Question regarding SLI

[wesb2]

Hello,

 

I have a relatively quick question I'm hoping someone can help me with here.

 

I would like to SLI two gtx 970s, and was considering getting the asus strix version of the card. However, I saw someone mention in passing that these cards and others like it are not ideal for SLI as they tend to radiate their heat upwards, which can cause one card to get very hot since they're so close.

 

How true does this hold, and is it better then to just buy reference style cards that don't really expel any heat into the case?

 

Thank you for any answers you can provide I've never done SLI before so please forgive my ignorance.

 

Thanks

[SovietOnion]

If you can keep the cards 1 slot apart, go non-reference, if they will literally be right on top of each other go blower style. With my SLI GTX 760s my top card only got 2-5 degrees warmer, 8c at 100%

 

You also need good case flow for open air coolers, so make sure you have at least 2 intakes and 1 exhausts (preferably more)

[TheKDub]

It will be fine, though I'd suggest giving them a pci slot of space between them.

 

Reference cards typically are a main choice for SLI as they don't heat the other cards up as much since they expel the heat out the rear of the case and not back into it.

[Lord Pantaloons]

That's what happens in all Multi GPU configs, it's not exclusive to the 970. So long as you have decent airflow you will be fine but know that your top card will always be hotter unless you watercool them.

[Guest Kloaked]

SLI isn't something you should buy outright all of the time. Instead, you should buy the highest performing card that you can buy first and then SLI down the road.

 

Regardless of the heat output on the STRIX, all open cooler designs will push heat into the case unlike the reference models that blow the air out the back of the case.

 

If you have a fairly decent size case, it'll be fine for pushing the air out. It's not very ideal for smaller cases though with coolers like that.

[ExcitezR]

that is true when ever you have a SLI or crossfire the top card will get hotter my 280xs the top one is about 6-7c hotter 

[SovietOnion]

SLI isn't something you should buy outright all of the time. Instead, you should buy the highest performing card that you can buy first and then SLI down the road.

 

Regardless of the heat output on the STRIX, all open cooler designs will push heat into the case unlike the reference models that blow the air out the back of the case.

 

If you have a fairly decent size case, it'll be fine for pushing the air out. It's not very ideal for smaller cases though with coolers like that.

It seems like by the time most people get around to adding that 2nd card, new gen is already coming around and if they're anything like me they'll want to jump on that wagon ASAP

[wesb2]

I do have a HAF932, so I'd like to think my airflow is resonable. However I'm running a bit of an older motherboard(LGA1156) and unfortunately only have 2 PCI-E slots. I wasn't however planning on buying the second 970 right from the get go, so maybe I will wait until I upgrade my CPU/mobo to SLI, in which case non-reference might be fine.

 

Thank you guys for all of your answers! It's given me some very good information to think about