If you like playing games on your computer, you may want to make your games look beautiful and perform fast. One of the core components of a gaming computer is the graphics card, and with an nVidia graphics card, you can connect two or more of the same card to drastically improve system performance. The method? Just read this article!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Installing the Graphics Card
Step 1. Make sure the operating system you are using supports SLI
Two-card SLI works on Windows Vista, 7, 8, and Linux, while three- and four-card SLI works on Windows Vista, 7, and 8 only.
Step 2. Check for existing components
To use SLI, you must have a motherboard with multiple PCI Express slots, and a power supply with enough connectors for multiple graphics cards. You may need a power supply with an output of at least 800W.
- Some graphics cards allow you to use four cards at once in SLI mode, but most cards are designed for two-card SLI.
- The more graphics cards you use, the more power you will need.
Step 3. Purchase a graphics card with SLI support
Most current Nvidia graphics cards can be installed in an SLI configuration. Purchase at least two graphics cards of the same type and amount of memory for SLI use.
- You don't need to buy both graphics cards from the same brand. However, make sure the type and amount of memory are the same.
- You can still run SLI on two cards at different speeds, but the performance may not be as good as if you were using SLI with two cards of the same speed.
- For best results, use two identical graphics cards.
Step 4. Install the graphics card in the PCI Express slot on your motherboard as usual
Make sure you don't break the tabs on the case, or install the card in an odd position. After the graphics card is inserted, secure the card position with the nut.
Step 5. Install the SLI bridge on the top of the graphics card
Most graphics cards that support SLI include an SLI bridge, which connects the graphics card and allows the cards to communicate, in their sales packages.
Bridges are not always required for IDD installations. If no bridge is found, the SLI connection will be made through the PCI slot, resulting in reduced performance
Method 2 of 3: Setting up IDD
Step 1. Turn on the computer
Once the graphics card is installed, close the computer case, and then restart the computer. You don't need to change any settings until you start Windows or Linux.
Step 2. Install the graphics card driver
Your operating system will detect the graphics card automatically, and try to install the driver. The driver installation process may take longer than the driver installation for a single graphics card, because drivers need to be installed for both graphics cards.
If the driver installation does not start automatically, download the driver from the nVidia site, and once the file has finished downloading, run the file
Step 3. Enable IDD
After the driver installation is complete, right-click your desktop and select nVidia Control Panel. A new window that will allow you to adjust the graphics settings will appear. Find the Configure SLI, Surround, Physx options.
- Select the Maximize 3D performance option, then click Apply.
- Your screen will flash several times while the computer is setting up SLI. You will be asked to save the settings.
- If you cannot find the options above, the system may not be able to read one or more of your graphics cards. Open Device Manager in Control Panel and check if all graphics cards appear under Display Adapters. If your graphics card does not appear, check that the graphics card is properly connected, and that the drivers are installed properly.
Step 4. Turn on SLI by clicking Manage 3D Settings in the left menu
In the Global Settings menu, scroll until you find the SLI Performance Mode entry. Change the Single GPU option to Alternate Frame Rendering 2 to enable SLI across programs.
You can adjust the SLI settings for a specific game by clicking the Program Settings tab, then selecting SLI Performance Mode
Method 3 of 3: Testing Performance
Step 1. Enable frames per second display
The options for enabling this view vary depending on the game you're using, so you'll need to look for the guides according to the game. Frames per second is a basic calculation of computer performance, and can show how well a game is processing. Most computer game lovers want a display of at least 60 FPS with high settings.
Step 2. Enable the IDD visual indicator
In the nVidia Control Panel, open the 3D Settings menu. then enable the Show SLI Visual Indicators option. A bar will appear in the right corner of the screen.
