Multi-GPU Returns – Nvidia unveils “AI SLI” to power DLSS 5
Return of the King – Multi-GPU PC gaming is ready for a comeback
During the company’s DLSS 5 reveal, Nvidia teased something massive. When demoing their next-generation DLSS features, Nvidia were running multi-GPU systems. While Nvidia confirmed that DLSS 5 will be usable on single-GPU systems later this year, this demo highlighted something bigger: the return of multi-GPU PC gaming. Nvidia AI SLI is coming.
The next generation of multi-GPU performance will arrive soon. You may have seen that many new PC PSUs are shipping with multiple 12V-2×6 power connectors. Nvidia has been laying the groundwork for this for a while. PSU manufacturers are on board, just like they were with 12V-2×6.
Unlike prior implementations of multi-GPU rendering, AI SLI doesn’t split rendering work between two GPUs or force GPUs to render alternative frames. AI SLI uses one GPU for rendering and one GPU for AI. AI upscaling, Frame Generation, and DLSS 5 on one GPU, the real game on the other. This gives games access to more AI throughput, enabling higher levels of upscaling and larger frame generation multipliers.
AI SLI is a working title. Personally, I prefer SL-AI. The long and short of it is this; we have figured out how we can get people to spend more money on GPUs. Just get people to buy two of them! It’s time to crank those Frame Generation multipliers up baby!
– John Nvidia
AI SLI opens the doors to more than just boosted AI capabilities
With AI SLI, Nvidia doesn’t want to return to the days of classic SLI. No alternative frame rendering or overly complex job sharing. Instead of pushing all work to a single GPU, discrete tasks can be completed on separate pools of compute. For now, Nvidia has split AI and “real gaming” workloads. Separate tasks on separate GPUs.
When asked what else AI SLI could do, it was also suggested that AI SLI could bring back PhysX. With multiple GPUs, there is ample computational power to enable larger, more complex games.
AI Physx? Sure! I’m sure the boffins down at the lab and vibe code something for that. We could probably convince some people to get a third GPU for that! Great idea!
– John Nvidia
Will AI SLI require matching GPUs?
Since we are on the topic of PhysX, I wondered if Nvidia’s AI SLI tech required matching graphics cards. In other words, do I need two RTX 5090 GPUs, or could I pair an RTX 5090 with something more affordable, perhaps an RTX 5070? If we remember the glory days of PhysX, PC gamers could use their old Nvidia GPUs as PhysX cards when they bought a newer one.
The short answer is no. The long answer is noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Unfortunately, that’s not how the tech works. I asked for an explanation, but I was told the following.
Nah, it has to be matching GPUs. Why? Just cuz… Can’t have people saving money by using a less expensive GPU for just AI… Where’s the profit in that?
– John Nvidia, a totally real person
When will Nvidia AI SLI be released?
Now for the big question: when will AI SLI be released? When should people start buying their second RTX 5090? Sadly, we were unable to get a firm release date for Nvidia’s next-generation SLI iteration. However, we did hear this from John Nvidia.
When will we release it? Well, it’s ready now. We’ll probably wait for the AI bubble to start bursting a little. When that happens, we will need the boost in sales. Erm, I mean… erm… Forget I said that.
The AI train will never stop. Who said anything about it stopping? AI is the future! Right? I really hope Jensen didn’t hear that…
– John Nvidia, a work of fiction
Happy April 1st to all who celebrate. As you can guess, this article is a load of nonsense. John Nvidia isn’t real, and neither is AI SLI. NVIDIA, if you unveil AI SLI in the future (please don’t), I expect royalty payments. As always, take everything you read today with a grain of salt.
You can join the discussion on AI SLI on the OC3D Forums.
