GeForce GTX 670 Doesn't Support 4-way SLI, Possible with Future Driver Update

[btarunr]

At the ceremonial pre-launch press briefing (EMEA), we specifically asked NVIDIA if 4-way SLI was a feature supported with GeForce GTX 670. At the time, it seemed like a silly question to ask, since GTX 670 has the same GPU as GTX 680, which supports 4-way SLI, and its reference board is pictured with two SLI bridge connectors. NVIDIA representative's response was in the affirmative (that it does support 4-way SLI). However, post launch, some sites that had four GTX 670 samples to play with, tried getting 4-way SLI numbers for science, to their failure.

Apparently NVIDIA wrote to some tech publications, such as PC Perspective at the last moment before GeForce GTX 670 launch (we didn't receive such a communication), telling them that the GPU does not support 4-way SLI. The email read "As I'm sure you can imagine, we have to QA every feature that we claim support for and this takes a tremendous amount of time/resources. For the GTX 680 and GTX 690, we do support Quad SLI and take the time to QA it, as it makes sense for the extreme OC'ers and ultra-enthusiasts who are shooting to break world records."



PC Perspective wrote back questioning the move to deprive 4-way SLI. "But with the similarities between the GTX 680 and the GTX 670, is there really any QA addition required to enable quad for 670? Seems like a cop-out to me man..." NVIDIA later replied saying that 4-way SLI could be added to GTX 670 in a future driver update. "Change in plans.....we will be offering 4-Way SLI support for GTX 670 in a future driver." NVIDIA realised that it's not the best thing to do, to deprive 4-way SLI support to the GTX 670. Granted, a very tiny minority of enthusiasts use 4-way multi-GPU, but that's no excuse. Seeing as how the GTX 670 2-way SLI is just 2% slower but 20% cheaper than GeForce GTX 690 while being even more energy efficient, we kind of see a commercial motive behind NVIDIA's move. Yet it's welcome news that NVIDIA will correct this with a "future driver update". Let's hope the issue stays hot, till the said driver update is a reality.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[THE_EGG]

Does 3-way SLI work?

 

[Maban]

Does 3-way SLI work?

Nvidia's site says it does. I haven't come across any reviews though.

 

[btarunr]

Does 3-way SLI work?

Yes, 3-way SLI works.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

good read. I plan to run 2 DirectCU II GTX670s in SLI! i cant wait!

 

[hardcore_gamer]

It makes sense. GK104 was originally meant to be 660Ti and 660.

Those who want to set bench-marking records better wait for GK110.

 

[Crap Daddy]

Nvidia's site says it does. I haven't come across any reviews though.

Try this:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-670-2-and-3way-sli-review/

 

[Jacez44]

It makes sense. GK104 was originally meant to be 660Ti and 660.

Those who want to set bench-marking records better wait for GK110.

Lol, what are the chances GK110 will be released this year with GTX 690 selling for 1,100$?

 

[dj-electric]

GTX670's 3-way SLI lacks a good scaling even at 2560X1600 at most games so... 4-way SLI is just a thing for 3dmark junkies. I think Nvidia will add support later, why shouldn't they after all.

 

[erixx]

then it is a fail......

 

[jihadjoe]

If big kepler was gonna be released this year it would've been GK100 and GTX680 (685?).
The fact that they're calling it GK110 prolly means they're skipping it entirely for this cycle. It'll be out on the refresh, most likely sporting the GTX780 tag (exactly as that leaked slide with Kepler's face said).

 

[hardcore_gamer]

http://www.techpowerup.com/live/images/Computex_2011/silverstone_001.jpg

then it is a fail......

It is not. The SLI connectors are not used in that picture.

 

[RejZoR]

http://www.techpowerup.com/live/images/Computex_2011/silverstone_001.jpg

then it is a fail......

Omfg. I bet lights start to blink in all neighboring houses when you fire up this monstrosity.

 

[dj-electric]

Yeah. Well at least this PC can find the cure for cancer in like... pfft, 5.5 seconds.

 

[hardcore_gamer]

Yeah. Well at least this PC can find the cure for cancer in like... pfft, 5.5 seconds.

Unfortunately GK104 sucks at general purpose computing.

 

[THE_EGG]

http://www.techpowerup.com/live/images/Computex_2011/silverstone_001.jpg

then it is a fail......

it isn't. It is quite a win actually, I think that was Silverstone showing off one of their prototype cases and how many gpu's could fit with ample breathing room.

 

[ensabrenoir]

http://www.techpowerup.com/live/images/Computex_2011/silverstone_001.jpg

then it is a fail......

Wwwwwwoooooooooowwwwwww.......
If I wasnt a redeemed happily maried man.......that would be a pin up poster on my wall....

 

[Jurassic1024]

Unfortunately GK104 sucks at general purpose computing.

That was the trade-off to get the incredible power efficiency. All GeForce cards will have GPGPU gimped.

 

[Jurassic1024]

Ryan @ PCPER:

The message from NVIDIA was pretty clear cut:

"As I’m sure you can imagine, we have to QA every feature that we claim support for and this takes a tremendous amount of time/resources. For the GTX 680 and GTX 690, we do support Quad SLI and take the time to QA it, as it makes sense for the extreme OC’ers and ultra-enthusiasts who are shooting to break world records."

My reply:
But with the similarities between the GTX 680 and the GTX 670, is there really any QA addition required to enable quad for 670? Seems like a cop-out to me man...

I saw it mostly as a reason to differentiate the GTX 670 and the GTX 680 with a feature since the performance between the cards was very similar; maybe too similar for NVIDIA's tastes with the $100 price difference.

Well this afternoon we received some good news from our contact at NVIDIA:
"Change in plans.....we will be offering 4-Way SLI support for GTX 670 in a future driver."

 

[Jurassic1024]

If big kepler was gonna be released this year it would've been GK100 and GTX680 (685?).
The fact that they're calling it GK110 prolly means they're skipping it entirely for this cycle. It'll be out on the refresh, most likely sporting the GTX780 tag (exactly as that leaked slide with Kepler's face said).

GK110 is for Tesla and Quadro cards.

 

[Jurassic1024]

GTX670's 3-way SLI lacks a good scaling even at 2560X1600 at most games so... 4-way SLI is just a thing for 3dmark junkies. I think Nvidia will add support later, why shouldn't they after all.

For single display yea, two cards are the sweet spot, but three or more GPU's will benefit multi-monitor setups beautifully.

 

[erixx]

ample breathing room depends more on mobo design... pci-e slots spacing to be precise...

Wow, I just noticed my pc could fit 4x SLI but not 6... Needs an E-ATX mobo...

 

[THE_EGG]

ample breathing room depends more on mobo design... pci-e slots spacing to be precise...

Wow, I just noticed my pc could fit 4x SLI but not 6... Needs an E-ATX mobo...

This is true, but Silverstone was still showing off how many cards can fit in the case. And AFAIK, there is no mobo out on the market that could support this many cards (well at least consumer level mobos). Also I have NO IDEA why someone would need all the pooowaaaahhhhh.

EDIT: I think I recall Silverstone used ribbon cables, going off of the mobo to connect the GPU's to the mobo. So although spacing of the ports on the mobo is important to 99.99% of us, there are crazy ass extreme enthusiasts that could use ribbon pci-e cables to space out the GPU's accordingly, ensuring they fit in the case.

 

[RejZoR]

I think ASUS had Super Computer mobos with 6+ PCIe slots...

 

[THE_EGG]

I think ASUS had Super Computer mobos with 6+ PCIe slots...

If I had the money I would so buy that just for the bragging rights lol.