What Is an SLI Graphics Card?
SLI is an Nvidia technology used to link multiple graphics cards for improved gaming performance.
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History
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SLI (Scalable Link Interface) is Nvidia's solution to graphically demanding games for hardcore gamers. SLI was originally developed by 3dfx as Scan-Line Interleave in 1998. Nvidia acquired SLI technology when it purchased 3dfx, and it presented a reworked version of the technology in 2004. Since its reintroduction, SLI has undergone several revisions and advancements.
Concept
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The SLI concept is the same as having multiple processors (and now multicore processors) in a computer. By linking graphics cards together, they can split the work and render frames much more quickly, reducing lag.
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How It Works
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Graphics cards linked in SLI can work in two ways.
Split Frame Rendering: Each card renders half of a 3D frame, and then both halves are put together to form the whole frame.
Alternate Frame Rendering: Many prefer this method, where each card alternates in rendering a whole frame, i.e., in frame sequence ABABABABABABAB, card A would render every frame A and card B would render every frame B. This gives the cards more time to render each frame and reduces lag.
SLI Advancements
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SLI was originally used to link two graphics cards but is now able to support three- and four-card solutions. However, in order to use three-way or "quad SLI," one must have a motherboard with the corresponding number of PCI-E slots.
Rival: CrossFire
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Nvidia's rival, ATI, also has a multigraphics card technology, called CrossFire. It works on the same essential principles of graphics processors working in tandem to render scenes. CrossFire and SLI are expensive solutions targeted at serious gamers.
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