Dual Graphics cards but only 1 gpu's Graphic memory

[crazykilla]

Hello Forum, im CrazyKilla

Yesterday my 2nd GeForce GTS 450 arrived, i put it in the pc, set all the wires up, i even put SLI on my 2 graphics cards, and now i got 2 graphics cards, but the problem is, (GTS 450 has 1gb graphics memory) i got 2 GTS 450s but i only have 1gb of graphics memory, how does this work? i should have 2gb graphics memory!

I know that the graphics card is working as the FPS in my games has boosted a lot and in the "Display Adapters" section in "Device Manager" it shows i have 2 GTS 450s,

Help please, i have latest drivers for both cards, do i need to install any special things or have i done something wrong here?

 

[Hopalong X]

i got 2 GTS 450s but i only have 1gb of graphics memory

What are you seeing or program is showing 1GB of memory?

If you want to see specific graphics info this is the best here.> techPowerUp! :: Downloads

You will see this listed towards top of page.
TechPowerUp GPU-Z v0.6.4
Click to download.

Similar to CPU-Z.

 

[crazykilla]

i downloaded yer lil program der, shows:
Memory Size: 1024 MB
i also played Max Payne 3 and GTA IV: 900/1000 smthn MB graphics memory

 

[Hopalong X]

It would show each GPU seperately.

Click the drop curtain I have circled in yellow in the picture below and both cards should be listed.

Click each one for details on that card. I don't think it will give you a total GB of memory.
It is not like RAM where you get a total of all slots added together.

I think you will find Windows 7 only recognizes the primary GPU in the WEI rating system and other specifications.
Win7 just does not report the SLI for specification purposes.

 

[crazykilla]

well it shows both GTS 450s, the new one by EVGA and old one by PNY, both gpus 1024MB, but why can't i merge these graphics cards and make PC think its like just 1 big GPU, and then shit should work faster and i should have more graphics memory, why should i be limited to 1gb?

 

[Hopalong X]

You are not limited.

Windows just does not report SLI in the specifications.

The second card is used in the games or the FPS -frame rate- would not increase over a single card.

Each video card uses its own memory it is not added together as RAM on a motherboard.

 

[crazykilla]

quick question, can i have both cards inserted into the motherboard, then 1 card connected with the wire and the other just connected to board and to the other card with SLI (1 card with wire 1 without, both connected with SLI)?

And does that mean im stuck with 1gb until i get a GPU with higher graphics memory?

 

[bobkn]

quick question, can i have both cards inserted into the motherboard, then 1 card connected with the wire and the other just connected to board and to the other card with SLI (1 card with wire 1 without, both connected with SLI)?

And does that mean im stuck with 1gb until i get a GPU with higher graphics memory?

SLI requires that the same data be copied into the video RAM of both cards. In effect, your VRAM will be that of a single card. It's done to increase graphics processing performance, not available memory.

If you need more than 1GB, you'll need cards with more VRAM (each).

 

[crazykilla]

damn, i wish i could sell both cards and buy something expensive, is it possible to do so? i mean this new card is taken out the box and used for a while, and the old one is old but maybe i could sell it somewhere?

 

[essenbe]

Sure, you can sell both cards and buy a better one, it's done all the time.

 

[crazykilla]

where do you think i could sell 2 gts 450s, both used and 1 very old, and who would buy these?

 

[UnknownReverent]

where do you think i could sell 2 gts 450s, both used and 1 very old, and who would buy these?

You could try eBay. Not sure if you have Craigslist where you're from.