WTF is going on with SLI?

The video opens with Linus tackling a question that has sparked a lot of confusion: is multi-GPU SLI configuration still viable with the GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 era, and can you actually run three or four GPUs together? The host reads Nvidia white papers and shares the blunt reality that three and four-way SLI are not for standard gaming, but they are still relevant for benchmarking and certain professional-grade tasks. He explains that Nvidia has moved away from enthusiast unlocks for multi-GPU configurations, and that developer support for explicit multi-GPU scaling in games is inconsistent, which means benchmarks in normal gaming will not reflect three or four-way setups. The discussion then shifts to practical considerations: the new high bandwidth SLI bridge is not required for many resolutions, with the exception of 5K and Surround gaming where it is necessary. He notes that Nvidia will alert users if their bridge is insufficient for a given setup, and that in practice users should plug in and test, as real-world results depend on the game and application, with no universal, all-encompassing performance claim. The host then delves into the two alternative modes for GPU cooperation, MDA (multi-display adapter) and LDA (link display adapter) explicit modes, and how they differ from the default LDA implicit mode used by SLI. He explains that MDA can combine mixed-brand GPUs and leverage DirectX 12 shared fences, potentially sharing system memory and enabling more complex GPU configurations, while LDA explicit lets SLI bridge-based communication implement more robust data transfer between GPUs. The conclusion emphasizes a pragmatic stance: for most gamers, sticking to two GPUs is the safer choice, since outcomes are highly game-specific and the added expense may not translate into consistent, meaningful gains across titles. The video wraps with general guidance, encouraging discussion on the forum and teasing additional content on advanced topics like overclocking and more nuanced GPU configurations, while acknowledging the need to wait for more DirectX 12 multi-GPU data to form clearer guidelines.

Topics · technology · computer_hardware · gaming · multigpu