Asus Crosshair II Formula: NVIDIA SLI™

This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready

PCI Express graphics cards.

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NVIDIA

SLI™

6

technology support

Chapter summary

6.1 Overview ....................................................................................... 6-1

6.2 Dual graphics cards setup .......................................................... 6-2

ASUS Crosshair

6.1 Overview

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The motherboard supports the NVIDIA

SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology

that allows you to install two identical PCI Express™ x16 graphics cards. Follow

the installation procedures in this section.

Requirements

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• You should have two identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA

certied.

• Make sure that your graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI technology.

Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www.nvidia.com).

• Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the

minimum power required by your system. See “8. ATX power connectors” on

page 2-32 for details.

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• The NVIDIA SLI technology supports Windows

XP™ 32-bit/64bit operating

system only.

• Visit the NVIDIA zone website (http://www.nzone.com) for the latest certied

graphics card and supported 3D application list.

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6-1

6.2 Dual graphics card setup

6.2.1 Installing SLI-ready graphics cards

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Install only identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA

-certied.

Different types of graphics cards will not work together properly.

To install the graphics cards:

1. Prepare two graphics cards. Each graphics card should have goldngers for

the SLI connector.

Goldngers

2. Remove the metal bracket covers opposite the two PCI Express x16 slots.

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Chapter 6: NVIDIA

SLI™ technology support

3. Insert one graphics card into either the blue or black slot. Make sure that the

card is properly seated on the slot.

4. Insert the second graphics card into the other slot. Make sure that the card is

properly seated on the slot.

If required, connect an auxiliary power source to the PCI Express graphics

cards.

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6-3

5. Align and insert the SLI connector to the goldngers on each graphics card.

Make sure that the connector is rmly in place.

SLI connector

6. When installing two VGA cards using a 20-pin ATX PSU with sufcient+12v

capability, we recommend that you connect the auxillary power source from

the power supply to the graphics card. Refer to the PSU documentation for

dual VGA power requirements.

7. Connect a VGA cable or a DVI-I cable to the graphics card/s.

We recommend to install an additional chassis fan for better thermal

environment.

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Chapter 6: NVIDIA

SLI™ technology support

6.2.2 Installing the device drivers

Refer to the documentation that came with your graphics card package to install

the device drivers.

Make sure that your PCI Express graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI

technology. Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www.nvidia.

com).

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6.2.3 Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows

After installing your graphics cards and the device drivers, enable the

Multi-Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) feature in the NVIDIA nView properties.

To enable the multi-GPU feature:

1. Click the NVIDIA Settings icon on

your Windows taskbar.

NVIDIA Settings icon

2. From the pop-up menu, select

nView Desktop Manager then click

nView Properties.

3. From the nView Desktop Manager

window, select the Desktop

Management tab.

4. Click Properties to display the

Display Properties dialog box.

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6-5

5. From the Display Properties dialog

box, select the Settings tab then

click Advanced.

6. Select the NVIDIA GeForce tab.

7. Click the slider to display the

following screen, then select the SLI

multi-GPU item.

Slider

8. Click the Enable SLI multi-GPU check box.

9. Click OK when done.

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Chapter 6: NVIDIA

SLI™ technology support