 460 SLI.Even upgraded to a 1000W OCZ UK PSU. Was getting small artifacts,Kernel driver crashes and recoveries and stability issues.Reinstalled drivers several times,swapped cards around etc but still problems.Have OC Ultima Viper system with cooling and 4.00GB overclock.Decent system only 7 months old.Cannot find problem.Back to running single 460 with no problems at all.Flippin' annoying.

Have you checked it wasn't what I experienced with the SLI cable being loose?

 

[feck]

@Phenom
I'll give it a go at the weekend, mate and post results. Too tired to do it now. My GPUs have been in and out more times than Jordans boyfriends.