Problems after adding second GPU for PhysX - Help

[Limitless100]

I recently upgraded my entire PC, and with it, I got a msi gtx 970 100me gaming edition. I previously had a gtx 750TI. I have been reading that the 750TI can definitely boost performance when used as a dedicated physx card. So I decided I would use it for that. Upon initial setup, I only used the gt 970 (this was a fresh install of windows and everything.) I downloaded the 970 drivers etc etc.

 

When I shut down and decided to throw in the 750 TI my computer gave me a weird boot message asking if I wanted to repair the system because a software or hardware change may have occurred. I booted normally. AKA I chose not to run the repair and just let windows boot normally. Windows started (my screen resolutions did change, not sure why). Windows recognized the new things I added and I'm assuming installed drivers (keyboard / mouse into I/O panel ... 750 TI..and I believe I hooked up my two extra HD's as well)

 

After I reset my resolution settings, I went into nvidia control panel, and set the 750 as dedicated PHysx. MSi afterburner saw it in the system, nvidia saw it, GPU-z saw it, all seemed well. My issue was that my PCI config was causing both cards to run at x4 / x4. So I changed my 750 TI to PCIE1 (x16) and my 970 to PCIE3 (x8). It needs to be in this order because I don't have enough clearance in PCIE1 for the 970 with backplate.

 

Upon turning PC on again, I saw that both cards were x16 and x8, much better than x4 and x4! I also ended up plugging two of my 4 monitors INTO the 750TI. and the remaining two in 970. From here on, the problems started.

 

The next day, the pc became very temperamental when restarting or turning on fresh. Often, not booting at all and simply shutting down. I reset my bios, then installed the newer bios (asrock x99 extreme4). I removed the 750ti, re-installed the driver for my 970, restarted the system a few times since then, and it seems to be working fine.

 

>>>>>To add, right before I turned it on, I unplugged all monitors except the one in the GTX 750 TI, and turned it on with JUST the 750 TI having a monitor output. Windows gave me some kind of error when trying to start, which I had to continue through and restart again in order to try to get into my BIOS once more (it boots extremely fast and It misses sometimes). So, this could have been what killed everything. 

 

What the hell could have been happening!? Don't they use the same driver? Was my computer just confused as to how it should deal with the two cards? 

 

I'd love insight on this!

[Bananasplit_00]

i didnt even know you could have a dedicated physX card so i have no clue but something you did before shutting down your PC obviuasly broke it

[Limitless100]

i didnt even know you could have a dedicated physX card so i have no clue but something you did before shutting down your PC obviuasly broke it

Yup, when you have two nvidia cards it's an option. Yeah exactly, it seems one of the changes I mad before shutting down / turning on in the AM screwed something up.

 

To add, right before I turned it on, I unplugged all monitors except the one in the GTX 750 TI, and turned it on with JUST the 750 TI having a monitor output. Windows gave me some kind of error when trying to start, which I had to continue through and restart again in order to try to get into my BIOS once more (it boots extremely fast and It misses sometimes). So, this could have been what killed everything. 

[DildorTheDecent]

What slots are you using? I'd try these two if i were you. The middle one can be funky i imagine becasue it might be linked to the M.2 or whatever port. 

[spoiler=]

[Oskar94a]

Have you tried to only have one monitor plugged into the 970? maybe a dedicated physx card can't do video output?

[Limitless100]

What slots are you using? I'd try these two if i were you. The middle one can be funky i imagine becasue it might be linked to the M.2 or whatever port. 

[spoiler=]

 

Hey, yup those are the two slots I was using. That is PCIE1 and PCIE3. But unfortunately I can't fit my 970 100ME in PCIE1, so the 750 TI had slot 1. Although IDK why that would be an issue.

Have you tried to only have one monitor plugged into the 970? maybe a dedicated physx card can't do video output?

During this time period of issues, I was barely able to get anything to work every. Since then I reset CMOS, updated BIOS, removed 750 TI, and left the 970 in PCIE3 alone. All monitors are now connected to the 970 without issue. I've even restarted a few times, which would have caused the issue to begin yesterday.

 

When they were both in the system, at first I had all monitors in my 970, then I moved to splitting two monitors to 970, 2 monitors to 750. Which could have possibly contributed to the issue?

[DildorTheDecent]

Hey, yup those are the two slots I was using. That is PCIE1 and PCIE3. But unfortunately I can't fit my 970 100ME in PCIE1, so the 750 TI had slot 1. Although IDK why that would be an issue.

During this time period of issues, I was barely able to get anything to work every. Since then I reset CMOS, updated BIOS, removed 750 TI, and left the 970 in PCIE3 alone. All monitors are now connected to the 970 without issue. I've even restarted a few times, which would have caused the issue to begin yesterday.

 

When they were both in the system, at first I had all monitors in my 970, then I moved to splitting two monitors to 970, 2 monitors to 750. Which could have possibly contributed to the issue?

You easily get the 970 in the topmost slot. System would looks much better

[Limitless100]

You easily get the 970 in the topmost slot. System would looks much better

 

I have a noctua nh d15 cooler haha, takes up A LOT of room. Unless it's okay for the GPU to be touching the heatsink (assuming I put something between them)??

[Limitless100]

UPDATE**

 

I was able to move my GTX 970 to the top PCIE1 slot. It is very close to the CPU heatsink, but it came with a metal backplate, and I also put two pieces of plastic between the backplate and the CPU heatsink just incase. To help with any extra heat, I installed a fan on my HDD cage to directly cool the GPU.

 

Started up windows, had to reinstall my drivers for some reason, restarted, and all is well! Checked GPU-z and it's in x16 mode. 

 

Next step will be to attempt to put the 750 TI back in when I have the nerve LOL.

 

Anyone here who has added a second Nvidia card for Physx, please share exactly what you did for it to work without fault.

 

This is what I'm guessing

 

Shut down, unplug.

Install 750 TI in PCIE3 (NO MONITORS PLUGGED IN)

Start computer (hopefully it starts).

Re-install my Nvidia drivers through geforce experience or their website. (if I can access geforce experience, set 750 as physX)

Restart again.

If I didn't already have access, now set 750 TI to be dedicated physX.

 

Is that it?

Set