2x NVidia 3090 GPU's in NON-SLI Config?

When configuring Aventum top-priced version with Intel Core i9 12000 Series CPU you offer a choice of 2 RTX3090 GPU's in SLI but all the motherboard choices all are NON-SLI, so why not 2 GPU's Non-SLI?


Edited by ExBrit - 01 Nov 2021 at 5:07am

Edited by ExBrit - 03 Nov 2021 at 5:45am

I was hoping a @DigitalStorm official would notice this thread and give buyers the option of 2x GTX3090 (No SLI) or provide a Motherboard with the ability to support them.

OK, thank you.

@Alex: I indeed did not find any mention of SLI/NVLink on the few Z690 Asus boards I quickly searched the specs and manual on. The X570 boards seem to still mention SLI but little or no NVLink. It really does appear Nvidia has put SLI/NVLink in the closet.

So, is the configurator going to be adjusted? It does still offer dual 3090s but because the consumer/prosumer motherboards all indicate "No SLI" the configurator throws an alert. And if/when it is updated, will there be no dual GPU options for the non-workstation systems?

@ExBrit: Fortunately, software such as Folding@Home does not require SLI or NVLink to utilize multiple GPUs. However, I can't verify as I don't have any multi-GPU systems at the moment. Additionally, the one final benefit of NVLink, combining/sharing VRAM between graphics cards when necessary, is irrelevant for F@H.

What about multi-GPU support? | Folding@Home

On the system in my signature...

Maximum usage over the past 24 hours (HWMonitor):

GPU: 100%
VRAM: 3%
Frame buffer: 79%
Bus/Interface: 23%

Edited by MrCheetah - 04 Nov 2021 at 2:11pm

As a footnote, I see them now offering  this GPU twice at two different prices, so I wonder if they need to make one of those non-SLI

"Other boards" - there is no choice in the configurator unless I change to AMD which I do not want to do.

@JamesAstro: You're correct regarding games utilizing multi-GPUs. However, other modern software (e.g., Folding@Home, crypto mining, Octane Render) is capable of utilizing multi-GPUs without an NVLink bridge or any type of support via the driver. This also includes supporting a mix of GPU models in a single system. Of course, having identical models is beneficial. For example, if you're using Octane for 3D rendering and have a 3090 and 3080 Ti, VRAM usage is limited to 12GB (the lowest amount of all utilized graphics cards). In contrast, you can use an NVLink bridge with dual 3090s to have 48GB of VRAM capacity, but it is a little slower and is limited to certain data types (the rest needs to be stored in system RAM, slower still).

Basically, software developers have been implementing their own multi-GPU management systems for several years already.

P.S. When gaming with multiple GPUs installed... As far as I'm aware, they will be run on whatever graphics card the primary monitor is connected to.

Originally posted by ExBrit As a footnote, I see them now offering this GPU twice at two different prices, so I wonder if they need to make one of those non-SLI

As @Cretae mentioned, the new options allow customers to select Founders Edition cards (Nvidia's own produced) or "Performance" editions, models from companies such as EVGA, Asus, MSI, Zotac that are designed with higher overclocking in mind (e.g., handle more power).

Originally posted by Alex To get full support, we recommend an Intel X299 or AMD Threadripper configuration.

Originally posted by ExBrit "Other boards" - there is no choice in the configurator unless I change to AMD which I do not want to do.

From what I see, both X299 board options are listed with "No SLI". Just three of the Threadripper boards are the only choices. The configurator states PCIe slot spacing is the problem.

@ExBrit: I recommend verifying all of the apps you use have multi-GPU support (outside of SLI/NVLink). If they check out, you'll need to message or call DS if your desire is still to get a rig with multiple graphics cards (at least at the moment).

I dont need nvlink or sli, however I do need two gpus in order to support my 6 monitors. I would like to have the two 3090 but the online ordering says non of the motherboards support sli. Again I don't want the two cards linked. If or can I order any of the motherboards with two 3090 without sli or nvlink?

I can add two cards online. The problem is the motherboards too chose from doesn't allow two card configuration. Online allows two gpus, just no motherboard to use them. They need to fix this and give us an option. They are difficult to get ahold of even when you are practically throwing money at them. They must be terribly backed up

Originally posted by ronh85345 I can add two cards online. The problem is the motherboards too chose from doesn't allow two card configuration. Online allows two gpus, just no motherboard to use them. They need to fix this and give us an option. They are difficult to get ahold of even when you are practically throwing money at them. They must be terribly backed up

Originally posted by Cretae That option is available as a workstation PC. Look in that section. There is no purpose for multiple GPUs for a gaming rig anymore. SLI/NVLink is not supported for gaming, and two running independently won't help. Motherboards, as well as most other PC parts, are very hard to come by, and there's no demand for what you seek in gaming. SLI is over.

Yes, nowadays, reasonable use of multi GPUs is limited to very few tasks. And as also stated, dual card configurations are only available for Workstation PCs.

Meant for high-demand/large professional workloads/flows, workstation components are far from cheap. You would be spending more than $9,000. Some quickly configured examples:

Velox with dual GeForce RTX 3090 FE
Config #: 4269298

Velox with dual liquid cooled GeForce RTX 3090
Config #: 4269312

Aventum with dual liquid cooled GeForce RTX 3090
Config #: 4269334

We are simply advising you to understand and choose components appropriate to your needs.


@Cretae: Did you quote me by mistake?

If you all have a better way to handle six monitors WITHOUT going to a workstation please advise.

I get it.


After quite a bit of searching/research:

• MST hubs are hit and miss
• AMD and Nvidia reportedly restrict (at the firmware or driver level) the maximum number of displays to what is listed in the specs on the RX 6000 and RTX 30 series cards (at the very least). In other words a compatible MST hub is for most intents and purposes useless.
• Intel UHD 770 supports up to four displays (e.g., 12900K).
-- The functionality is motherboard (BIOS) dependent. Unfortunately, I cannot confirm. For example, the Asus Prime Z690-A has one HDMI and one DisplayPort. Keyword searching and skimming the specs as well as the user manual showed no other useful info on the subject. Basically, there is nothing suggesting both ports won't operate simultaneously but also nothing verifying they will.

So, I see two options, both involve contacting Digital Storm:

• Verify with DS whether you can use both HDMI and DisplayPort on the motherboard at the same time -- that would handle two displays. If so, you will be able to order a system with a single graphics card that fits the higher spec monitors' resolutions and your graphics demands.
• Discuss the situation with DS, which (I assume) they would be able to place an order with dual graphics cards in a non-workstation rig. Again, I recommended choosing one graphics card that fits your primary need with the secondary being as plausibly minimal as possible (e.g., RTX 3090 and GTX 1650).

If you want input on other configuration details, including primary graphics card selection, we would need to know your monitors' resolutions, what your intent is (e.g., gaming, video editing), and if gaming, what your preferences/expectations are (e.g., in-game resolution, FPS, quality settings).

Edited by MrCheetah - 19 Jan 2022 at 5:01pm

Originally posted by ronh85345 If you all have a better way to handle six monitors WITHOUT going to a workstation please advise.

Apparently some monitors can be daisy chained. I've never done it, but it sounds like it might solve your problem. Here is an article on the subject:

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/how-to-daisy-chain-monitors

I'm still not sure if you could attach 6 monitors to a single card using this approach, but it might be worth investigating.

Originally posted by MrCheetah @Cretae: Did you quote me by mistake?

Not a chance.