SLI question

[mattup]

Hi all.

Can you sli two 580's that have different amounts of Vram?

If you can, are there any benefits?

Matt

 

[ANN1H1LAT0R]

You can but games will only use the lower amount of RAM even on the card with a higher amount of RAM. In effect the system equals the cards out so you'll have the power of SL'i but lose the added benefit of extra RAM on onew of the cards. Whats games and resolutions are you playing for a better idea of what your doing?

 

[Surveyor]

As I understand it SLI isn't supported at all for cards with different amounts of VRAM.

From another furum:

Question:

Can I mix and match graphics cards with different sizes of memory?

Answer:

Originally Posted by Administrator of NVIDIA forums

No, not anymore. This requirement has been re-enforced by driver compatibility limitations within the last few years, so unlike you could do back when SLI was new to NVIDIA's list of technologies, graphics memory must be matched in size between clustered devices.

 

[ANN1H1LAT0R]

As I understand it SLI isn't supported at all for cards with different amounts of VRAM.

From another furum:

Question:



Answer:

Ah my bad thanks for saving my failing advice haha. My wisdon would have been wise a few years ago lol

 

[stulid]

FAQ's need updating,

USA site,
http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/Technologies/sli/faq#c19

Can I mix and match graphics cards with different sizes of memory?

When purchasing a second graphics card, you should try to match the memory size so that you are ensured full value and performance from your purchase. However, while it is not recommended, NVIDIA does offer the flexibility to run graphics cards with different sized memory by using CoolBits. Using CoolBits (value set to 18), you can force both of the cards to use the lower of the two memory sizes and operate them together in SLI mode. When dissimilar memory sizes are enabled to work together using CoolBits, the effective memory size for each card becomes the smaller of the memory sizes.

UK,
http://uk.geforce.com/hardware/technology/sli/faq#c19

Can I mix and match graphics cards with different sizes of memory?

No. For example, an XXXGT 512MB cannot be paired with a XXXGT 1GB in an SLI configuration.

Coolbits hasnt been used for ages.

 

[rossiboy001]

Been studying that comparrison site cheers , very handy , will spend some time on that , 560ti would be cheaper to run , give better than 1x6970 , on the other hand 2x6970 would be a monster setup , though 91 degrees in furmark, confirms the issues i thought .

 

[ALXAndy]

I used coolbits a while back with mismatched 8800 GTS. Worked a treat