1080TI SLI not working in Skyrim

[Arkavick]

Title says it all.

I've been trying to enable SLI in Skyrim with my 1080Tis using Nvidia Inspector but nothing I do seems to work.

• OS
  Windows 10
• Processor
  I7 7800X (OC 4.4Ghz)
• Memory
  64GB DDR4 (3000Mhz)
• Motherboard
  Asuz TUF X299 Mk2
• Graphics Card:
  GTX 1080Ti SLI

FPS in game varies from 60 to 100FPS (depending on location) which is very low for my spec.

1080TI SLI should be running at about double this for Skyrim.

Changing resolution does very little to effect performance.

Each GPU is only performing at at 35% usage and my CPU is at 20% usage.

All my drivers are up to date and I am not using ENB. This is just straight vanilla skyrim.

skyrim.ini

 

 

[General]

sLanguage=ENGLISH

 

uExterior Cell Buffer=36

 

[Display]

fShadowLODMaxStartFade=1000.0

fSpecularLODMaxStartFade=2000.0

fLightLODMaxStartFade=3500.0

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=2048

bAllowScreenshot=1

 

[Audio]

fMusicDuckingSeconds=6.0

fMusicUnDuckingSeconds=8.0

fMenuModeFadeOutTime=3.0

fMenuModeFadeInTime=1.0

 

[Grass]

bAllowCreateGrass=1

bAllowLoadGrass=0

 

[GeneralWarnings]

SGeneralMasterMismatchWarning=One or more plugins could not find the correct versions of the master files they depend on. Errors may occur during load or game play. Check the "Warnings.txt" file for more information.

 

[Archive]

sResourceArchiveList=Skyrim - Misc.bsa, Skyrim - Shaders.bsa, Skyrim - Textures.bsa, Skyrim - Interface.bsa, Skyrim - Animations.bsa, Skyrim - Meshes.bsa, Skyrim - Sounds.bsa

sResourceArchiveList2=Skyrim - Voices.bsa, Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa

bInvalidateOlderFiles=0

SInvalidationFile=ArchiveInvalidation.txt

 

[Combat]

fMagnetismStrafeHeadingMult=0.0

fMagnetismLookingMult=0.0

 

[Papyrus]

fPostLoadUpdateTimeMS=500.0

bEnableLogging=0

bEnableTrace=0

bLoadDebugInformation=0

[Water]

bReflectLODObjects=1

bReflectLODLand=1

bReflectSky=1

bReflectLODTrees=1

 

 

 

 

skyrimprefs.ini

 

 

[General]

fBrightLightColorB=1.0000

fBrightLightColorG=1.0000

fBrightLightColorR=1.0000

iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=-1

bEnableStoryManagerLogging=0

 

[imagespace]

bDoDepthOfField=1

iRadialBlurLevel=2

 

[Display]

iBlurDeferredShadowMask=3

fInteriorShadowDistance=3000.0000

fShadowDistance=8000

iShadowMapResolutionSecondary=1024

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=2048

iShadowSplitCount=2

iMaxAnisotropy=1

fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=4600.0000

fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=3600.0000

fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=1e+007

fGamma=1.0000

fDecalLOD2=1500.0000

fDecalLOD1=1000.0000

fSpecularLODStartFade=2000

fShadowLODStartFade=200.0000

fLightLODStartFade=3500

iTexMipMapMinimum=0

iTexMipMapSkip=0

iWaterMultiSamples=0

iMultiSample=0

iShadowMode=3

bTreesReceiveShadows=0

bDrawLandShadows=0

bFull Screen=0

iSize H=1600

iSize W=2560

fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=1.2000

fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=256.0000

fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=2048.0000

fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=2844.0000

fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=1e+007

fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=1e+007

iScreenShotIndex=2

bShadowMaskZPrepass=0

bMainZPrepass=0

iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=25

iMaxDecalsPerFrame=100

bFloatPointRenderTarget=1

sD3DDevice="NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti"

bFXAAEnabled=0

iShadowMapResolution=4096

fShadowBiasScale=0.15

iShadowMaskQuarter=4

iAdapter=0

iPresentInterval=0

 

[Grass]

b30GrassVS=1

fGrassStartFadeDistance=7000

fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=7000.0000

fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=0.0000

[MAIN]

bGamepadEnable=1

bCrosshairEnabled=1

fHUDOpacity=1.000

bSaveOnPause=1

bSaveOnTravel=1

bSaveOnWait=1

bSaveOnRest=1

[GamePlay]

bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=1

bShowQuestMarkers=1

iDifficulty=2

[interface]

bDialogueSubtitles=0

bGeneralSubtitles=0

[Controls]

fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=1.0000

fMouseHeadingSensitivity=0.0125

bAlwaysRunByDefault=1

bInvertYValues=0

bGamePadRumble=1

bMouseAcceleration=1

[Particles]

iMaxDesired=750

[saveGame]

fAutosaveEveryXMins=15.0000

[AudioMenu]

fAudioMasterVolume=1.0000

fVal7=1.0000

uID7=0

fVal6=1.0000

uID6=0

fVal5=1.0000

uID5=0

fVal4=1.0000

uID4=0

fVal3=1.0000

uID3=0

fVal2=0.4000

uID2=466532

fVal1=1.0000

uID1=554685

fVal0=0.8000

uID0=1007612

[Clouds]

fCloudLevel2Distance=262144.0000

fCloudLevel1Distance=32768.0000

fCloudLevel0Distance=16384.0000

fCloudNearFadeDistance=9000.0000

[TerrainManager]

fTreeLoadDistance=75000

fBlockMaximumDistance=250000

fBlockLevel1Distance=70000

fBlockLevel0Distance=35000

fSplitDistanceMult=1.5

bShowLODInEditor=0

[NavMesh]

fObstacleAlpha=0.5000

fCoverSideHighAlpha=0.8000

fCoverSideLowAlpha=0.6500

fEdgeFullAlpha=1.0000

fEdgeHighAlpha=0.7500

fEdgeLowAlpha=0.5000

fTriangleFullAlpha=0.7000

fTriangleHighAlpha=0.3500

fTriangleLowAlpha=0.2000

fLedgeBoxHalfHeight=25.0000

fEdgeDistFromVert=10.0000

fEdgeThickness=10.0000

fPointSize=2.5000

[Trees]

bRenderSkinnedTrees=1

uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=20

[Decals]

uMaxDecals=1000

bDecals=1

bSkinnedDecals=1

uMaxSkinDecals=100

uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor=60

[LOD]

fLODFadeOutMultObjects=15

fLODFadeOutMultItems=15

fLODFadeOutMultActors=15

[Launcher]

bEnableFileSelection=1

bShowAllResolutions=0

uLastAspectRatio=4

[blurShaderHDR]

bDoHighDynamicRange=1

[blurShader]

bUseBlurShader=0

 

 

 

It should also be noted that within Nvidia inspector I did enable Force AFR2 and in Nvidia control panel under SLI rendering mode I have Force alternate frame rendering 2.

I can run other games 4k SLI no problem so I'm fairly sure this isn't a bottleneck issue.

If you have a solution for this, questions, or any suggestions as to what should try please get back to me!

skyrim.ini

 

 

[General]

sLanguage=ENGLISH

 

uExterior Cell Buffer=36

 

[Display]

fShadowLODMaxStartFade=1000.0

fSpecularLODMaxStartFade=2000.0

fLightLODMaxStartFade=3500.0

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=2048

bAllowScreenshot=1

 

[Audio]

fMusicDuckingSeconds=6.0

fMusicUnDuckingSeconds=8.0

fMenuModeFadeOutTime=3.0

fMenuModeFadeInTime=1.0

 

[Grass]

bAllowCreateGrass=1

bAllowLoadGrass=0

 

[GeneralWarnings]

SGeneralMasterMismatchWarning=One or more plugins could not find the correct versions of the master files they depend on. Errors may occur during load or game play. Check the "Warnings.txt" file for more information.

 

[Archive]

sResourceArchiveList=Skyrim - Misc.bsa, Skyrim - Shaders.bsa, Skyrim - Textures.bsa, Skyrim - Interface.bsa, Skyrim - Animations.bsa, Skyrim - Meshes.bsa, Skyrim - Sounds.bsa

sResourceArchiveList2=Skyrim - Voices.bsa, Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa

bInvalidateOlderFiles=0

SInvalidationFile=ArchiveInvalidation.txt

 

[Combat]

fMagnetismStrafeHeadingMult=0.0

fMagnetismLookingMult=0.0

 

[Papyrus]

fPostLoadUpdateTimeMS=500.0

bEnableLogging=0

bEnableTrace=0

bLoadDebugInformation=0

[Water]

bReflectLODObjects=1

bReflectLODLand=1

bReflectSky=1

bReflectLODTrees=1

 

 

 

 

skyrimprefs.ini

 

 

[General]

fBrightLightColorB=1.0000

fBrightLightColorG=1.0000

fBrightLightColorR=1.0000

iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=-1

bEnableStoryManagerLogging=0

 

[imagespace]

bDoDepthOfField=1

iRadialBlurLevel=2

 

[Display]

iBlurDeferredShadowMask=3

fInteriorShadowDistance=3000.0000

fShadowDistance=8000

iShadowMapResolutionSecondary=1024

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=2048

iShadowSplitCount=2

iMaxAnisotropy=1

fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=4600.0000

fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=3600.0000

fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=1e+007

fGamma=1.0000

fDecalLOD2=1500.0000

fDecalLOD1=1000.0000

fSpecularLODStartFade=2000

fShadowLODStartFade=200.0000

fLightLODStartFade=3500

iTexMipMapMinimum=0

iTexMipMapSkip=0

iWaterMultiSamples=0

iMultiSample=0

iShadowMode=3

bTreesReceiveShadows=0

bDrawLandShadows=0

bFull Screen=0

iSize H=1600

iSize W=2560

fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=1.2000

fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=256.0000

fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=2048.0000

fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=2844.0000

fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=1e+007

fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=1e+007

iScreenShotIndex=2

bShadowMaskZPrepass=0

bMainZPrepass=0

iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=25

iMaxDecalsPerFrame=100

bFloatPointRenderTarget=1

sD3DDevice="NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti"

bFXAAEnabled=0

iShadowMapResolution=4096

fShadowBiasScale=0.15

iShadowMaskQuarter=4

iAdapter=0

iPresentInterval=0

 

[Grass]

b30GrassVS=1

fGrassStartFadeDistance=7000

fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=7000.0000

fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=0.0000

[MAIN]

bGamepadEnable=1

bCrosshairEnabled=1

fHUDOpacity=1.000

bSaveOnPause=1

bSaveOnTravel=1

bSaveOnWait=1

bSaveOnRest=1

[GamePlay]

bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=1

bShowQuestMarkers=1

iDifficulty=2

[interface]

bDialogueSubtitles=0

bGeneralSubtitles=0

[Controls]

fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=1.0000

fMouseHeadingSensitivity=0.0125

bAlwaysRunByDefault=1

bInvertYValues=0

bGamePadRumble=1

bMouseAcceleration=1

[Particles]

iMaxDesired=750

[saveGame]

fAutosaveEveryXMins=15.0000

[AudioMenu]

fAudioMasterVolume=1.0000

fVal7=1.0000

uID7=0

fVal6=1.0000

uID6=0

fVal5=1.0000

uID5=0

fVal4=1.0000

uID4=0

fVal3=1.0000

uID3=0

fVal2=0.4000

uID2=466532

fVal1=1.0000

uID1=554685

fVal0=0.8000

uID0=1007612

[Clouds]

fCloudLevel2Distance=262144.0000

fCloudLevel1Distance=32768.0000

fCloudLevel0Distance=16384.0000

fCloudNearFadeDistance=9000.0000

[TerrainManager]

fTreeLoadDistance=75000

fBlockMaximumDistance=250000

fBlockLevel1Distance=70000

fBlockLevel0Distance=35000

fSplitDistanceMult=1.5

bShowLODInEditor=0

[NavMesh]

fObstacleAlpha=0.5000

fCoverSideHighAlpha=0.8000

fCoverSideLowAlpha=0.6500

fEdgeFullAlpha=1.0000

fEdgeHighAlpha=0.7500

fEdgeLowAlpha=0.5000

fTriangleFullAlpha=0.7000

fTriangleHighAlpha=0.3500

fTriangleLowAlpha=0.2000

fLedgeBoxHalfHeight=25.0000

fEdgeDistFromVert=10.0000

fEdgeThickness=10.0000

fPointSize=2.5000

[Trees]

bRenderSkinnedTrees=1

uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=20

[Decals]

uMaxDecals=1000

bDecals=1

bSkinnedDecals=1

uMaxSkinDecals=100

uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor=60

[LOD]

fLODFadeOutMultObjects=15

fLODFadeOutMultItems=15

fLODFadeOutMultActors=15

[Launcher]

bEnableFileSelection=1

bShowAllResolutions=0

uLastAspectRatio=4

[blurShaderHDR]

bDoHighDynamicRange=1

[blurShader]

bUseBlurShader=0

 

 

 

Edited July 30, 2017 by Arkavick

[Arkavick]

UPDATE:

After some bench-marking in Unigine Heaven it seems like my SLI is f*#@ed up or something. I get the same FPS when running SLI with both GPU's maxed and not running SLI with a single GPU maxed. I'm going to try downgrading my drivers to see if that will work.

 

EDIT 2:

Old drivers didn't fix anything. I also tried the old uninstall everything, remove GPU's, and install one at a time trick but that didn't work.

 

If anyone has any ideas as how to fix this please let me know!

Edited July 30, 2017 by Arkavick

[L3s7ing]

I wouldn't recommend running Skyrim with SLI. For me it only leads to problems. As far as I've seen it Bethesdas Engine doesn't really go well with multi-gpu setups (the only game where I notice a difference is FO4) and Skyrim doesn't even has native support for it.

It seems like you created your own Skyrim Profile but I think there already be some profiles that should work with Skyrim (think I used the one for Dark Souls 2 back then with AA turned off).

However, you will be heavily cpu bottlenecked, cause original Skyrim can't really manage multiple cores very well (that's where your low cpu usage comes from). I think it never took more then 3 or 4 of my cores and even then they weren't fully utilized.

Two 1080TIs is just full overkill for some old game like Skryim ^^ one card should easily run this game and I think two wouldn't even run it much better, without mentioning the scaling problems of ENB's and other sli problems in Skyrim.

Also never go above 60 fps, creation engine can't really handle that.

[Arkavick]

I wouldn't recommend running Skyrim with SLI. For me it only leads to problems. As far as I've seen it Bethesdas Engine doesn't really go well with multi-gpu setups (the only game where I notice a difference is FO4) and Skyrim doesn't even has native support for it.

It seems like you created your own Skyrim Profile but I think there already be some profiles that should work with Skyrim (think I used the one for Dark Souls 2 back then with AA turned off).

However, you will be heavily cpu bottlenecked, cause original Skyrim can't really manage multiple cores very well (that's where your low cpu usage comes from). I think it never took more then 3 or 4 of my cores and even then they weren't fully utilized.

Two 1080TIs is just full overkill for some old game like Skryim ^^ one card should easily run this game and I think two wouldn't even run it much better, without mentioning the scaling problems of ENB's and other sli problems in Skyrim.

Also never go above 60 fps, creation engine can't really handle that.

I'm using the SLI profile for skyrim from reddit that everyone uses: https://www.reddit.com/r/skyrimmods/comments/5ahj4m/heres_how_to_enable_sli_in_skyrim_special_edition/

 

The problem at hand is far worse than I had originally thought. My SLI isn't working in general. I tried numerous benchmarks and modern titles and got pretty much this every time:

 

Running in SLI:

GPU1 Average Usage: 90%

GPU2 Average Usage: 90%

FPS: 179.8

 

Running single GPU:

GPU1 Average Usage: 90%

GPU2 Average Usage: 0%

FPS: 186.2

 

While both GPU's are performing at maximum capacity and frequency there's no FPS difference. Its apparent that my SLI isn't set up properly in general otherwise I'd see at least some gain form application to application. Inversely, if it was a bottleneck I should be seeing some down-clock from my GPU's. Do I need to enable SLI in bios or something? This is a new PC so I may have goofed the setup. Please help me fix this. You're my only hope.

 

Side note - 1080TI sli does work in skyrim

Furthermore, I know SLI is overkill for Skyrim but I do need it considering once I mega mod my game that will push my average fps down to 30 if I were to be running 1 card. I plan on capping my frames once I know SLI is actually working. I would have course rather get SLI In general for all my applications first however.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Arkavick

[L3s7ing]

deleted

Edited July 31, 2017 by L3s7ing

[L3s7ing]

Due to me messing up great while I got into confusion (seems to be my bad day, sorry) I redid my post.
SkyrimSE runs fairly good in SLI for (now with the right vanilla settings) with a cpu limitation.
I retested it and my gpu's won't go full in while my cpu is stuck at using only a bit of it's power.
However, you normally should get much better results, cause with lower hardware I could match up with your results. So something must be going wrong with your SLI settings... what exactly I can't see right now.

 

For your general sli problem, if you could name the games you tested that would be helpful.

How your SLI isn't working correctly, in general, I can't say... some games doesn't really scale very well, some even to the negative. The best games for testing SLI in my case were ones designed on the Frostbite Engine, which has genius good sli optimization.
Settings up SLI should be as simply as activating it under your control panel (SLI, Surround, PhysiX config -> maximize 3D performance), no other requirements (except the sli bridge).

[Arkavick]

Due to me messing up great while I got into confusion (seems to be my bad day, sorry) I redid my post.

SkyrimSE runs fairly good in SLI for (now with the right vanilla settings) with a cpu limitation.

I retested it and my gpu's won't go full in while my cpu is stuck at using only a bit of it's power.

However, you normally should get much better results, cause with lower hardware I could match up with your results. So something must be going wrong with your SLI settings... what exactly I can't see right now.

 

For your general sli problem, if you could name the games you tested that would be helpful.

How your SLI isn't working correctly, in general, I can't say... some games doesn't really scale very well, some even to the negative. The best games for testing SLI in my case were ones designed on the Frostbite Engine, which has genius good sli optimization.

Settings up SLI should be as simply as activating it under your control panel (SLI, Surround, PhysiX config -> maximize 3D performance), no other requirements (except the sli bridge).

 

Sorry for the confusion. Im basically having this issue in both Oldrim and Newrim. Oldrim with nvidias settings, Newrim with the suggested reddit settings.

I've been posting my issues all over the web for the past few days on either game, trying to reach as may people as I can who may be able to help. I forgot that this specific post was concerning Newrim and partially confused the two in the process, hence I edited my last reply in the hopes you hadn't seen it yet. You of course had beaten me to the punch but don't worry though, i saw your last reply before you deleted and it is still holds validity.

 

Everything should be enabled: https://ibb.co/e07MUk

Both cards under Load: https://ibb.co/koMY75

 

I've managed to get 3dmark benchmark to run in SLI. I think I can now safely assume this is specifically a settings based issue. The GPUs must not be in the right SLI config for the game. I must have goofed somewhere.

Single GPU Score: https://ibb.co/euuRUk

SLI Score: https://ibb.co/joyyaQ https://ibb.co/euz4FQ

This is how I have 3dmark set up in Nvidia control panel:

https://ibb.co/htJs25

https://ibb.co/fLw1vQ

I also did a Superposition4k benchmark in SLI using the method someone mentioned here: http://www.overclock.net/t/1627726/unigine-superposition-benchmark-now-available-for-download/230#post_26038574

I won't lie. I f***ed the install and lost all my profiles but luckily I had em backed up. Here's the results anyhow.

Single GPU: https://ibb.co/g3O9h5

SLI: https://ibb.co/hkyWvQ

Lets focus on Oldrim for a second because really, Nvidias own settings should be working and their not.

I'll show you exactly how I have Oldrim set up. You may be able to deduce whether something looks f*#@y.

These are my Nvidia Inspector settings for Oldrim:

https://ibb.co/e44J9k

https://ibb.co/jwWbvQ

Downloadable .nip: https://ufile.io/7so5a

And this Is how I have Oldrim set up in Nvidia Contol Panel:

https://ibb.co/em64h5

https://ibb.co/mTHYaQ

Edit: Fixed the broken links. My Bad.

Edit: Ok. Actually fixed for real this time. Sorry²

Edited July 31, 2017 by Arkavick

[L3s7ing]

So step by step.

 

(I'm just comparing them to my settings now ... which should more or less be standard ones - I hope - but either way they are somehow working ^^)

Differences I noticed for the Inspector Oldrim Settings:

Sync and Refresh: Vertical Sync = Forced off

Stereo: I have a lot fewer settings there... and all turned off (still searching why - if I'm correct that are settings for 3D Vision...). <=== (not important I think)

I also have some more settings under "undefined" (in your case unknown) but I think that's due to my older version of the inspector (seems I need to update again).

 

Also in the control panel, the SLI-rendering-mode is set to "recommend (SLI)" instead of the forcing rendering mode and vertical Sync is on "off" ... normally I would recommend setting the rendering mode to "recommend" which should load the sli profile with "alternative rendering mode 2".

 

 

====> Would definitely look into this: And I'm not sure if that's the problem, but you connected your monitor to your second card... normally I would go with the first card. http://imgur.com/kr3GDHW

not so important but I will also mention it (maybe that's why some settings are different): I'm using the 382.53 WHQL drivers (so a bit older).

Edited July 31, 2017 by L3s7ing

[Arkavick]

Weird. 1080 Ti (2) happens to be the top card on the motherboard closest to the CPU. I thought that was suppose to be the primary card. I have no idea why it's showing up as (2).

Arrow pointing at the card my display is plugged in to: https://ibb.co/f1pSkQ

 

When I try switching it to the lower card (1080 Ti (1)) and rebooting my monitor doesn't detect it.

 

Edit: I suck at using hyperlinks. Sorry. Fixed it.

Edited July 31, 2017 by Arkavick

[Arkavick]

Uhhh. I'm having what this guys having. https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/951844/graphics-card-question-geforce-1080-sli-mixed-up-/