Pairing GPU's with SLI:

[abbazamma]

So, I have just purchased an EVGA GTX 580 3GB for the guest computer in my room that I am making. I was also looking at an EVGA GTX 580 3GB Hydro Copper. Assuming I have the liquid cooling installed properly in my computer, theoretically would I be able to pair these two together and use SLI?

 

[Gam3r01]

As long as they are the same base chip (Ie 580 and 580, 760 and 760, 970 and 970 and so on) they will work together in SLI.

However, just know that the faster of the two cards will be slowed to match the slower of the two. This does not mean any incompatibility, and you can OC both cards to match.

I would recommend a single better card over a 580 SLI rig.

 

[IRONBATMAN]

For SLI to function properly, you need a decent Z97 or 990 chipset motherboard, 2 PCIe 16x slots , sufficient cooling, and a strong power supply. If you're using liquid cooling, I'm sure you would have covered the cooling part, but be sure that your motherboard and power supply is ideal for SLI.

 

[Mousemonkey]

For SLI to function properly, you need a decent Z97 or 990 chipset motherboard, 2 PCIe 16x slots , sufficient cooling, and a strong power supply. If you're using liquid cooling, I'm sure you would have covered the cooling part, but be sure that your motherboard and power supply is ideal for SLI.

I haven't got a Z97 chipset and yet my SLi'd GTX660Ti's appear to be functioning correctly.

 

[IRONBATMAN]

ah sorry, my comment wasn't very clear. SLI requires 2 physical PCIe 16x slots, but they can both be running at 8x mode. Thanks for letting me know @mouse