How To: Enable SLI on pre-i7/i5 hardware

[anatolymik]

Metro 2033:

http://filenetworks.blogspot.com/2010/03/fix-metro-2033-crash-black-screen.html

 

[Triton.se]

L4D, L4D2, CS Source, TrackMania, Metro 2033 Benchmark been tested. No issues found. GPU overclock works normal, but like said before, gpu usage shows 0% and clocks stay at 3D High all the time @ SLI. If chosing not to use SLI, 2nd card lowers clock (still 1st uses 3D High)

 

[Iszak]

Great job anatolymik! Thanks to all involved in this project! Is there any chance you'd do a Win 7 32bit version? We 32bit users feel kinda left out

 

[anatolymik]

Great job anatolymik! Thanks to all involved in this project! Is there any chance you'd do a Win 7 32bit version? We 32bit users feel kinda left out

Yes

 

[Arisu]

Great job anatolymik! Thanks to all involved in this project! Is there any chance you'd do a Win 7 32bit version? We 32bit users feel kinda left out

Read this post and try it if you're brave and know what you're doing.
Unfortunately, I don't have a machine where I can test it, so it's really very experimental right now.

 

[anatolymik]

Ok. I'm at home now and keep working

 

[listen to remix]

I applied the patch, but it will not work for me. Nvidia Control Panel recognizes two GPU's and allows me to enable SLI but...

Similar Problems:
Both GTX 460s are always at 3d Mode
On OCing software GPU1 and GPU2 usage is always 0%.

My Problem:
The GPU 1 is the only one actually being utilized. I checked by looking at temperatures and FPS.


I have a ASUS M4a79XTD EVO and I used the Win 7 64bit Patch Version B WITHOUT a SLI bridge. I do not have a bridge yet so I can't determine whether that is a factor or not, as to why the patch is not working for me.

 

[Iszak]

Read this post and try it if you're brave and know what you're doing.
Unfortunately, I don't have a machine where I can test it, so it's really very experimental right now.

As soon as I get my new PSU (Corsair HX 750W) I'll test it! My current PSU is to weak to run 2 GTX 460 in SLI...Should be sometime this week

 

[anatolymik]

I'll take a look. I'm working on the driver now

 

[Arisu]

I applied the patch, but it will not work for me. Nvidia Control Panel recognizes two GPU's and allows me to enable SLI.

Similar Problems:
Both GTX 460s are always at 3d Mode
On OCing software GPU1 and GPU2 usage is always 0%.

My Problem:
The GPU 1 is the only one actually being utilized. I checked by looking at temperatures and FPS.


I have a ASUS M4a79XTD EVO and I used the patch WITHOUT a SLI bridge. I do not have a bridge yet so I can't determine whether that is a factor or not, as to why the patch is not working for me.

1. The ForceWare patch is only useful in combination with the SLIPatch which kind of "emulates" a SLI-compilant mainboard. Without the SLIPatch, you will not be able to utilize both GPUs.

2. The ForceWare patch is currently needed for driver versions 258.69 and higher or else it will freeze randomly (mostly with a black screen). The drawback with the patch is, that it currently seems to disable the switching to 2D clock rates when 3D is not needed. This may be fixed sooner or later.

If everything else fails, you could still use the 257.21 drivers and manually add the hardware IDs for the GTX 460. This is what I did before the driver mod became available, but it often locks up while booting if there's any DVI cable plugged in. Plus you'll lose OpenGL 4.1 support and the performance benefits the newer drivers offer, of course.

3. The SLI bridge is not needed for 2-way SLI, but improves performance if you have one.

 

[listen to remix]

1. The ForceWare patch is only useful in combination with the SLIPatch which kind of "emulates" a SLI-compilant mainboard. Without the SLIPatch, you will not be able to utilize both GPUs.

2. The ForceWare patch is currently needed for driver versions 258.69 and higher or else it will freeze randomly (mostly with a black screen). The drawback with the patch is, that it currently seems to disable the switching to 2D clock rates when 3D is not needed. This may be fixed sooner or later.

If everything else fails, you could still use the 257.21 drivers and manually add the hardware IDs for the GTX 460. This is what I did before the driver mod became available, but it often locks up while booting if there's any DVI cable plugged in. Plus you'll lose OpenGL 4.1 support and the performance benefits the newer drivers offer, of course.

3. The SLI bridge is not needed for 2-way SLI, but improves performance if you have one.

1. I used Windows 7 64bit SLI Patch, version 0.8b
2. I used 258.96 because that's the version this patch is for
3. I just thought it might affect the patch in some way.

I didn't want to use the 257 drivers because of the lock ups.

 

[Arisu]

1. I used Windows 7 64bit SLI Patch, version 0.8b
2. I used 258.96 because that's the version this patch is for

I didn't want to use the 257 drivers because of the lock ups.

Then you've set up everything correctly, I guess. I'm using two GTX 460 under Windows 7 x64 with SLIPatch v0.8b as well.
However, the SLI Indicator that's available in the NV Control Panel says that everything's working fine and my temperatures confirm this.
GPU-Z constantly shows both GPUs as 0% loaded, though... I didn't see that before the driver upgrade today. Might be introduced by the ForceWare patch. I'll have to look further into this.

It's really a shame we have to go through all this hassle just because we're using a mainboard that isn't ratified by NVIDIA, even tough we bought their expensive hardware. Damn vendor lock-out...

 

[soundood]

just logging in to say high

im gong to be testing with BC2 for a few hours to see if everything runs ok,

nice to see we have a new brother to the pack

welcome Arisu

speak back later

 

[anatolymik]

Modded ForceWare 258.96 Build 3 for Windows Vista/7 x64
http://www.xdevs.com/sli/ModdedForceWare258_96_B3.RAR

1. unpack the archive to some folder (separate from driver installer)
2. install 258.96 forceware
3. reboot
4. run Install.cmd as administrator in windows explorer
5. Reboot

If you have build 1(2) of modded driver installed you should to do 4,5 steps

I need to know everything. Stability, Benchies and so on. Please report.

USE WITH SLIPATCH 0.8b

FIXED BUGS

 

[anatolymik]

By the way. Now i have 3d/2d mode switches

 

[anatolymik]

and i'm getting ready to make a new version of the patch

 

[johnspack]

I'll test again soon, I just brought my gtx280 back to life, so I'm kind of busy right now. I need to make a new win install for my 260s again. I had hardware issues that corrupted my testing, so I have to start over again.....

 

[soundood]

i can confirm 2d clocks working with new patch, bad company 2 stable for 1 hr 30 mins.

ohhh this is good

 

[Triton.se]

I'll do some testing, like the smell of burning video cards in the evening !

If 2D/3D clock switches work, then we're there already !

TrackMania has been very hard for nvidia to "patch", too many times I've played with gpus at 2D or 3D Low mode, so this game will be nice to test ! EDIT // All OK, stayed 3D High the whole time I played and switched to 2D after quitting game.

Perfect !

 

[Triton.se]

Yep, nice to see 2D clocks at desktop and when started game I see GPU Usage % in EVGA Precision Tool !

 

[papatsonis]

thank again!!! is it possible to use it with 260.63 driver like arisu's mod? eitherway ill try it and ill post results

 

[meran]

hmmm i dont have an sli connector but my brother have 8800gt too so if i can run it on my p45 it will be great ,

 

[listen to remix]

Then you've set up everything correctly, I guess. I'm using two GTX 460 under Windows 7 x64 with SLIPatch v0.8b as well.
However, the SLI Indicator that's available in the NV Control Panel says that everything's working fine and my temperatures confirm this.
GPU-Z constantly shows both GPUs as 0% loaded, though... I didn't see that before the driver upgrade today. Might be introduced by the ForceWare patch. I'll have to look further into this.

It's really a shame we have to go through all this hassle just because we're using a mainboard that isn't ratified by NVIDIA, even tough we bought their expensive hardware. Damn vendor lock-out...

I'm also using a 16x and 8x PCI Express slot... that may be the source of the problem.

 

[Triton.se]

Yesterday Metro2033 crashed many times, also L4D wasn't 100% perfect feel on occasions...but today with Build 3, none of the problems. All in all, seem like any great nvidia drivers (w/o the silly 'random' crashes *cough-cough*) ! I think we have the BEST possible drivers in the World !!! LOL !

Thx anatolymik !

 

[anatolymik]

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/innovatedxflavor/Patch3-1.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/innovatedxflavor/PATCH3-2-1.jpg
I'm also using a 16x and 8x PCI Express slot... that may be the source of the problem.

What build did you use?