GTX 660 SLI Compatibility

[Ian Feldmann]

Hi, I am currently looking at upgrading to SLI as well as buying a second monitor. Firstly the GPU, I bought a limited time edition of the GTX 660 at Christmas, a 3gb Superclocked version of the GTX 660, since then this GPU has been taken off of the market place and I cannot find one that is the same for SLI. What would be the effect if I used my 3gb superclocked with a standard 2gb 660 or a superclocked one? Just to tell you i have never overclocked my graphics card though I think it came overclocked as this version. My other concern with SLI is that I have this motherboard which was originally marked as Crossfire compatible but no markings to say that it was SLI compatible.
Moving on, I am buying a second 27" 1080p monitor for multitasking as well as games like Civilization 5 and other games that dont require looking at the middle of the screen. I was wondering if anyone had input on the feasibility of running two 1080p screens with the one GTX660 as well as any suggestions for a stand for them that can also have them rotate to portrait (cannot be clamp). Thanks for the help everyone!

PS My brother has this GTX 660 so I should be able to test somewhat

 

[bignastyid]

For SLI the cards have to use the same gpu and same vram. You can't SLI a 2gb 660 with a 3Gb 660. That motherboard does not support SLI.

 

[Ian Feldmann]

Shit, thanks man

 

[Ian Feldmann]

Wait a minute

I found this from Nvidia
Can I mix and match graphics cards that have different GPUs?
No. For example, an XXXGT cannot be paired with a XXXGTX in an SLI configuration.

Can I mix and match graphics cards from different manufacturers?
Using 180 or later graphics drivers, NVIDIA graphics cards from different manufacturers can be used together in an SLI configuration. For example, a GeForce XXXGT from manufacturer ABC can be matched with a GeForce XXXGT from manufacturer XYZ.

Can I mix and match graphics cards if one of them is overclocked by the manufacturer?
Yes. A GeForce XXXX GTX that is overclocked can be mixed with a standard clocked GeForce XXXX GTX.

Can SLI technology work with one PCI Express board and one AGP 8X board or with PCI Express and PCI?
No. SLI technology is designed solely for PCI Express.

Can I install just one SLI-Ready graphics card in an SLI-Ready motherboard?
Yes, SLI-Ready motherboards can support any single PCI Express-based graphics card, so you can always start with one card now and upgrade to a complete SLI configuration at a later time. For the best experience and upgrade potential, make sure to buy an SLI-Ready graphics card and motherboard. Always look for the SLI-Ready logo on certified components.

Does SLI technology also work with four GPUs?
Yes. Quad SLI technology supports four GPUs in SLI mode.

Does SLI technology also work with three GPUs?
Yes, this is called 3-way NVIDIA SLI technology and it supports three GPUs in SLI mode.

When I configure two graphics cards in SLI mode, do the graphics cards work together to create double the memory size?
No. In SLI mode, each graphics card uses its own frame buffer memory to render a 3D application. The operating system will report a graphics card frame buffer memory size that is found on a single graphics board.


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look at the bold ones, this should mean that I can use a 2gb EVGA GTX 660 in SLI

 

[bignastyid]

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/469402/
" All GPUs must have the same amount of VRAM and an identical Bus Width
-- You cannot use a "2GB" version with a "4GB" version or "3GB" version with a "6GB" version in SLI or a 1GB 192 bit bus with a 1GB 256 bit bus Etc.
Note: It used to be possible to enable SLI on cards with differing VRAM but this is no longer available.
Note: In SLI the amount of usable VRAM does not stack. It works like a RAID1 hard disk array where data is mirrored between each GPU. For example, having 3 GPUs with 4GB VRAM means you will only have 4GB available, not 12GB."
Plus your motherboard doesn't support SLI so you'd need a new motherboard.

 

[Ian Feldmann]

Damn, oh well for that, anyone have suggestions for desk mounts for the monitors and the viability of the one 660 running it?

 

[bignastyid]

Monitor stand
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824185017&cm_re=monitor_stand-_-24-185-017-_-Product
Performance is going to depend on the game but a single 660 is going to struggle at 3840x1080.

 

[Ian Feldmann]

How about with games like Civilization and maybe Dota 2?

 

[bignastyid]

Those will probably run fine on a single 660.