Crazy flickering issue with GTX 980 SC in SLI

[Cuzzin Chizzy]

So I just bought 2 EVGA GTX 980 Superclocked to run in SLI on my rig. My 670 FTWs were great cards, and worked fine in SLI but I just wanted a little more headroom and VRAM for next gen. BUT... since installing the 980's, every time I try to run a game in SLI mode there is mad flickering going on (almost like a strobe light).

My rig is:
CPU- i7 990x 3.46GHz
MB- ASUS Rampage III Formula X58
RAM- 24 GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 @1600MHz
GFX- 2 x GTX 980 SC 4GB in SLI
PSU- Ultra X4 1050 watt

I've tried a ton of things to solve this flickering issue.

• 
  Turning off SLI in Nvidia Control Panel gets rid of flicker but defeats the purpose of 2 cards
  
  Tried swapping cards PCIE x16 ports.
  
  Tested each 980 by itself, both work perfect.
  
  Tried cleaning the 980's sli connectors.
  
  Refit the 2-way SLI bridge that came with my ASUS motherboard and worked fine with the 670's
  in multiple orientations and upside down.
  
  Tried the 3-way SLI PCB bridge that also came with my ASUS board, also tried it upside down.
  
  Did a clean install of all Nvidia drivers (the latest 344.65)
  

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Now I don't know what else to try to fix this problem. All the places around here that sell an SLI bridges are closed for the day.


And for some reason my 3D vision quit working as well. When I go to the Nvidia Control Panel to enable the 3D it takes me to the 3D Vision setup wizard. It asks me to connect my IR receiver ( which is connected with LED light on) and click "NEXT".

The problem IS that the "NEXT" button does not highlight or allow me to select it..

I've been reading forums all over the place and still can't figure all this stuff out.

Some times I miss the simplicity of console gaming.


If anyone could help me figure out this conundrum, it would be appreciated to the highest degree.

 

[ImDaBaron]

First thing I thought of was power supply

 

[Cuzzin Chizzy]

First thing I thought of was power supply

The thought had crossed my mind.

But the PSU had no problems running 2 670s in SLI, and they actually use MORE power than the 980s.

 

[ImDaBaron]

Let me just point out the reviews are not good for that power supply. I would change that out and see what happens. Realistically your right it shouldnt have any issues running those two. But who knows...it may be dying.

 

[Cuzzin Chizzy]

Let me just point out the reviews are not good for that power supply. I would change that out and see what happens. Realistically your right it shouldnt have any issues running those two. But who knows...it may be dying.

Hell Yeah!!!!!!!! I fixed it!!!!!!!

I had already tested both cards so I knew they both worked.

Hadn't tested both slots though. Tried one card by itself on the bottom pice slot. Worked fine.

So I knew it wasn't the cards or the slots. Had to be my power supply or sli bridge.
Didn't think it was the PSU though since I haven't had any previous problems.

When I put the 2nd card back in I put the SLi bridge on the second connector instead of the first. SLI works!!!!!!! No flashing!!!! Smooth as butter!!!!!

Thought I had tried those connectors before but I guess I hadn't, or it wasn't seated well enough. I swear that I thought I tried every possible bridge combination, must of been being finicky. I haven't been able to really "use" my purchase for almost two weeks. I'm now excited!!!!!'
: )

Also as a side note.. the 3D Vision IR emitter does not work correctly on a USB 3.0 port.

I rearranged some USB devices when I was hooking my pc back up after installing the new cards, and plugged the emitter into a 3.0 port. I couldn't figure out why I wasn't able to setup 3D (couldn't click on NEXT in the setup wizard). But after plugging the emitter into a 2.0 port today, I'm happy to find that 3D vision is now enabled and working. SWEET!!!

 

[ImDaBaron]

Nice glad you got it working