GTX 680 sli - same cards better?

T

Tallpaulos

Enthusiast
Hi,

I've a base Palit GTX 680 and want to get another 2nd hand for SLI, but they are rare and it would be easier/cheaper to look for all models.

Any of you guys got mixed graphic cards in SLI? I.e. a palit 680 with a gainward 680 or something similar? Can you easily get them to cooperate if you get 2x 2gb cards for example?

I know it's possible but I don't know the limitations & don't want to jump in too deep! If it's going to be better to get two of the same card I'll wait a couple of months for more to hit the market 2nd hand (or the new ones to drop in price)

Ta.
 
T

Tallpaulos

Enthusiast
tom_gr7 said:
Have you checked eBay? Might be able to pick one up there.
Click to expand...

Yes, every few days...they are rare beasts so everyone must be fairly happy with them at present. One has just come up though.

Keynes - so, the VRAM needs to be the same (thanks), but I was thinking also about real world examples...have people ever had any weird issues mixing cards?
 
T

Tallpaulos

Enthusiast
So I did my research and got so excited that I crumbled....

Got a 2 month old MSI GeForce GTX 680 Twin Frozr III on the way. Going to SLI with my Palit GTX 680; people would appear to flash the bios so they are the same but that's more for overclocking & why the hell would I need to do that with 680's SLI'd?

The plan is to have the MSI card as the main card (i.e. at the top) because it runs quieter and cooler, which I assume will be better when using one or both cards..i.e. the MSI card can cope with the heat from the Palit below.

Got my fingers crossed that I won't have any horrible issues, I've read that MSI afterburner automatically clocks the cards to the same level. Failing that I can clock the MSI card to match the Palit.

If anyone has any thoughts/warning/ideas/things to watch out for regarding SLI'd cards...let me know!
 
tom_gr7

tom_gr7

Life Serving
Just to confirm, you are not buying a card that has been flashed are you? If so, I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

Hmm, I'd probably have the msi card in the lower slot. Although, you can try it in both orientations. Each time check the temps.
 
T

Tallpaulos

Enthusiast
No, the card is standard! I asked about that, she also said it hasn't been overclocked or anything and has hardly been used at all. We'll see....I am fully aware of the dangers of buying second hand. Out of interest, why do you think lower slot?
 
tom_gr7

tom_gr7

Life Serving
Tallpaulos said:
Out of interest, why do you think lower slot?
Click to expand...

well, the twin frozer has the double fan cooler, whereas the palit (presuming its the standard non jet stream model) will only have the single fan.

I think you will get good temps on the msi card if it is on the bottom. But you will need to check if the palit card is substantially hotter in this setup. and switch if required.

as you have the best case on the market, you could set you fans similar to mine (see pics) and you will get pretty good gpu temps. :)
 
T

Tallpaulos

Enthusiast
Ha, you got a great rig. My temps are pretty good with a custom fan profile - never go above 67c on the most intensive games (yes it is the standard Palit). I have added a couple of fans myself, on the removable panel, to blow right over the card but what with it not getting very hot anyway, I had no real reason to try different set ups.

I know it's obvious but I assume everything to the front and bottom blow in, and the fans to the back and top blow out?

I see you replaced the large noisy fan at the top (200mm is it?). Was thinking about doing the same - do you get an audible difference?

I didn't realise you had the same case as me, that's it now - be prepared for a million questions!
 
tom_gr7

tom_gr7

Life Serving
well I've got the window version, so i don't have any side fans. - it tends to disrupt the airflow.

yes, bottom/front intake and rear/top exhaust. Gives me a clean front to back airflow. Although, I have my top 140's off and bottom 120's off. I only turn them on when I'm gaming, as there isn't really a need to run them otherwise. It's pretty quiet actually, a bit noisy when all the fans are on... but if they are i'd be gaming anyway.

I also have the case fans on a fan controller, easier to control each "channel" than the standard case fan controller. And I don't like using the motherboard to control case fans. Or CPU fans for that matter - but its the only option for an air cooler.

I never even tried the stock fans, installed my Akasa vipers in straight away :) sold the stock fans for a few bob on ebay.

lol, i'm fine with the questions. Fire away :)
 
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