User`s guide

NVIDIA Corporation 167
Chapter 9
Using NVIDIA Scalable Link Interface (SLI)
Hardware Requirements
To support SLI, the motherboard and system must include the following:
Motherboard
Your PC motherboard must be PCI Express-based, with two available and adjacent
PCI Express expansion slots. Both slots must be x16 mechanical with the following
allowed electrical slots:
• x16 + x16
•x16 + x8
•x16 + x4
• x8 + x8
Graphics Cards
NVIDIA SLI requires two SLI graphics cards.
• For SLI Frame Rendering
• Two identical NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500, 4400, 3450, or 3400 graphics cards
• An SLI bridge connector (provided with your graphics board) must also be
installed to utilize the full capabilities of SLI Frame Rendering.
• For SLI Multi-View
• Two matching NVIDIA Quadro FX 4400, 3400, 1400, and 540
Power supply
• Some SLI capable graphics boards, such as the NVIDIA Quadro 3450, 3400, 4500,
or 4400, require an external power cable.
• Since SLI supports up to two high-end graphics boards, the load on the system’s
power supply can increase significantly. A minimum of a 450W Power Supply
Unit (PSU) is recommended.
An inadequate power supply will result in erratic and unpredictable system
behavior.
QuadroGuide_.book Page 167 Monday, November 14, 2005 2:05 PM