SLI not an option in Nvidia Control Panel

[RoyMi6]

Just taken delivery of my second GTX980 and I'm having a bit of trouble.

First time setting up SLI so nothing is too obvious to mention.

Got it all plugged in with the SLI Bridge:

Device manager sees both cards:

First time using MSI afterbuner (never overclocked before but since one is stock and one is a superclocked EVGA I figured I might get them both in line) but it sees both cards:

But the one place I think I'm meant to see the option to enable SLI, I don't...

I uninstalled via programs and features all the drivers before re-installing them again. Any other tricks I can try? Do I need to change a setting in my BIOS? Do I need to make sure the SLI bridge is on the correct way? Literally nothing is too simple for me to check as like I say, I've not done this before.

 

[RoyMi6]

Possibly a daft question, but does your MB support SLI?

Not at all! This is exactly the type of thing that I'll miss so more suggetions like this!

However, yes, it's this mobo (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-272-MS) and the SLI bridge came with it.

 

[RoyMi6]

Not going to believe this - but looks like I've got to use the top two slots as moving the bottom card up to the middle slot (and removing the SLI breatable backplate bit) it's suddenly working with SLI.

Considering my desktops went all black like some drivers were being reinstalled I think this might actually only be working because it's picking up a new card and thus did a fresh install of it's own drivers for this "new" device.

At least I've got it working so I can try things out and know the hardware's all good.

Maybe over the weekend I'll get a chance to try completely removing ALL drivers but for the moment I'm going to try some games

 

[RoyMi6]

Aye, sorry, obviously you guys are so amazing at replying and I obviously can't see what's going on while I was looking at BIOS settings etc.

But yeah, came to the same conclusion as Nelly from the manual but then figured it might be worth a try in the different slots.

Oh well, more time for gaming if I don't have to fart around changing hardware again!

Cheers guys, amazing as always!

 

[RoyMi6]

Here is your answer....

(16, 0, 0), (8, 8, 0), (8, 4, 4)

You have the cards in the 1st and 3rd slots. Move the 2nd card to the 2nd PCI-E slot, SLI needs x8 x8 mininum.

I hate that board whoever designed it needs whipping with a teachers cane, it's the most expensive, but the Gaming 7, and 5 have better layouts for SLI i.e. More spacing!

Actually, I'm quite annoyed at this. Looking at all the specs etc before buying I thought I was buying the Gaming 9 as in addition to WiFi (which I need as I use it as a demonstrator rigs at various events) I thought it had everything I needed.

Seems like a pretty stupid design... Live and learn though!

 

[RoyMi6]

There are removable bits on the backplates to help the cards breath when they are right up against each other.

This is important, nVidia spec says you need to remove this bit for two cards next to each other.

Already done but good advice to highlight none the less!

Not going to believe this - but looks like I've got to use the top two slots as moving the bottom card up to the middle slot (and removing the SLI breathable backplate bit) it's suddenly working with SLI.