Multicard scaling Some graphics cards can be linked together to allow scaling graphics processing across multiple cards. This is done using either the PCIe bus on the motherboard or, more commonly, a data bridge. Usually, the cards must be of the same model to be linked, and most low end cards are not able to be linked in this way. AMD and Nvidia both have proprietary scaling methods, CrossFireX for AMD, and SLI (since the Turing generation, superseded by NVLink) for Nvidia. Cards from different chip-set manufacturers or architectures cannot be used together for multi-card scaling. If graphics cards have different sizes of memory, the lowest value will be used, with the higher values disregarded. Currently, scaling on consumer-grade cards can be done using up to four cards. The use of four cards requires a large motherboard with a proper configuration. Nvidia's GeForce GTX 590 graphics card can be configured in a four-card configuration. As stated above, users will want to stick to cards with the same performances for optimal use. Motherboards including ASUS Maximus 3 Extreme and Gigabyte GA EX58 Extreme are certified to work with this configuration. A large power supply is necessary to run the cards in SLI or CrossFireX. Power demands must be known before a proper supply is installed. For the four card configuration, a 1000+ watt supply is needed. With any relatively powerful graphics card, thermal management cannot be ignored. Graphics cards require well-vented chassis and good thermal solutions. Air or water cooling are usually required, though low end GPUs can use passive cooling. Larger configurations use water solutions or immersion cooling to achieve proper performance without thermal throttling.
mUlticarD scaLINg sOMe GrapHics CaRds Can bE lInked TogeTher tO AlLoW ScaLIng graPHIcS proCESsinG across mUlTiple cards. ThIs IS doNe uSIng eitHer tHe PcIe buS oN THe motherboard or, morE commONly, a daTa BrIDgE. usualLy, the carDS muSt Be oF tHe saMe ModEl to be linKeD, and MoSt low EnD CaRds arE NOt AblE tO Be linked iN ThIs WaY. amD anD NvidiA both Have proPRieTaRy scALinG methODs, CrOssFirex FOr amd, and sLi (since The turing genEratiOn, sUPErSedeD By NVlink) for NVIdIA. cards fRom DiFfereNT chiP-sEt MAnufActUreRs Or ARchIteCtures cAnnOt bE USed TogEthER For MultI-Card SCALiNg. iF GRApHIcs CArDs haVe DIfFEreNt sIzeS of memory, thE lowesT vaLuE wilL be uSED, With The hIgheR vAlUes disreGarded. CuRrently, scaLinG oN coNsumer-gRaDe CaRds can be done USiNg Up tO Four caRDS. the use of foUR CarDS REQUires A largE motheRboarD wiTh A pRopeR confiGURation. nvidia's geforce Gtx 590 GrapHIcs cArD cAN be COnfiGUREd iN a fOur-card CoNfIgurAtiOn. As StatEd aBOve, USerS wIll wanT To StIck to cARdS with the Same pErFOrmanCes fOr oPtimal usE. MOtherBoaRds IncludinG aSUs MaxIMUS 3 EXtrEme and GigabytE ga eX58 extreMe aRe CeRTified to WoRK With this confiGuratIoN. A largE poweR SuppLy iS NEcesSary to RUn the CaRds iN sli or crossfIRex. pOWEr deMaNds must bE knOwn befoRe a pRopEr sUppLY IS instalLED. for thE fOur CarD CONfiguraTion, A 1000+ watt SUPpLy is nEEded. With Any relAtively powErFuL graphicS carD, tHERmal management cANnOT be IGnoreD. graphicS cArds rEqUire weLL-vENtEd cHasSis and good tHERmal sOlutioNS. aIr oR wAteR COoLiNg ArE UsUally reqUIReD, thouGh LOw ENd GPus caN use pASsiVe coolIng. lArgeR cOnfIguRAtIons USe waTeR solutiOns or ImMERsion CooLing to acHieVe PropeR PErformance withOut thermal throTtling.