Trouble Running Vid cards in SLI

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Specs:

- Asus A8N32-Sli Deluxe Motherboard
- AMD FX-57 2.8Ghz single core (clocked @ 3.0)
- 2x 1GB Mushkin DDR500 (PC4000)
- 2x eVGA 7900GTX SuperClocked
- 2x Raptor X 150GB 10K RPM Hard Drive (Raid 0)
- OCZ 850W GamerXtreme PSU
- Windows XP SP2

I'm having trouble setting up SLI on my system with my two 7900GTX's. I used the SLI-Bridge connector that came with the Motherboard, and both cards are in the two x16 slots. Both video cards are getting power with the PCI-E Connector from my PSU. I even have power going to the EZ-Plug on the motherboard that provides sufficient power for the SLI setup. But for some reason, it will only see's one card, and I cannot enable SLI mode.

I used the original Drivers that came with the motherboard, and i am using the latest GeForce 7 drivers. I tested both cards in the first x16 slot and they both work fine.

I tried to boot up the system with one video in the second x16 slot, but I get no screen when I boot up the system. I went into bios and tried to change the primary video to the second x16 slot. After that I was expecting no screen from the primary x16 slot but I STILL GOT VIDEO! I switched to the second x16 and still got no screen.

The manual doesn't really say anything about changing anything in Bios for SLI. It only tells you how to install the cards with the SLI bridge connector and to use the EZ-Plug on the motherboard, and after that it should be all gravy with the drivers and Nvidia settings and such.

I attempted to SLI these two identical video cards after a windows installation where I had a single BFG 7900GTX installed before. Then I tried the mobo disk drivers and I'm still getting the same results. There is no unknown device in my Device Manager.

From all this. I'm pointing my finger at the motherboard, it sounds like the second x16 slot is defective.

What do you guys think? Can anyone help?

Thanks!

[XFX Support]

It sounds like you are on the right track. If you have tried each card in each slot with no luck in the second PCI-E 16 slot then it may be the motherboard. I would contact Asus and look for any additional troubleshooting tips or possibly an RMA number. I know on some of the A8N boards you have to flip over an "SLI enable card" that sits between the two PCI-E 16 slots, double check to ensure yours does not need that.


XFX Support

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Thanks for the reply!

I called Asus and they said it was definitely defective since I couldn't start the system by using the second x16 slot. So I guess the second x16 slot should work just as good as the first one. So I'm gonna RMA it.

It really blows too because I've been trying forever to SLI video cards. Went from my own defective card, to buying two BFG cards, and one of them being defective and then finding the fastest 7900GTX ever and got the eVGA ones on ebay. It's taking forever!!!!!!!!

Thanks again!

[novicegamer]

I have that same board and video cards and had to flash the BIOS to get it to work right.Hope you get it working soon

[XFX Support]

Keep us posted on the progress.


XFX Support