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    Hybrid SLI question

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by ZackB, Oct 15, 2009.

  1. ZackB

    ZackB Notebook Consultant

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    Hey, I have dual gtx280s and a motherboard that has an integrated nvidia 9400m with hybrid SLI technology. Right now I have the Hybrid SLI shut off completely and am just running straight sli 280's 24/7.

    I was reading an article on Hybrid SLI and it said it supports one discrete GPU "or more" working in tandem with the onboard 9400. All along I was thinking it only supported the 9400 and one discrete working together in Hybrid SLI.

    I was wondering if anybody knows how many discrete GPU's Hybrid SLI can support and if turning it back on will allow all gpus to work together for faster performance over my normal SLI config?
     
    ZackB, Oct 15, 2009
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  2. teeth_03

    teeth_03 Notebook Evangelist

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    afaik,the only desktop cards that will work with hybrid SLI (w/ geforce boost) is the 8400 GS and 8500 GT. Nvidia didnt push this feature very far.

    Now,there are a few more that support hybrid power (shutting off the discrete card to save power), but im not sure on the complete list of those.

    I looked into this too,since I also have a motherboard with a 9400,and was disappointed to hear that getting a better video card is always a better alternative than trying to use Geforce Boost,the results dont look promising.
     
    teeth_03, Oct 15, 2009
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  3. Kamin_Majere

    Kamin_Majere =][= Ordo Hereticus

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    I think you misunderstand how Hybrid SLI works. It isnt a combining of power between the 9400 and the 280, its a way to allow your 280's to preform all of the power work while using the 9400 during slow periods (like office work and browsing the net) to let your system run longer on battery power.

    So for gaming and high power multimedia/GPGPU work your SLI 280's would be doing all of the work.
    But for simple tasks that dont require alot of power your 9400 would be doing the work.
     
    Kamin_Majere, Oct 15, 2009
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  4. ZackB

    ZackB Notebook Consultant

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    @teeth: boo yah thats what I just read, too bad they slacked on implementing it, but it has to be comparable from what I have read so that may be the limitation :(

    @Kamin: Sorry I don't think I worded my question correctly, I should have added GeforceBoost in there too someplace. Teeth got what I was getting at and confirmed my suspicions :)
     
    ZackB, Oct 15, 2009
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  5. Kamin_Majere

    Kamin_Majere =][= Ordo Hereticus

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    Ah ok, if you were asking about boost... then yeah its trash. nVidia had a decent idea but it was never really implemented.
     
    Kamin_Majere, Oct 15, 2009
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  6. KimoT

    KimoT Are we not men?

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    Only a few GPUs support the GeforceBoost feature...and those are all slow to begin with (for example, the 9500M G is the fastest 9x00 series to support it).

    There is a list of GPUs supporting GeforceBoost and HybridPower here.
     
    KimoT, Oct 15, 2009
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  7. teeth_03

    teeth_03 Notebook Evangelist

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    hes asking about desktop parts,not mobile GPUs. I know,its a notebook forum,im just indulging the guy...
     
    teeth_03, Oct 15, 2009
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  8. ZackB

    ZackB Notebook Consultant

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    Nope, I am asking about mobiles, sorry, should have added the m's to the 280's, but it is after all a notebook forum :) I have an M17x and my cards are not supported. Thanks lads
     
    ZackB, Oct 15, 2009
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