SLI trouble

[Fireblade]

THE PROBLEM

I have recently brought two Galax Infinity Black Edition GTX970 gpus

My rig runs fine with no SLI enabled.

As soon as I enable SLI my rig randomly reboots, with no error message, no BSOD or any indication. It can be while idle, while browsing the web, while writing forum posts, while gaming, it is most prominent during periods of 3D load.

I have RMA both cards and been told they are both in working order.

I have tested cards on two setups

AMD FX-4170

Crosshair V Formula-z

Dominator Platinum 1866mhz

Enermax Platimax 1500W PSU

Intel I7 4790k

Maximus Formula VII

Dominator Platinum 2400mhz

Corsair 1200w PSU

Both rigs had completely different components. I tried benching with both setups to remove any possibility case etc was causing problems.

After RMA cards came back saying no faults found on either, still getting the same error.

I have used different driver versions, checked BIOS versions, flashed BIOS, tested at stock and overclocked, one stick of RAM different BIOS configurations,complete re install, even different SLI bridges, everything I can think of.

Has anyone got any idea what else I can try.

Attached is my DxDiag readout if its any help.

Please help me i'm pulling out my hair

[AlwaysFSX]

You fail to list the system which is causing the problems?

[Fireblade]

Getting the same problem on both systems exactly the same.

[helping]

remove all unnecessary hardware including any HDD/ODD and all accessories besides KB/M and try it again with a clean install with only HDD only.

 

though I have a feeling you've probably already tried this, maybe tried different SLI fingers? And I assume both cards work fine without SLI.

You could try twitter tagging Nvidia and asking them for help

[D2ultima]

Question: can you take the rig to another house? It sounds like an issue I had where I had voltage problems. I don't know if SLI is the actual cause, but I had two GPUs in my system at any given time so... yeah.

 

Can you get it to restart in the BIOS?

[Fireblade]

Thanks for rapid response. I have got clean install on both rigs and basic peripherals no luck. And have tried around a mates house.

I think I may try get onto Galax and Nvidia

[Fireblade]

Yeah tried different fingers and both cards have been fault tested by supplier no issues according to them however same exact problem on two separate rigs can't be coincidence. Had gtx 680 running in both rigs before

[Briggsy]

just a long shot but is it possible that there might be brief drops in your house/building's electrical system, or even just the circuit your pc is connected to? A computer can reboot if there is a very brief power dip, without shutting off completely. 

[Nikolithebear]

Try changing drivers also making sure theyre at stock speeds as well.  

[Fireblade]

Unlikely to be power have tested at my mates house and laid 3phase ring main for my computers

[Godlygamer23]

Change the SLI bridge.

[Mush Brain]

Buy an entirely new SLi bridge and try again.

try using a different wall plug socket for you PC, you may have faulty sockets.

[Fireblade]

Ok have tested at workshop still same issue. And already tested with multiple SLI bridges, 

 

 

 

Question: can you take the rig to another house? It sounds like an issue I had where I had voltage problems. I don't know if SLI is the actual cause, but I had two GPUs in my system at any given time so... yeah.

 

Can you get it to restart in the BIOS?

Yeah system restart will allow me to get into BIOS.

[Fireblade]

Ok done another few hours of testing, I can report I am now having the same issue with 1 card.... So the situation is downgrading.  I have tried several computers now with different components with no connection at all. And still crashing. I am told both graphics cards are fine by manufacture.

Its driving me crazy

Cant get hold of Nvidia or Galax

[D2ultima]

Ok have tested at workshop still same issue. And already tested with multiple SLI bridges, 

 

 

 

Yeah system restart will allow me to get into BIOS.

No. I mean if you idle in the BIOS does it restart if you leave it for a while?

[Fireblade]

OK tested idle in BIOS over night would appear it idles without restarting would that indicate software problems?

[D2ultima]

OK tested idle in BIOS over night would appear it idles without restarting would that indicate software problems?

If you never restart in the BIOS, it's not a house voltage issue. It's more than likely some piece of hardware causing it. When I had my shutdown issues from voltage fluctuations, it would restart in the BIOS.

 

Here's what: try again and overnight it in Safe Mode. This will only cause core windows drivers to load (ruling out the GPU drivers, etc). If it doesn't happen, it's DEFINITELY a software issue (assuming it happens for certain multiple times a day once the PC is booted normally).

[Fireblade]

Thanks will test tonight. In safe mode should I test with 3D mark. At the moment that's an assured way to reboot

[Fireblade]

OK last night ran safe mode fine but no SLI enabled or under any 3D load still crashing in windows at random points

[Fireblade]

OK last night ran safe mode fine but no SLI enabled or under any 3D load still crashing in windows at random points

[D2ultima]

What? Windows DID crash in safe mode?

[Fireblade]

Ok safe mode worked fine without 3D load, assuming that its a software issue I have tested with just windows no drivers for anything no updates. still crashing. Completely out of ideas.

[Godlygamer23]

Ok safe mode worked fine without 3D load, assuming that its a software issue I have tested with just windows no drivers for anything no updates. still crashing. Completely out of ideas.

Did you try each card separately in each rig?

[Fireblade]

Did you try each card separately in each rig?

Have tested each card individually and am getting random reboots on both cards now. SLI just reduces the time it takes for reboot to occur.

 

 

 

What? Windows DID crash in safe mode?

Nope windows ran in safe mode fine. indicating software i guess

[D2ultima]

Have tested each card individually and am getting random reboots on both cards now. SLI just reduces the time it takes for reboot to occur.

 

 

 

Nope windows ran in safe mode fine. indicating software i guess

Ok, we've gotten to the root of the problem. BIOS + Safe Mode being fine = software issue. I suggest downloading if you can new drivers for your card (and a program called DDU) and using safe mode to run DDU then install new drivers. If you still crash, the problem exists elsewhere on your PC in your installed programs list (and possibly startup programs list so either pick and run through it all or backup your data in safe mode (as no crashing there) and then reinstall windows, taking care what you install.