"SLI Connector Is Missing" - Cannot enable SLI with 2 different brand of cards, please Help!

[zolah]

Hello, been having this issue for some time now, have had it working before a while back when I had taken my PC to Canada Computers, but a little while after I had downloaded new drivers and it reverted back immediately. I can say one thing is for certain, its a registry/driver issue of some sort, tbh this is a little over my head and need someone to walk me through how to fix this properly so if and when it happens I can fix this by myself. I'll copy & paste the links below for more info on the issue and other forums I've been browsing.

Any help is greatly appreciated


My Specs:

Operating System
Windows 8.1 64-bit
CPU
AMD FX-8350 26 °C
Vishera 32nm Technology
RAM
16.0GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 669MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. 990FXA-UD3 (CPU 1) 34 °C
Graphics
23MP75 (1920x1080@60Hz)
4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (Gigabyte) 32 °C
4095MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 (EVGA) 41 °C
ForceWare version: 353.30
SLI Disabled
Storage
931GB Seagate ST1000DM 003-1CH162 SATA Disk Device (SATA) 35 °C
111GB Samsung SSD 840 EVO 120GB (SSD) 32 °C
Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH16NS40
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio



Links I've Browsed So Far:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2680417/sli-working-branded-gtx970-cards.html

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/sli-with-different-cards.158907/

http://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/302qbu/unable_to_enable_sli_computer_not_recognizing_sli/

 

[Darkbreeze]

I'd start by doing a clean driver install using the Wagnard tools Display driver uninstaller then RE-install the latest drivers. Follow the instructions in the clean drivers section here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2492424/laymans-simple-guide-solving-graphics-card-issues.html

 

[bystander]

Is the SLI bridge installed?

 

[clonazepam]

Well I would steer clear of their latest drivers. I'd go with their 347.88 drivers. (at least to start with to rule out other potential problems)

Also, I lost count how many bad SLI ribbon connectors I've had. It's possible.

Which slots do you have the cards put in? Two of them are clearly labeled as PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX16_2. If you have one in a X4 slot, SLI won't be available.

 

[zolah]

Well I would steer clear of their latest drivers. I'd go with their 347.88 drivers. (at least to start with to rule out other potential problems)

Also, I lost count how many bad SLI ribbon connectors I've had. It's possible.

Which slots do you have the cards put in? Two of them are clearly labeled as PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX16_2. If you have one in a X4 slot, SLI won't be available.

The setup is the exact same way I had it when it was working so I can out rule that, however you bring up a very good point, when my SLI stopped working, it was immediately after my driver update and 100% related, I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. Good Tip, going to give this a shot now!

 

[zolah]

Is the SLI bridge installed?

Yes it is.

 

[clonazepam]

Well I would steer clear of their latest drivers. I'd go with their 347.88 drivers. (at least to start with to rule out other potential problems)

Also, I lost count how many bad SLI ribbon connectors I've had. It's possible.

Which slots do you have the cards put in? Two of them are clearly labeled as PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX16_2. If you have one in a X4 slot, SLI won't be available.

The setup is the exact same way I had it when it was working so I can out rule that, however you bring up a very good point, when my SLI stopped working, it was immediately after my driver update and 100% related, I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier. Good Tip, going to give this a shot now!

Been doing line by line comparisons of 347.88, 353.06, 353.30, and the beta 353.38, as well as logging the installs of each to troubleshoot my own issues with the latest drivers. I'm not going to say I understand it all lol, but they are very different. Long story short, after installing 353.30 or 353.38 and my card might as well be a brick. Sticking with 347.88 and up to 353.06 and everything is as right as rain. YMMV.

 

[bystander]

If the link here is true: http://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/302qbu/unable_to_enable_sli_computer_not_recognizing_sli/
then you may not be able to properly get it to work, and the shop you took it took probably used the PCIe work around, which doesn't give full performance. This is assuming that link was giving proper information. Installing new drivers likely disabled the work around.

Apparently there are 3 versions of the card, and they don't work together.
https://www.evga.com/support/faq/afmviewfaq.aspx?faqid=59534

 

[zolah]

If the link here is true: http://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/302qbu/unable_to_enable_sli_computer_not_recognizing_sli/
then you may not be able to properly get it to work, and the shop you took it took probably used the PCIe work around, which doesn't give full performance. This is assuming that link was giving proper information. Installing new drivers likely disabled the work around.

Apparently there are 3 versions of the card, and they don't work together.
https://www.evga.com/support/faq/afmviewfaq.aspx?faqid=59534

I believe you are 100% right, that makes sense now because when I did a clean install everything went to shit. Well I was unaware of the cards simply not actually working at all together without the workaround, makes perfect sense now that the last hour of me trying 8 different driver versions did sweet <mod edit> all! Least I can put this one to bed now.

Thanks!

 

[Darkbreeze]

While that's possible, it's also possible that it's something else, and knowing the exact models of both those cards would be the best way to determine it. Also, keep the language in check. This is a family oriented site, and we don't appreciate the use of expletives here.