What Does SLI-Ready Mean?

NVIDIA® introduced its Scalable Link Interface™, or SLI, in the summer of 2004. A new addition to a system’s traditional core components of a motherboard, a CPU, RAM and a video card, SLI enables users to install two identical video cards and have them operate simultaneously for a boost in image rendering performance. Today, SLI has moved into three-way and quad territory for even more powerful results.

Why Do I Want SLI?

The goal of SLI is simple: it’s a cost-effective way to maximize your system’s overall performance. Typically, a single, significantly more powerful video card can cost more than two less powerful cards. Plus, two, three or four cards can be purchased separately (as upgrades), defraying the cost of creating an expensive gaming system. This is a major advantage for gamers who are on a budget or who want to keep an older machine usable for a longer period of time.

How Does SLI Technology Work?

NVIDIA’s SLI-ready Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) take advantage of the increased bandwidth of the PCI Express bus architecture. Combining two of the same NVIDIA SLI-Ready graphics cards in one system with an nForce SLI MCP (motherboard) gives users up to double the graphics performance. Connected by the SLI connector, which ships with all SLI-Ready motherboards, each GPU has a maximized connection pathway, and can leverage additional GPUs for top-speed performance. SLI Technology also can scale both geometry and fill rate performance for multiple GPUs and output in both digital and analog formats for the highest image quality.

Today, with 2-way, 3-way and quad-SLI capabilities, enthusiasts can buy an SLI-ready motherboard and GPU and build the system of their dreams at their pace.

Why Buy XFX SLI-Ready Components?

Two reasons: Quality and Warranty.

XFX’s SLI-ready components have been rigorously tested and have undergone a certification process to ensure unmatched system stability and platform capability. Additionally, SLI-ready GPUs purchased in North American (U.S. and Canada) are covered by XFX’s unprecedented Double Lifetime Warranty, which protects buyers from potential defects in workmanship for the life of the video card. The Warranty is even transferable should the original buyer sell or give away the card.