How to disable one card

[spixelspixel]

I have two 570's in SLI and want to completely disable one of them when not using it to save some power. Is there any way to do this without having to remove the graphics card from the pci-e slot? I was thinking I could just take out the two pci-e power cables but would that be safe to do?

 

[Leeroy123]

Right click desktop , nvidia control panel. configure sli, disable sli.

 

[Orcvader]

So it fully shuts down the second card?

No... not possible... only way is taking the card out...

 

[Leeroy123]

If sli is disabled the system surely wont use the card. Ive just tried it and my 2nd card stayed on 0 percent load even when gaming.

 

[Orcvader]

The card is still on however in idle mode, so it still uses power.

 

[spixelspixel]

Yeah it still uses power with sli disabled.. what would happen if I just took out the two pci-e cables before powering on? I think I read somewhere that you shouldn't do that though (was a warning that came with a graphics card perhaps)

Obviously its too much hassle to take the card out every time, should be a feature that should be added to motherboards or maybe it already exists?

 

[Surveyor]

what would happen if I just took out the two pci-e cables before powering on? I think I read somewhere that you shouldn't do that though (was a warning that came with a graphics card perhaps)

I think the card would just sit there whining at you until you put them back in.

Do Nvidia cards still make a whining noise to remind you to plug in the power cables?