SLI setup query

[lll_o_lll]

So i just upgraded my rig with 2 new evga gtx560TiDS. I'm new to the whole sli thing, so i've read through the forums and setup accordingly (i.e. enable 3D sli, alternate frame rendering, etc.) Side note: I found several opposing opinions on which gpu should be handling PhysX, so I experimented with it, and in benchmarked stress tests, it didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference.
My concern, however, is that gpu#2 tops out at about 56% load in aforementioned stress tests. yesterday, I had both cards maxed out. today, i disconnected sli bridge to rearrange my pci cards for better air flow (did not move either gpu) and now i'm out of whack. I feel like i'm missing something simple and obvious, so any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Maziar]

So your problem is the GPU load ? well,that's not a problem because the cards won't necessarily go up to 100%.
How's the performance in games ?
Also post your full system specs and the resolution you're playing on

 

[wa1]

^+1
Try some games to see it's performance and tell us your FULL specs...

 

[lll_o_lll]

Intel i7 26000@3.9GHz cooled by Antec 920 Kuhler, msi p67-gd65 MB, 16G Kingston hyperX (1600), Corsair Tx750W PSU, windows7 pro, and the 2 Gtx560's still base clocked (pro:900MHz, mem:2106) in 1920x1080 res. Gameplay has been fairly good. No issues with WoWarcraft; but Portal2 is another story, crashes everytime and always coincides with picking up a cube. I have yet to find a solution via Steam/Valve.

 

[Maziar]

Crashing could be the result of an unstable OC

 

[cps1974]

can you try with 8GB ram, tests Ive seen show you will lose around 1 fps with 16GB? might be worth it to see if you can narrow the problem

also check this...

"GeForce GTX 560 Ti in 2-way SLI

A second card requires you to add another ~175 Watts. You need a 700+ Watt power supply unit if you use it in a high-end system (800+ to a KiloWatt is recommended if you plan on any overclocking)."

now given that your 2600K is OC and both your cards are also OC (reference being 822/2016) this review would suggest you might require 800w - 1000w psu. take from...

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/14

have a read

to monitor the gpu temps are you using msi afterburner / cpuid hardware monitor / other? Can you replicate the problem and post the temperature findings before, during and after point of crash ?

cpuid hardware monitor is great if you have not used before

you have awesome cards/system btw, my i5-2500K (4.4GHz) and GTX 460 SLI (upto 930MHz) looks up with envy at your system lol


chaz

 

[Mousemonkey]

can you try with 8GB ram, tests Ive seen show you will lose around 1 fps with 16GB? might be worth it to see if you can narrow the problem

also check this...

"GeForce GTX 560 Ti in 2-way SLI

A second card requires you to add another ~175 Watts. You need a 700+ Watt power supply unit if you use it in a high-end system (800+ to a KiloWatt is recommended if you plan on any overclocking)."

now given that your 2600K is OC and both your cards are also OC (reference being 822/2016) this review would suggest you might require 800w - 1000w psu. take from...

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/14

have a read

to monitor the gpu temps are you using msi afterburner / cpuid hardware monitor / other? Can you replicate the problem and post the temperature findings before, during and after point of crash ?

cpuid hardware monitor is great if you have not used before

you have awesome cards/system btw, my i5-2500K (4.4GHz) and GTX 460 SLI (upto 930MHz) looks up with envy at your system lol


chaz

My 560 Ti's run at similar clockspeeds and I'm using a 620w PSU, 800w - 1000w is not a requirement.

 

[cps1974]

I did think as much mousemonkey, the manufacturers / reviewers are usually way OTT

just trying to throw as many things out there to try narrow it down - plus those corsair PSU look very good quality, the cards look great too

now, how about those temps?

chaz

 

[Mousemonkey]

I did think as much mousemonkey, the manufacturers / reviewers are usually way OTT

just trying to throw as many things out there to try narrow it down - plus those corsair PSU look very good quality, the cards look great too

now, how about those temps?

chaz

Who's temps?

 

[cps1974]

lol, the OP's temps

chaz

 

[lll_o_lll]

lol. thx cps and mousemonkey. gpu1 temps level out around 85-88*C at full load, gpu1 is usually 10* hotter the gpu2. 900/2106 is actually the base clock on this model, no OC there. I did find some posts on steam forum very similar to the portal2 crash prob. which may be corrupt/incomplete game file. If no luck there, i'll try cutting back on ram before addressing the psu. my first assumption was insufficient power as psu is definitely running at capacity, but i'll try the less costly possibilities first.
thx for the input guys.
much appreciated

 

[Mousemonkey]

lol. thx cps and mousemonkey. gpu1 temps level out around 85-88*C at full load, gpu1 is usually 10* hotter the gpu2. 900/2106 is actually the base clock on this model, no OC there. I did find some posts on steam forum very similar to the portal2 crash prob. which may be corrupt/incomplete game file. If no luck there, i'll try cutting back on ram before addressing the psu. my first assumption was insufficient power as psu is definitely running at capacity, but i'll try the less costly possibilities first.
thx for the input guys.
much appreciated

The 'base' clock of your cards is still an OC, the reference clock speed of the GTX560Ti is 822/1645/4008. Have you tried downclocking to the reference speeds?

 

[lll_o_lll]

Best answer selected by lll_o_lll.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey