Editing Scalable Link Interface (section)

==SLI modes==

===Split-frame rendering (SFR)===
This analyzes the rendered image in order to split the workload equally between the two GPUs. To do this, the frame is split horizontally in varying ratios depending on geometry. For example, in a scene where the top half of the frame is mostly empty sky, the dividing line will lower, balancing geometry workload between the two GPUs.

===Alternate-frame rendering (AFR)===
Each GPU renders entire frames in sequence. For example, in a two-way setup, one GPU renders the odd frames, the other the even frames, one after the other. Finished outputs are sent to the master for display. Ideally, this would result in the rendering time being cut by the number of GPUs available. In their advertising, Nvidia claims up to 1.9 times the performance of one card with the two-way setup. While AFR may produce higher overall framerates than SFR, it also exhibits the temporal artifact known as [[micro stuttering]], which may affect frame rate perception. It is noteworthy that while the frequency at which frames arrive may be doubled, the time to produce the frame is not reduced – which means that AFR is not a viable method of reducing input lag.

===SLI antialiasing===
This is a standalone rendering mode that offers up to double the [[Spatial anti-aliasing|antialiasing]] performance by splitting the antialiasing workload between the two graphics cards, offering superior image quality. One GPU performs an antialiasing pattern which is slightly offset to the usual pattern (for example, slightly up and to the right), and the second GPU uses a pattern offset by an equal amount in the opposite direction (down and to the left). Compositing both the results gives higher image quality than is normally possible. This mode is not intended for higher frame rates, and can actually lower performance, but is instead intended for games which are not GPU-bound, offering a clearer image in place of better performance. When enabled, SLI antialiasing offers advanced antialiasing options: SLI 8×, SLI 16×, and SLI 32× (for quad SLI systems only).<ref>{{cite web|title=Introducing SLI Antialiasing: The Ultimate in Visual Quality|url=http://www.nvidia.com/object/slizone_sliAA_howto1.html|publisher=Nvidia|access-date=24 November 2014}}</ref>

===Hybrid SLI===
Hybrid SLI is the generic name for two technologies, GeForce Boost and HybridPower.<ref name="Hybrid SLI Technology">{{cite web|title=Hybrid SLI Technology|url=http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybrid_sli.html|publisher=Nvidia|access-date=23 March 2015}}</ref>

GeForce Boost allows the rendering power of an [[Graphics processing unit#Integrated graphics|integrated graphics processor]] (IGP) and a discrete GPU to be combined in order to increase performance.<ref name="Hybrid SLI Technology"/>

HybridPower, on the other hand, is another mode that is not for performance enhancement. The setup consists of an IGP as well as a GPU on [[Mobile PCI Express Module|MXM]] module. The IGP would assist the GPU to boost performance when the laptop is plugged to a power socket while the MXM module would be shut down when the laptop was unplugged from power socket to lower overall graphics power consumption.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2007/06/26/NVIDIAs-hybrid-sli-attacks-amds-powerxpress | title=NVIDIA's Hybrid SLI attacks AMD's PowerXPress | publisher=[[The Inquirer]] | first=Theo | last=Valich | date=2007-06-26 | access-date=2007-09-26 | url-status=unfit | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071004132036/http://www.theinquirer.net/en/inquirer/news/2007/06/26/nvidias-hybrid-sli-attacks-amds-powerxpress | archive-date=2007-10-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/video/display/20070625083756.html | title=NVIDIA Readies Hybrid SLI Technology | publisher=X-bit labs | first=Anton | last=Shilov | date=2007-06-25 | access-date=2007-10-17}}</ref> Hybrid SLI is also available on desktop Motherboards and PCs with PCI-E discrete video cards. NVIDIA claims that twice the performance can be achieved with a Hybrid SLI capable IGP motherboard and a [[GeForce 8 series|GeForce 8400 GS]] video card.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2348&Itemid=1 | title=Hybrid SLI first for AMD | first=Faud | last=Abazovic | date=2007-08-08 | access-date=2007-10-17 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071114044851/http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2348&Itemid=1 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-11-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Growth Opportunities. |url=http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/irol/11/116466/Analyst07/JenHsun.pdf |publisher=[[NVIDIA]] |page=9 |date=2007-06-20 |access-date=2007-10-17}}</ref>

HybridPower was later renamed as [[Nvidia Optimus]].