Dual eVGA 7800 GTs with different BIOS - Any performance hit or issues?

[compgeek89]

I have an eVGA 7800 GT CO (N517, 470/1100) running in SLI with an eVGA 7800 GT (N518, 445/1070).

Is there any performance hit or issues with this? Would it be better if the 518 was flashed with the CO BIOS?

I just ran 3D Mark 2005 and got 12,330... but then I ran 3D Mark 2006 and only got 4000...

 

[Matt2]

I have a 516 and a 515. The only issue I had was that I couldnt overclock the cores using Coolbits or Rivatuner, but I could overclock the memory jsut fine. They would just default to the 516 speed (470mhz).

I solved this by using Nibitor to flash the BIOS of both cards to 500mhz as the stock speed. Worked great, now if I want to change the memory speed, I just use Coolbits.

Just for reference, when I had SLI on my Venice at 2.7ghz, I got 12,000 in '05 and 6389 in '06.

 

[compgeek89]

Hmm, I got 12,330 with my Opty @ 2.7 and my cards at 495/1190... same settings for 06.

 

[christopherzombie]

I have the same two cards. Your 3DMark06 score seems low. I get 5500 with a 3500+ @ stock. Post a link so we can compare where it's lacking.

 

[compgeek89]

SEEMS low? ROFL, Its way low, I got 4,114 when I used the N518 by itself.

 

[compgeek89]

Thats why Im wondering if it has to do with the BIOS...

 

[Matt2]

Dumb question, but SLI is enabled right?

....thought so.

Flash the 518 with the 517 BIOS.

Wont hurt anything. You can always flash back as well. Just make sure to back up the original.

 

[compgeek89]

lol, dude, how would I get 12,330 in 3D Mark 2005 with a single GT? Of COURSE SLI ie enabled.

Is there a utility to flash the video card BIOS from within windows? I dont have a floppy drive... or can I burn a bootable CD? Will a bootable CD work for flashing BIOS?

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: compgeek89
lol, dude, how would I get 12,330 in 3D Mark 2005 with a single GT? Of COURSE SLI ie enabled.

Is there a utility to flash the video card BIOS from within windows? I dont have a floppy drive... or can I burn a bootable CD? Will a bootable CD work for flashing BIOS?

Well, considering you're getting single card scores in '06, I didnt think the question was that far fetched.

I'm not sure about the bootable CD. Try it.

Just put nvflash.exe on a bootable CD and see if it works.

 

[compgeek89]

should I have ONLY that card in the PC when I flash? Or will it ask me which card to flash?

 

[Matt2]

Do it with only the card you want to flash in the computer.

 

[compgeek89]

One more thing... eVGA has two options, a zip package and just the exe for the floppy... im guessing that the exe extracts itself on the floppy from their instructions.. so that wouldnt work. But maybe the zip package?

 

[compgeek89]

OK, now they both have the same BIOS.... still no change. I'm stumped. I'm using the 82.65 WHQL drivers.

 

[compgeek89]

SOLUTION FOUND!

The 82.65 WHQLs do NOT work in SLI mode in 3D Mark 2006.

The 81.98s solved the problem.

 

[Matt2]

Cool dude.

What are you getting in '06?

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: compgeek89
SOLUTION FOUND!

The 82.65 WHQLs do NOT work in SLI mode in 3D Mark 2006.

The 81.98s solved the problem.

I would recommend against the .98's. Head over to Tweaks R Us and get the 82.60 v2 modded drivers. They are head and shoulders better than the 98's.

If not those then that 82.12 are also better.

-Kevin

 

[compgeek89]

6,292 on the first pass. 495/1200

 

[compgeek89]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: compgeek89
SOLUTION FOUND!

The 82.65 WHQLs do NOT work in SLI mode in 3D Mark 2006.

The 81.98s solved the problem.

I would recommend against the .98's. Head over to Tweaks R Us and get the 82.60 v2 modded drivers. They are head and shoulders better than the 98's.

If not those then that 82.12 are also better.

-Kevin

Am I still gonna have issues?

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: compgeek89

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: compgeek89
SOLUTION FOUND!

The 82.65 WHQLs do NOT work in SLI mode in 3D Mark 2006.

The 81.98s solved the problem.

I would recommend against the .98's. Head over to Tweaks R Us and get the 82.60 v2 modded drivers. They are head and shoulders better than the 98's.

If not those then that 82.12 are also better.

-Kevin

Am I still gonna have issues?

With 3dMark 06.... You SHOULDN'T. They are much better than the 81.98's.

However, you might want to hold out a couple days until the 81.90's are analyzed. They are rumored to fix the Far Cry shadow bug and a couple other things.

At any rate though, if you dont mind updating drivers soon, then i would highly recommend the XG 82.60's.

-Kevin

 

[compgeek89]

Updating drivers takes me like 5min, i dont mind going back and forth.

I have the NGO 82.62s installed, will go test now.