GIGABYTE AMD Socket AM2 Processor Motherboard GA-M55SLI-S4 - Manual (Page 17)

Hardware Installation - 17 -
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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 Express
TM graphics cards! The SLI design takes advantage of the increased bandwidth of
the PCI Express TM 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.
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.
NV_SLI3 NV_SLI2
NV_SLI1 NV_SLI4 NV_SLI5
1
1
NV_SLI3 NV_SLI2
NV_SLI1 NV_SLI4 NV_SLI5
1
1
1-2 close: SLI mode
2-3 close: Normal mode (Default)
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.
“ * ” can run at up to PCIE x8 mode.
SLI Mode
Normal Mode
PCIE_1 PCIE_16_1 PCIE_2 PCIE_3 PCIE_16_2
Available Available * Not available Available Available *
Available Available Available Available Not available
Please double check SLI jumper setting when it's not available might damage the system.