GPU NVIDIA SLI mode or not? Wich is best for performance rendering in Maya 2017?

[BenediZ]

Hi,

I have technical GPU configuration question:

I have two compatible Graphics Cards (GTX 1080 and 1080ti from NVIDIA), which can be used together in SLI mode.

I want to use them mainly for MAYA, Arnold and Vray (and some other applications two).

But should I connect them in SLI mode (which means only to have the half GPU memory as far as I know)

or leave them as two single cards inside one computer?

People tell me different opinions… some say SLI mode would be worse than using them as single cards, but nobaody knows exactly…

Many thanks in advance!

[faline.custodio.da.silva]

@BenediZ

Maya does not support SLI configuration as far as I know. Arnold is a CPU based renderer so there are no GPU requirements.

[dgorsman]

... and, while the newest releases of some CPU-based renderers can offload some work to a GPU they only support the workstation Quadro/Tesla lines.

GPU-based renderers typically don't support SLI either.  While they may still distribute operations across multiple cards the one with the least capacity determines the limits.  If there are two 8 GB cards you have to fit everything within that 8 GB space, not 16; if you have one 4 GB and one 8 GB, then everything must fit within the 4 GB space; and so on.  Standard operation would be to use the least-capable card to drive the display while the other does the rendering.

[vfxronin]

So Can Maya Utilises more then one card (e.g. 4 to1080TI for example)?

My main use for this will be loading Large Object (a Lot) with Very high poly count! (Crazy high! )

[mspeer]

Hi!

Already Answered in your new thread:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/maya-forum/multiple-graphics-card-and-maya/td-p/7333302

[24carrott]

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@dgorsman wrote:

... and, while the newest releases of some CPU-based renderers can offload some work to a GPU they only support the workstation Quadro/Tesla lines.

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That's not entirely true. Maya might only test and certify Quadro/Tesla lines, but GTX cards 100% work for GPU rendering.  We've used it on projects using both Vray GPU and Octane GPU rendering.  Octane actually prefers GTX for the most part due to more cuda cores.  

[dgorsman]

Those are GPU, not CPU, renderers, aren't they? 

[24carrott]

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@dgorsman wrote:

Those are GPU, not CPU, renderers, aren't they? 

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haha you're right, i guess i misread what you wrote.  I was focusing on OP trying to run vray, My apologies, friend.

[JabbaTheNut]

@BenediZ,

Multiple GTX 1080 or 1080Ti cards should work fine with V-Ray RT.  I believe this applies as well to the CPU/GPU hybrid tech they are rolling out. 

Regarding an SLI configuration, Vlado at Chaos Group posted the following:

"The SLI interface is designed so that several cards can exchange information and synchronize the rendering of graphics; however in OpenCL and CUDA, the application controls each GPU separately and independently so there is no need for SLI at all. V-Ray knows that you have two or more graphics cards and takes care of distributing the work among them."

The thread for that discussion is HERE .

I think the take-away is that SLI is not needed, but you can use it if you want.  There is no added benefit to SLI.

I have two GTX 1080Ti cards (not in SLI) and they work great.

[BenediZ]

Many thanks for your replies!

Yes, meanwhile I have also two GTX1080ti...

Would be great if everybody would leave a new post if there come new enhancements...

Rendertime takes still too much of our life time 😉