Can you SLI Different cards?

McGrace · 11-25-11, 05:07 PM

Hi guys,

I understand there is probably an answer for this in several places already here. I am only asking without the super ten hour search, reading, and understanding session because of a Black Friday deal.

I have nVidia GT 430 already, and wonder if I get another one from another brand if I can still SLI them. Most importantly, I want to have more outputs for HDMI available.

Thanks!

thideras · 11-25-11, 05:24 PM

As long as they are the same core and memory quantity, then it will be fine. Brands don't matter.

McGrace · 11-25-11, 05:25 PM

Sorry, to clarify, even if I can't SLI can I use a second video card to throw on extra monitors?

(I again apologize if this wastes your time and appreciate any help.)

thideras · 11-25-11, 05:27 PM

Yes, if you aren't running them in SLi, it does not matter. I would suggest staying with an nVidia card, though. Adding ATI into the mix would not be fun.

ssjwizard · 11-25-11, 05:30 PM

Yes having another card will allow more monitors without SLI. SLI is a headache just a fair warning(my personal experience). Brand doesnt matter as long as its the same GPU and the same amount of Vram your set!

GL HF.

OSUmaxx · 11-25-11, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thideras

I would suggest staying with an nVidia card, though. Adding ATI into the mix would not be fun.

Ditto. Mixing and matching nVidia/ATI makes things tough, but you'll be just fine adding a second card.

McGrace · 11-25-11, 06:16 PM

Dang. I have a MSI 870A-G54 motherboard which apparently does not allow SLI.

Frick. Anyone know if you can do two nVidia cards and just have multiple monitors?

thideras · 11-25-11, 06:16 PM

I already answered that: yes.

McGrace · 11-25-11, 06:17 PM

I posted this after the last two replies. I think you just answered my question. Gettin the card, it's only 20 bucks so heck yah.

JeremyCT · 11-25-11, 07:19 PM

You can put as many cards into your system as you have available PCIe slots for them. You'll be able to use all available display outputs. This is regardless of motherboard or video card type, brand, or certification. As others have said, stay with one GPU brand, mixing AMD and nVidia in the same system isn't fun.

The only thing you won't be able to do is tie them together in SLi. Since it's a cheap, slow card that you're buying, that won't matter to you anyway.

McGrace · 11-26-11, 07:56 AM

Yeah, I don't game any more (time issue

). I just can use the extra monitors for writing software. I am using several tools at once, and popping between screens is getting old... especially since I have three extra monitors sitting around. Seems like a no brainer to spend the 20 bucks and just use them.

11-25-11, 05:07 PM	Thread Starter #1
McGrace Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Can you SLI Different cards? Hi guys, I understand there is probably an answer for this in several places already here. I am only asking without the super ten hour search, reading, and understanding session because of a Black Friday deal. I have nVidia GT 430 already, and wonder if I get another one from another brand if I can still SLI them. Most importantly, I want to have more outputs for HDMI available. Thanks! __________________ McGrace Main Build: Phenom II 1100T, 8GB GSkill DDR3 1600 (running @1333), MSI GeForce 430GT x 2, MSI 870A-G54 MoBo, 60GB Crucial SSD Mine: Dell PentiumD 820 2GB GeForce 7200GT RAM Wife's (formerly mine): Phenom II x4 910 8GB RAM ATI 4350 My Laptop: Toshiba Core2 Duo T6600 6GB RAM 18" Wife's Laptop (formerly mine): Gateway Core2 Duo T7200 2GB RAM 17"
	QUOTE Thanks

11-25-11, 05:24 PM	#2
thideras Banned Neckbeard Moderator Premium Member #3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Dakota	As long as they are the same core and memory quantity, then it will be fine. Brands don't matter. __________________ Desktop: Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H \| 3570k 4.6 GHz \| 32 GB GSkill Ares \| GTX 570 \| 180 GB Intel & 2 TB total \| Arch Linux and Windows 7 Main server: 37 TB raw disk \| 2x Opteron 6134 \| Asus KGPE-D16 \| 48 GB RAM \| LSI 8708EM2 \| CentOS 6.2 VM Server 1: Dell R510 \| 2x E5645 \| 128 GB RAM \| 4x 300 GB Velociraptor \| Xen Cloud Platform (XCP) VM Server 2: Dell R710 \| 2x E5645 \| 288 GB RAM \| 8x 300 GB Velociraptor \| Xen Cloud Platform (XCP) "That's not overkill, or a lot. That's just thiderastic." -txus.palacios Current projects: Rackmount Overkill (New) \| 30/45 hard drive server Articles: Rack Mounting 101 \| Dell Perc 5/i Throughput Benchmarks Past projects: Software RAID \| The Dragon Case My Website *Want to talk directly to all* the moderators at once? Call the Mod Hotline!**
	QUOTE Thanks

11-25-11, 05:25 PM	Thread Starter #3
McGrace Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Sorry, to clarify, even if I can't SLI can I use a second video card to throw on extra monitors? (I again apologize if this wastes your time and appreciate any help.) __________________ McGrace Main Build: Phenom II 1100T, 8GB GSkill DDR3 1600 (running @1333), MSI GeForce 430GT x 2, MSI 870A-G54 MoBo, 60GB Crucial SSD Mine: Dell PentiumD 820 2GB GeForce 7200GT RAM Wife's (formerly mine): Phenom II x4 910 8GB RAM ATI 4350 My Laptop: Toshiba Core2 Duo T6600 6GB RAM 18" Wife's Laptop (formerly mine): Gateway Core2 Duo T7200 2GB RAM 17"
	QUOTE Thanks

11-25-11, 05:27 PM	#4
thideras Banned Neckbeard Moderator Premium Member #3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Dakota	Yes, if you aren't running them in SLi, it does not matter. I would suggest staying with an nVidia card, though. Adding ATI into the mix would not be fun. __________________ Desktop: Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H \| 3570k 4.6 GHz \| 32 GB GSkill Ares \| GTX 570 \| 180 GB Intel & 2 TB total \| Arch Linux and Windows 7 Main server: 37 TB raw disk \| 2x Opteron 6134 \| Asus KGPE-D16 \| 48 GB RAM \| LSI 8708EM2 \| CentOS 6.2 VM Server 1: Dell R510 \| 2x E5645 \| 128 GB RAM \| 4x 300 GB Velociraptor \| Xen Cloud Platform (XCP) VM Server 2: Dell R710 \| 2x E5645 \| 288 GB RAM \| 8x 300 GB Velociraptor \| Xen Cloud Platform (XCP) "That's not overkill, or a lot. That's just thiderastic." -txus.palacios Current projects: Rackmount Overkill (New) \| 30/45 hard drive server Articles: Rack Mounting 101 \| Dell Perc 5/i Throughput Benchmarks Past projects: Software RAID \| The Dragon Case My Website *Want to talk directly to all* the moderators at once? Call the Mod Hotline!**
	QUOTE Thanks

11-25-11, 05:30 PM	#5
ssjwizard Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, NM	Yes having another card will allow more monitors without SLI. SLI is a headache just a fair warning(my personal experience). Brand doesnt matter as long as its the same GPU and the same amount of Vram your set! GL HF. __________________ Life is what you make of it, we exist for the sole purpose of existing. Dont waste the universe efforts! All statements, imagery, and ideas contained within any posts are merely retold tales of fictional acts by a figment of the universe imagination. So your looking for an AMD FX motherboard, things you need to know. Whats the max safe temps/volts for an FX? Green Gorilla, CM 690-II nVidia, FX 8320, GTX 670, liquid cooled Liquid Fusion, CM 690-II, A8+6670 Dual GFX, liquid cooled Extreme evaporative water loop 450mm^3 water cooled beast - Incomplete
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11-25-11, 06:16 PM	Thread Starter #7
McGrace Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Dang. I have a MSI 870A-G54 motherboard which apparently does not allow SLI. Frick. Anyone know if you can do two nVidia cards and just have multiple monitors? __________________ McGrace Main Build: Phenom II 1100T, 8GB GSkill DDR3 1600 (running @1333), MSI GeForce 430GT x 2, MSI 870A-G54 MoBo, 60GB Crucial SSD Mine: Dell PentiumD 820 2GB GeForce 7200GT RAM Wife's (formerly mine): Phenom II x4 910 8GB RAM ATI 4350 My Laptop: Toshiba Core2 Duo T6600 6GB RAM 18" Wife's Laptop (formerly mine): Gateway Core2 Duo T7200 2GB RAM 17"
	QUOTE Thanks

11-25-11, 06:16 PM	#8
thideras Banned Neckbeard Moderator Premium Member #3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Dakota	I already answered that: yes. __________________ Desktop: Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H \| 3570k 4.6 GHz \| 32 GB GSkill Ares \| GTX 570 \| 180 GB Intel & 2 TB total \| Arch Linux and Windows 7 Main server: 37 TB raw disk \| 2x Opteron 6134 \| Asus KGPE-D16 \| 48 GB RAM \| LSI 8708EM2 \| CentOS 6.2 VM Server 1: Dell R510 \| 2x E5645 \| 128 GB RAM \| 4x 300 GB Velociraptor \| Xen Cloud Platform (XCP) VM Server 2: Dell R710 \| 2x E5645 \| 288 GB RAM \| 8x 300 GB Velociraptor \| Xen Cloud Platform (XCP) "That's not overkill, or a lot. That's just thiderastic." -txus.palacios Current projects: Rackmount Overkill (New) \| 30/45 hard drive server Articles: Rack Mounting 101 \| Dell Perc 5/i Throughput Benchmarks Past projects: Software RAID \| The Dragon Case My Website *Want to talk directly to all* the moderators at once? Call the Mod Hotline!**
	QUOTE Thanks

11-25-11, 06:17 PM	Thread Starter #9
McGrace Member Join Date: Dec 2006	I posted this after the last two replies. I think you just answered my question. Gettin the card, it's only 20 bucks so heck yah. __________________ McGrace Main Build: Phenom II 1100T, 8GB GSkill DDR3 1600 (running @1333), MSI GeForce 430GT x 2, MSI 870A-G54 MoBo, 60GB Crucial SSD Mine: Dell PentiumD 820 2GB GeForce 7200GT RAM Wife's (formerly mine): Phenom II x4 910 8GB RAM ATI 4350 My Laptop: Toshiba Core2 Duo T6600 6GB RAM 18" Wife's Laptop (formerly mine): Gateway Core2 Duo T7200 2GB RAM 17"
	QUOTE Thanks

11-25-11, 07:19 PM	#10
JeremyCT Member Join Date: Feb 2009	You can put as many cards into your system as you have available PCIe slots for them. You'll be able to use all available display outputs. This is regardless of motherboard or video card type, brand, or certification. As others have said, stay with one GPU brand, mixing AMD and nVidia in the same system isn't fun. The only thing you won't be able to do is tie them together in SLi. Since it's a cheap, slow card that you're buying, that won't matter to you anyway. __________________ QX9650 @3.66 GHz (P45) EVGA GTX 570 SC 797/1594/975
	QUOTE Thanks

11-26-11, 07:56 AM	Thread Starter #11
McGrace Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Yeah, I don't game any more (time issue ). I just can use the extra monitors for writing software. I am using several tools at once, and popping between screens is getting old... especially since I have three extra monitors sitting around. Seems like a no brainer to spend the 20 bucks and just use them. __________________ McGrace Main Build: Phenom II 1100T, 8GB GSkill DDR3 1600 (running @1333), MSI GeForce 430GT x 2, MSI 870A-G54 MoBo, 60GB Crucial SSD Mine: Dell PentiumD 820 2GB GeForce 7200GT RAM Wife's (formerly mine): Phenom II x4 910 8GB RAM ATI 4350 My Laptop: Toshiba Core2 Duo T6600 6GB RAM 18" Wife's Laptop (formerly mine): Gateway Core2 Duo T7200 2GB RAM 17"
	QUOTE Thanks

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