gtx980 Quick question about GPUs and SLI

[j.ssuarez]

Hello everyone!

 

I have a quick question. I work in the Visual Effects and 3D industry and do a lot of Octane Render rendering (GPU based rendering engine for 3D software).

 

I currently have a GTX 980 and it performs great but I would like to increase my rendering power soon. So my question is. Do I have to get the same exact card? to be able to use two or more GPUs do they have to be in SLI?

 

I'm confused about how this works. On one side I am thinking I could get the same exact card, but for $10-$20 I could get a GTX 980 Ti... so could I have the 980 and 980 Ti running on my system? I know these two can't SLI.

 

I appreciate the help guys!

 

Thanks!

[HKZeroFive]

For SLI to work, you need the exact same card. So a GTX 980Ti will not work with a GTX 980. You must get another GTX 980.

[Tesel]

However, for some functions, you can use different cards simultaneously. I believe rendering is one of those applications, correct me if I'm wrong.

[SeanAngelo]

22 minutes ago, Meet_Nomad said:

Hello everyone!

 

I have a quick question. I work in the Visual Effects and 3D industry and do a lot of Octane Render rendering (GPU based rendering engine for 3D software).

 

I currently have a GTX 980 and it performs great but I would like to increase my rendering power soon. So my question is. Do I have to get the same exact card? to be able to use two or more GPUs do they have to be in SLI?

 

I'm confused about how this works. On one side I am thinking I could get the same exact card, but for $10-$20 I could get a GTX 980 Ti... so could I have the 980 and 980 Ti running on my system? I know these two can't SLI.

 

I appreciate the help guys!

 

Thanks!

You have to get the same exact card for it to work in SLI. You cannot pair a 980 and 980Ti and expect SLI to work, no.

[LizardsAreOP]

you have to get the same card with AMD only a couple cards are compatible with different card cf (7970 and 280x) but if you want really fast render times i would recommend a Quadro but those are pricey AF

[jjohnthedon1]

Sell ur 980 and get 2 980tis and Ul be smoking hot at rendering

[j.ssuarez]

On 7/7/2016 at 8:09 AM, HKZeroFive said:

For SLI to work, you need the exact same card. So a GTX 980Ti will not work with a GTX 980. You must get another GTX 980.

Thanks for your reply!

 

I guess what I need to know is if SLI is going to help at all with Octane Render, or if I should take advantage of the new Pascals.