8800GTS and GTX in SLI?

Question

Is it possible to combine an Nvidia Geforce 8800GTS and an 8800GTX in SLI, or do they have to be the exact same model?

Answer 1

Matched pair is BEST but even different brands/speeds usually work as long as GPU are the same. 8800GTS and GTX both have the Nvidia G80 GPU. Check it out here:
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_diy_videoguide01.html

Answer 2

I have been in the biz for nearly 16 years now, far before 3D graphics cards even existed as we know them today. I am also a "vendor partner" with a handful of companies so I can clear up any confusion...

Each series of cards works on a different chip fabrication. An 8800GTS has 96 unified shaders and uses the NVidia G80 GPU. It also uses (5) 64-bit memory controllers giving it a bus width of 320bits.

Although the 8800GTX uses the same G80 GPU, it has 128 unified shaders and uses (6) 64-bit memory controllers giving it a bus width of 384bits.

The later GPU's released by NVidia have a lot of potential, but are targeted at a different user. The G84 and G86 were created for the 8300GS/GT, 8400GS, 8500GT, and 8600GS/GT/GTS/Ultra.

Although the newer GPU's have new features such as a BSP (bitstream processor) for HD Video acceleration, they have far less unified shaders (16-64), less and slower memory, and only a 128 or 256bit bus.

At the current time, per NVidia's guidelines, you must have the same GPU (G80/G80 or G86/G86), same amount of memory - therefore you can not use an 8800GTS 320 with a 640... and they must be the same brand!

Now, if you meet the criteria above lets say you currently have an EVGA 8800GTS 640 "Superclocked Edition" you may add a second EVGA 8800GTS standard edition at a lower clockspeed. By doing this however, the drivers will underclock the "Superclocked" card to the same speed as the standard edition.

Although not officially supported, some people have been succesful mixing brands of the same GPU and Series...

Ex: EVGA 8800GTS 640 & BFG 8800GTS 640

Beware, there is no official support for this and you are making a big gamble here! Sometimes it's as simple as plug and play, othertimes you may need to modify drivers, and sometimes you may need to reflash the BIOS of one of the cards to meet the others...

NVidia has made a public statement however that SLI WILL support different vendors in the future. They have not stated when or how though - this may be in the next generation of cards, or as simple as a driver update - but no one knows for sure unless you work for NVidia!!

The most logical thing to do is either buy a 2nd identical card. Or, sell your current card if you are unhappy with it and buy a faster one!

With that said, you may want to look at EVGA they have ranked #1 in every benchmark, won nearly every award for customer service, and have a great "step-up" program which allows you to send in your card within 90 days of purchase and upgrade to the card of your choice! You only pay the difference in price!

I have built *thousands* of computers for a living and have NEVER had a bad card from EVGA! Everyone has their own preference, but I figured I'd let you know from my own professional experience.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

SLI only works with the same brand AND model cards. So the answer is no. You would either need 2 GTS cards or 2 GTX cards because they are completely separate models.

Answer 4

Both of them will bottleneck because of the different speeds so dont even try it just buy 2 8800GTS or 2 8800GTX.

Answer 5

I don't think its possible, and it sounds like a bad idea to begin with. The GTX is going to be limited by the GTS, so it would be at best like 2 GTS's in SLI. So, don't even bother.

Answer 6

a greater useful thank you to objective your SLI setups is to run Crysis with the Console command and evaluate physique expenditures enter console mode (hit the ~ on your keyboard) style contained in here and hit return "r_displayinfo = one million" (no expenditures) Hit the ~ lower back to go out console mode you will now see your physique fee and different information on the top appropriate portion of your exhibit

Answer 7

no idea