new SLI bridge to increase performance or looks? check it out

hobib_ali · 16 Dec 2015 at 00:16

so recieved this new 3 way SLI bridge, im using it for 2 way coz of the compatibilty.

So reviewing the actual product its states on the overclockers site:

High pixel clock design optimised for 4K+ and 120Hz+ gaming. reading this im thought my new sli set up needs this as im running on a 144hz monitor so the optimisation might make my gaming better

EVGA logo illuminates on select GeForce GTX graphics cards. this is a bonus as the led makes it look nicer than the default bridges

so i opened it up to have a look and under the shel was a sli bridge that looks exactly same as the default bridges, theres no extra chips or capacitors on there the bridge so what about the optimisation? and the high pixel stuff?

am i missing somthing or are these fancy SLI bridges just for looks ?

take a look at the pic:

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also my pc's wiring is very ugly, the gpu cables are very thick and stiff, cannot make it nice like the other PC's Ive seen, actually all of the wires are thick and stiff, its now impossible to fix it, only alternative is to get those new PSU, evga or corsair and buy a slimline cable pack, its gonna cost me 180 quid+ any other way to make it look neater? cheaper?

Meaker · 16 Dec 2015 at 01:15

The fancy SLI bridges are entirely cosmetic when compared to the regular ones.

VincentHanna · 16 Dec 2015 at 01:19

It's snake oil.

Nice looking snake oil

MagicBoy · 16 Dec 2015 at 01:24

It's as optimised as any other SLI bridge. They either meet the specification, or don't.

hobib_ali · 16 Dec 2015 at 02:56

MagicBoy said:
It's as optimised as any other SLI bridge. They either meet the specification, or don't.

hmmm so the "optimised for 4k and 120hz+ is a load of balls then? thats what it states on the product listing, £38 for looks then, wow

Dicehunter · 16 Dec 2015 at 03:48

hobib_ali said:
hmmm so the "optimised for 4k and 120hz+ is a load of balls then? thats what it states on the product listing, £38 for looks then, wow

Yep you just paid for the looks, All SLI are bridges are the same.

Honestly bud you could have gotten a basic SLI bridge that comes with many motherboards or even bought one of these and it would have been the exact same performance -

P4Clock · 16 Dec 2015 at 04:24

RMA....

AND tbf false advertising.

TheMorningStar · 16 Dec 2015 at 04:47

You know how some people pay £500 for a HDMI cable made from gold and exotic shielding materials even though it has no measurable difference to a £5 HDMI cable? This.

Klunt Bumskrint · 16 Dec 2015 at 06:29

It is strange how this is allowed as I'm pretty sure it's a straight lie. I saw it when I bought mine, I chuckled as I knew it was bollards but I bought for the aesthetics.

whyscotty · 16 Dec 2015 at 07:23

"Most (not all) of the previous gen SLI bridges run at a pixel clock of 400MHz, these new bridges run at 540MHz.
Can help improve compatibility in some games when you run really high refresh rates and/or resolutions.
Of course there are many variables there though like the application, resolution, refresh rate, etc.
In some cases you may see flickering or other abnormalities on a 400MHz bridge.
It's rare but I know some people have experienced it including myself on a OC'd catleap."

http://www.overclock.net/t/1550293/evga-new-pro-sli-bridges-v2/30#post_23774643

"I guess the wording may need to be clarified. It is the CAPABILITY to run a higher pixel clock.
The card dictates the pixel clock, these bridges can support a higher spec than previous gen versions, up to 540MHz.
Higher resolution and refresh rates require higher pixel clocks, often over 400mhz."

http://www.overclock.net/t/1550293/evga-new-pro-sli-bridges-v2/50#post_23775443

The above quotes are from Jacob@Evga

nashathedog · 16 Dec 2015 at 07:54

whyscotty said:
"Most (not all) of the previous gen SLI bridges run at a pixel clock of 400MHz, these new bridges run at 540MHz.
Can help improve compatibility in some games when you run really high refresh rates and/or resolutions.
Of course there are many variables there though like the application, resolution, refresh rate, etc.
In some cases you may see flickering or other abnormalities on a 400MHz bridge.
It's rare but I know some people have experienced it including myself on a OC'd catleap."

http://www.overclock.net/t/1550293/evga-new-pro-sli-bridges-v2/30#post_23774643

"I guess the wording may need to be clarified. It is the CAPABILITY to run a higher pixel clock.
The card dictates the pixel clock, these bridges can support a higher spec than previous gen versions, up to 540MHz.
Higher resolution and refresh rates require higher pixel clocks, often over 400mhz."

http://www.overclock.net/t/1550293/evga-new-pro-sli-bridges-v2/50#post_23775443

The above quotes are from Jacob@Evga

So basically there not telling an outright lie meaning they can get away with implying what they do.

Silent_Scone · 16 Dec 2015 at 08:02

You'd struggle to find a bridge that was limited to 400mhz these days. Although some may not be capable of 500+ which is what I've found myself. Symptoms will manifest in the form of strange artefacting and sometimes possibly but rarely instability

setter · 16 Dec 2015 at 08:10

Is that an msi X99 board ali and are you using slots 1 and 5? Got an msi board here and may go sli at some point, wondering is it ok to run sli in this configuration. Also got a three way evga sli bridge.

AgedIdiot · 16 Dec 2015 at 08:35

Do not want to start a war. - why have nvidia not done an Amd and got rid off the bridge?

? May be an architecture problem which they can do nothing about with current builds but I would hope that with pascal the bridge disappears.

£30 or more to make it something approaching aesthetically acceptable is an extra cost that one could do without.

Dicehunter · 16 Dec 2015 at 09:06

AgedIdiot said:
Do not want to start a war. - why have nvidia not done an Amd and got rid off the bridge?

? May be an architecture problem which they can do nothing about with current builds but I would hope that with pascal the bridge disappears.

£30 or more to make it something approaching aesthetically acceptable is an extra cost that one could do without.

I think it's purely because of cosmetics, Gotta admit SLI bridges can look quite cool

whyscotty · 16 Dec 2015 at 09:17

nashathedog said:
So basically there not telling an outright lie meaning they can get away with implying what they do.

All I know from first hand use was the Evga V2 bridge resolved a

few issues I was experiencing when I first got my 4K monitor.

So for me there was some limitation in some sli bridges.

Evga replaced my original bridge at their cost inc postage.

pastymuncher · 16 Dec 2015 at 10:26

With regards to your cables, you don't need to buy a new psu just to have nice cables on view. If you bought cable extensions that plug onto the ends of your current cables you get the best of both worlds. The only downside is that they make your cables longer so you have more cable to hide. Cable extensions are not psu specific and will fit any psu. See the range here.

VincentHanna · 16 Dec 2015 at 10:54

AFAIK there was an issue with the EVGA V1 bridges

That doesn't mean the SLI ribbon cables you get with motherboards are worse than the V2 though.

whyscotty · 16 Dec 2015 at 10:58

I had the same issues with 2 other non Evga bridges.

setter · 16 Dec 2015 at 11:02

The evga one I have is likely a v1 model as its different from the op's. Would be nice if it did work though should I go ski. One less thing to buy.