Gigabyte GA-M55SLI-S4 Setup of SLI Scalable Link Interface Configuration, Before You Begin

1-6 Setup of SLI (Scalable Link Interface) Configuration

NVIDIA nForce4 SLI offers blistering graphics performance with the ability to bridge two NVIDIA SLI- ready PCI ExpressTM graphics cards! The SLI design takes advantage of the increased bandwidth of the PCI ExpressTM bus architecture, features hardware and software innovations within NVIDIA GPU (graphics processing unit) and the NVIDIA nForce4 chipset. Together, the NVIDIA SLI technologies work seamlessly to allow two graphics cards to operate in parallel and share the work and deliver heart- pounding PC performance. This section introduces steps to configure an SLI system on the GA-M55SLI-S4 motherboard.

Before You Begin--

I. Understanding the GIGABYTE SLI Jumper:

You can find an SLI switch module socket inserted with an SLI switch module between the first and second PCIE x16 slots. 1-2 close for SLI mode, 2-3 close for Normal mode.

English

1-2 close: SLI mode

NV_SLI2NV_SLI3

1

1 NV_SLI4 NV_SLI1 NV_SLI5

2-3 close: Normal mode (Default)

NV_SLI2NV_SLI3

1

1

NV_SLI4 NV_SLI1 NV_SLI5

SLI Mode:

In SLI Mode, the two PCIE x16 slots can run in two modes. You can either use them as two individual x8 slots or install two SLI-ready PCIE x16 cards (Example: GIGABYTE GV-NX66T128D) of the same model and link them together with an SLI bridge connector to enable SLI function to provide enhanced performance.

Normal Mode:

Only the first PCIE x16 slot is available and can operate at up to x16 in Normal Mode.

As not all PCIE slots are available while in SLI or Normal Mode, please refer to the table below to check PCIE slots available in SLI or Normal Mode before installation.

	PCIE_1	PCIE_16_1	PCIE_2	PCIE_3	PCIE_16_2
SLI Mode	Available	Available *	Not available	Available	Available *
Normal Mode	Available	Available	Available	Available	Not available

“ * ” can run at up to PCIE x8 mode.

Please double check SLI jumper setting when it's not available might damage the system.

- 17 - Hardware Installation