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    Ok lads, a monster question on SLI......

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Panerissimi, Dec 11, 2008.

  1. Panerissimi

    Panerissimi Newbie

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    I have a 512mb and a 256mb NVidia 7900GS hooked up in my AW7900. Of course they cannot be enabled in SLI, but has anyone come up with a driver mod that can actuate SLI functionality? Both cards are recognized and working properly, in fact I have had some increased performance, but would like to throw this up to the pros here to see if I can improve my set up, without hunting for another 512mb card.....Thx in advance.
     
    Panerissimi, Dec 11, 2008
    #1
  2. Mystik

    Mystik Notebook Deity

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    as far as I understand, when in SLI mode, the video RAM is mirrored between the cards... So to actually enable SLI in this environment, both cards would need to be using the same amount of RAM... equivilant to the lowest RAM value in either of the cards. in this case 256.

    if you want to make that sacrifice, then you'll probably have moderate success.... especially if both cards are the same model, and one only has more RAM... just find a way to disable the extra RAM in the larger card and try again.... might be tricky though.

    another idea is to dedicate one to PhysX processing... most recent nVidia drivers come with the PhysX extention... you can find it in the control panel (the 32-bit control panel... if you're a 64-bit user).
     
    Mystik, Dec 11, 2008
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  3. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    There was no 512MB 7900GS. Do you mean 7900GTX?
     
    TurbodTalon, Dec 11, 2008
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  4. Panerissimi

    Panerissimi Newbie

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    No it is indeed a 7900GS and sorry edited my post I have the older AW7900 (fat fingers)
     
    Panerissimi, Dec 11, 2008
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  5. ichime

    ichime Notebook Elder

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    I too haven't heard of a 7900 GS with 512 mb. Are you sure it's not a 7950 GTX because that came with the first Alienware M9750s (which I assume you are referring to when you say AW7950)...
     
    ichime, Dec 11, 2008
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  6. Panerissimi

    Panerissimi Newbie

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    Doh! my aw is a 7900, edited my post
     
    Panerissimi, Dec 11, 2008
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  7. Panerissimi

    Panerissimi Newbie

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    I'm going to experiment with coolbits 18.
     
    Panerissimi, Dec 11, 2008
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  8. mlee49

    mlee49 Notebook Consultant

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    1st off AW did offer a 512 7900 GS.
    2nd off if you have dual cards and the cable is connected why can you not enable SLI in your Nvidia Control Panel? I did.
    3rd off I called AW about a year ago and they wanted $500 for dual 512Mb 7900's(they do exist).
     
    mlee49, Dec 11, 2008
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