No SLI with A8N-SLI and 2 6800 GT's....help! -- PROBLEM FIXED

[tmunk]

(see my thread below for resolution)

I helped build a new machine for a friend. He has the A8N-SLI motherboard, dual BFG 6800 GT's (bought as a branded 'SLI' capable pair), and an Enermax 600W PSU (same PSU used in the Alienware SLI machines). The bridge is installed between the 2 video cards, the motherboard is set for SLI, and EZ-plug is in. I've tried device drivers from 66.93 to 71.80 (using Drivercleaner in between)

Device manage shows 2 video cards, but there is no option in the GeForce panels to 'Enable SLI'. It says something about an incompatible video card. Yet these BFG 6800 GT's were sold as a pair for SLI purposes. They have the same bios level and power is plugged into both cards.

Any ideas at this point?

Anybody out there have SLI working with BFG 6800 GT's?

[CMB]

I have seen a post or two on issues with BFG and sli....how are you determining the bios is the same on both boards ? If you are going by the sticker(s) on the board, it may be incorrect and not match the actual bios.
Are you checking they match some other way ?

[cosine12]

Mine are working great! I have had no trouble with the BFG 6800 GT's in SLI or otherwise, they are running 410 mhz/1100 mhz. I wouldn't think it would matter, but I did my initial OS install and drivers with a single 6600 GT card in the motherboard, and put in the BFG's later. As soon as the BFG's were in (with the SLI selector card reversed and bridge installed) the driver notified me when XP started that the system was SLI capable and offered to enable it. That required a reboot and BAM! SLI!

[CMB]

Ok...just to add to my last post....here is a thread where the bioses did not match the sticker on the card
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread....post1027242495
Also as Cosine has mentioned, there is a preferred method to install the SLI, though it probably shouldn't matter how it's done.
Cut from Bfg's faq
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Q. I am setting up my SLI system, should I put both BFG SLI ready cards in at once or one at a time?

A. You should check with the documentation that came with your motherboard to be certain. We suggest installing the top (closest to CPU) card first then the OS and drivers. Once the system is up and stable shut it down and switch the SLI/Single mode selector card (refer to system manual) to SLI or Dual. Insert the second card and the SLI connector across the top of the two cards. Boot the system and go into the bios to check for any SLI settings, make sure they are set to auto or SLI. After the systems boots the second card will be detected and the drivers installed and the system will need to be rebooted. Once windows loads you will see an “SLI capable system” message. Click on this message and select the “Enable SLI multi-GPU” checkbox, then “Apply” and “ok”. The system will reboot and you will see an “SLI has been enable” message. Enjoy!
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http://www.bfgtech.com/tech_redux.html

[tmunk]

CMB, you were right on. I downloaded an excellent tool called Everest that gives a ton of system information including video card bios levels. It turns out that even though the stickers on the cards showed the same level, the cards were actually at different bios levels. Unbelievable. I called BFG and they said send the card in and we'll put the bios on to match your other card. So, not a big deal...but I've spent days on this and now gotta wait a few more days for my SLI! :-)

Thanks for the help guys.

[CMB]

Glad to help....
seems like a QC problem at BFG with the stickers/bios.

[Sick Willie]

Glad to help....
seems like a QC problem at BFG with the stickers/bios.

And thus a good reason to buy everything at the same time (in the same box). I would be surprised (but maybe not shocked) if someone bought that and the cards weren't the same.

[Sick Willie]

CMB, you were right on. I downloaded an excellent tool called Everest that gives a ton of system information including video card bios levels. It turns out that even though the stickers on the cards showed the same level, the cards were actually at different bios levels. Unbelievable. I called BFG and they said send the card in and we'll put the bios on to match your other card. So, not a big deal...but I've spent days on this and now gotta wait a few more days for my SLI! :-)

Thanks for the help guys.

What's unbelievable is that they wouldn't just send you the BIOS and let you do it yourself.

[fasteddy]

Couldn't he have just copied one bios onto the other card...
Shouldn't need to, I agree... but far better than sending it back and waiting!

[FastEddie]

Or have BFG email you the correct bios to flash yourself.