You'll need multiple available PCI Express expansion slots to fully exploit SLI capabilities.
SLI technology allows multiple video cards to work together to increase graphics performance. SLI is a proprietary Nvidia technology, so only video cards with Nvidia Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) can be linked with SLI technology.
Performance
SLI capable video cards are available with different amounts of on-board memory, maximum video resolution and processor speeds. Increases in these variables will increase video card performance.
Configuration
SLI video cards available as of November 2010 are compatible with PCI Express expansion slots. Output ports will vary among different cards and so will power connectors. Make sure you consider these factors when picking an SLI video card.
Size
SLI video cards come in different sizes. Some SLI video cards will not physically fit into certain computer cases. This factor becomes especially important when considring that two or more SLI video cards might be installed in the same case.
Requirements
SLI video cards will only work with SLI-compliant motherboards. And, as with other video cards, SLI cards have certain power requirements, so all power supplies may not be able to supply sufficient wattage to power one or more SLI video cards.
Types
While SLI is an Nvidia technology, several card manufacturers include this technology in their video cards. So cards that have Nvidia SLI GPUs can be made by a host of other companies. Some card brands may work more reliably with certain motherboard brands.
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