Cannot Enable SLI with 2 Geforce 970s & GA-Z97X-Gaming 5

[Leminnes]

I have tried everything I could find in every thread I have found. First, here is my dxdiag info:

http://www.pastebucket.com/98426

& GPU-Z of both Cards:

http://imgur.com/a/jOi3S

So what I have tried:

Switching cards in their slots.
Removing my wireless card and putting it back.
Uninstalling the GPU driver with DDU and reinstalling it.
Switching cards again after that.
Removing the bridge before reinstalling the driver
Switching the PCIe mode from Auto to Gen 3
Disabling the CPU graphics
Using a different SLI bridge
Using different SLI, uh, ports (each card has 2 ports that the bridge can be plugged into, I switched it back and forth a lot.)

At this point, I have no idea what to do. I have a SLI capable Motherboard, both cards are identical outside of brand-name. My PSU should be plenty powerful to power both of them. I'm really at a loss here.

Edit: Also just tried DifferentSLIAuto and that didn't work either.

Edit: Also just found this: https://www.evga.com/support/faq/afmviewfaq.aspx?faqid=59534
Not sure if that effects my card working with the MSI, but if it does that would be incredibly irritating.

 

[rcald2000]

What is the precise model of the EVGA GTX 970? The reason that I ask is that there is an issue with certain styles of EVGA GTX 970's not having compatibility with other styles. What I never looked into, is how this issue affects SLI compatibility with other vendor's GTX 970 cards. Please let me know. I honestly don't know what's causing your issue, so I'm grasping at straws. Hopefully, someone else will chime in with a better grasp of your issue.

*** EVGA GTX 970 and SLI ***
https://www.evga.com/support/faq/afmviewfaq.aspx?faqid=59534

 

[Leminnes]

Haha, I just found that FAQ. It is this card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487076

If that ends up being the case, I am going to flip a shit. I've had so many problems with this EVGA card. It has given me an immense amount of buyers remorse.

 

[imrazor]

First suggestion: Make sure that the one of your cards is not in the bottom most PCIe slot. Even though it's physically x16, it only supports x4 data transfers, making it unsuitable for SLI. Also check to make sure "Maximize 3d Performance" is selected in the NVIdia control panel.

 

[rcald2000]

What is the precise version of MSI card? I should have asked you that in my original reply. My bad. By the way, what is the precise manufacturer and model numer of your PSU?

 

[Leminnes]

What is the precise version of MSI card? I should have asked you that in my original reply. My bad. By the way, what is the precise manufacturer and model numer of your PSU?

It was in my reply to you. It's "04G-P4-2974-KR"

First suggestion: Make sure that the one of your cards is not in the bottom most PCIe slot. Even though it's physically x16, it only supports x4 data transfers, making it unsuitable for SLI. Also check to make sure "Maximize 3d Performance" is selected in the NVIdia control panel.

Yup, it's in the second slot. And I can't even click Maximize 3D Performance. It is grayed out.

 

[rcald2000]

@Leminnes, That's the EVGA card model. But what is the precise model of MSI card? Also, what is the manufacturer and model # of your power supply?

 

[Leminnes]

@Leminnes, That's the EVGA card model. But what is the precise model of MSI card? Also, what is the manufacturer and model # of your power supply?

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood. It is this:

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GTX-970-GAMING-4G/dp/B00NN0GEXQ

And this is my PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438017

 

[rcald2000]

Okay. Power supply is very unlikely to be the cause. FYI: EVGA G2's are some of my favorite models of PSU.

SLI compatibility: I just got off the phone with EVGA support on behalf of your issue. While they acknowledge the SLI incompatibility across their own three styles of blowers on their own GTX 970's, they couldn't definitively state if that's what's causing your specific issue. They acknowledge "its possible", but they said they couldn't be definitive until you call in directly to troubleshoot with them. I suggest that you do that as well. If you wouldn't mind, I'd ask that you please update this thread with any findings. They are open 24 hours, so you might as well give them a quick call. It only took me 10 seconds to get through to them over the phone.

EVGA support: (888) 880-3842 option 1, 1

 

[Leminnes]

Okay. Power supply is very unlikely to be the cause. FYI: EVGA G2's are some of my favorite models of PSU.

SLI compatibility: I just got off the phone with EVGA support on behalf of your issue. While they acknowledge the SLI incompatibility across their own three styles of blowers on their own GTX 970's, they couldn't definitively state if that's what's causing your specific issue. They acknowledge "its possible", but they said they couldn't be definitive until you call in directly to troubleshoot with them. I suggest that you do that as well. If you wouldn't mind, I'd ask that you please update this thread with any findings. They are open 24 hours, so you might as well give them a quick call. It only took me 10 seconds to get through to them over the phone.

EVGA support: (888) 880-3842 option 1, 1

Alright, will do. Thanks much rcald2000!

 

[Leminnes]

Alright, just got off the phone with them.

It seems this model EVGA 970, specifically the 2000 series cards, have multiple compatibility issues with other 970 cards from other manufacturers.

So it seems I'm out of luck.

The 3000 series EVGA 970 cards do not have this problem.

 

[rcald2000]

I'm so sorry man. That really blows. I was honestly hoping that I was wrong. So how are you going to proceed?

 

[rcald2000]

Here is an idea. Whichever GTX 970 you just purchased, simply return it for a full refund. Then sell the other GTX 970 on Ebay. Then purchase a single GTX 980 Ti from NewEgg. It's a great card and is equivalent to two 970's in SLI.

 

[Leminnes]

Here is an idea. Whichever GTX 970 you just purchased, simply return it for a full refund. Then sell the other GTX 970 on Ebay. Then purchase a single GTX 980 Ti from NewEgg. It's a great card and is equivalent to two 970's in SLI.

I've seriously thought about that. I may go that route.

I also have a roommate that is attempting to build a computer and I may sell it to them.

We'll see, I suppose.

Also, would you mind quoting my "answer" post so I can mark it as the answer for the thread?