Is cpu overclock mandate for SLI?

videopho

Diamond Member
Apr 8, 2005
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Just upgraded to i5-2500k and will install a pair of 460s for sli on Monday when my 2nd 460 arrives from the Egg.
Previous config: i5-760, gtx480.
The 480 was a mistake on my part since it ran way too hot and too noisy for a 3d-HTPC environments.
I hope the 460 pair will keep the temps, noise down, and load power as well.
CPU overclock intends to be moderate: 3.8-4.2 range to keep the temps down as well.
Or Should I stay with stock speed?
I heard SLI is rough on cpu so overclock is a mandate?
 
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stahlhart

Super Moderator Graphics Cards
Dec 21, 2010
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You heard wrong; it doesn't matter. 3.2GHz and four cores can't handle a pair of GPUs?
 

biostud

Lifer
Feb 27, 2003
19,545
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Unless you have an airy case 460 SLI will probably be hot and bit noisy too.
 

stahlhart

Super Moderator Graphics Cards
Dec 21, 2010
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A 2500k at Stock can handle 2 gtx460 just fine.

I figured that if a pair of Twin Frozr 560s were okay with it (as they are here), then the two 460s ought to be also. Mabye they don't run quite optimally, but I doubt performance-wise it's going to be any different than it would for a single card of the same capability.

I'm actually having much fewer issues with SLI than I thought I was going to. I thought that I was going to be fiddling and tweaking with every single game I had, but so far only JC2 has been troublesome, and that got fixed pretty quickly.

The more significant issues are going to be keeping the case cool and having the correct PSU wattage, I think.