Referencing an old thread I made: http://forums.evga.com/tm.aspx?m=2065760
 
I called tech support last night to try to find out what the deal is with these PRO bridges and what I am assuming to be a problem with high pixel clocks. Basically I was shunned away because I'm "overclocking" my monitor and apparently that's the default answer to give - it's your fault because it's not experiencing typical use... but the monitor isn't causing it, and who's to say this isn't "normal" use of the monitor?! Overlord sells them like this, the hardware is capable, and there's nothing to say I shouldn't be doing it. Thus, the response is not a fair answer to my problem, and I believe more users are going to experience this when higher resolutions and refresh rates are more mainstream.
 
My setup in the thread at the top included the specs listed in my sig, except I had two GTX 780's instead of the Ti's. I'm using a Catleap (not 2B, but upgraded PCB's from Overlord) at 110~Hz for the most part.
 
Let me re-iterate what is going on here. In some stressful applications (NS2, BF4, Metro, Crysis, 3dmark - but not Valley, interestingly enough) my screen is tearing/flickering at a certain point and everything below that point, as seen in those old screenshots. The problem immediately goes away when I drop the refresh rate & consequently the pixel clock (96Hz is working fairly well), disable fullscreen, or disable SLI.
 
Well how do we know it isn't the monitor? Because it never did this before, for a year and a half that I used it in this instance (w/o the Pro bridge). Also, when SLI is disabled, but still running at 110+Hz, I have ZERO problems. I've also replaced the GPU's, changed drivers, timing settings, and everything in between. So CLEARLY it has to be this bridge.
 
Is that not conclusive enough? Well, again in my old thread, a member posted having the same problem, only being resolved by a standard ribbon SLI bridge. And look here!: http://forums.evga.com/FindPost/2109934
 
Again. I'm not crazy. I'm not isolated. This is an issue, and it needs attention.
 
1440p in the range of 110Hz requires a pixel clock of about 430MHz.
And if I'm not mistaken, 4K at 60Hz requires one of at least 500MHz.
 
What can one deduce from those numbers? Assuming the pixel clock range I'm at isn't simply an anomaly, other users are likely experience this issue as well at 4K and 60Hz when running SLI with a Pro bridge.
 
So why on EARTH are EVGA's $30 bridges not working as well as a $5 ribbon bridge? Is there not a standard specification for these bridges to support this much bandwidth? Are they going to need to be updated for this new technology? I have no idea, and I'm hoping someone can enlighten me, because I'm probably stuck with a $30 piece of eye candy that isn't going to work as it should.

In his other post, he did swap for a flex...
quote
"I swapped the SLI bridge to a flexible one, and the issue disappeared there, but remained in BF4"
 
Some of his games issues went away and some did NOT
So THAT would lead to thinking there is more than just the bridge causing the issue.
 
Also it should be noted that just because you "set" a certain clockrate, does not mean that that is the "true" rate being fed the display by the add-in board.
And the monitor is 18 months old as well
 
quote
"Let me re-iterate what is going on here. In some stressful applications (NS2, BF4, Metro, Crysis, 3dmark - but not Valley, interestingly enough) my screen is tearing/flickering at a certain point and everything below that point, as seen in those old screenshots. The problem immediately goes away when I drop the refresh rate & consequently the pixel clock (96Hz is working fairly well)
 
Completely remove the Pro bridge and ONLY test with the flex
You should have -ZERO- issues, if any occur (and you posted some did) then the problem in not just the Pro bridge... other factors are in play.
--------------
Also you have NOT posted the testing conditions for the cards factory clocks (core/mem) they should be at 100% STOCK for testing
--------------
*there is also the "possibility" that one of your cards is more powerful than the other under heavy FB loading, if so that card should NOT be in the primary slot with the monitor connected, the weaker card should be 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

That would be the best way to test
Sorry your having problems bro, you have a awesome setup there!

Jacob, I just replied to Dave's email with the following information:
 
"I remember reading in the patch thread that it wasn't really needed for the newer cards, so I haven't been using it. EDIT: I may have mis-assumed that this also applied to SLI configurations. Either way, it still isn't working with the regular and full versions of the patch.
 
Nonetheless I attempted it, and it made things slightly better, but did not fix the problem. In fact my PC still ended up freezing and needing to be reset as usual, just not as quickly. The problem is more pronounced the higher the refresh rate goes (so it will crash quicker and have more tearing/issue at 119Hz vs 100Hz).
 
I understand where the idea of monitor degradation comes from, but none of the hundreds (if not thousands) of users who have been running monitors like this for longer than me have reported any issues.
 
I also would still like to point out that as soon as I disable SLI, I can run any of the applications perfectly fine at 119Hz."

Thanks for looking into it. I will be sure to update ASAP with the flexible bridge.
 
Unfortunately, my z87 Sabertooth only offers me single slot or zero slot spacing, with the zero slot forcing one card to run at PCI-E 2.0 x8 instead of 3.0 (I wouldn't consider this appropriate testing, nor a solution as it would look strange and not light up).

Still have yet to receive any response or acknowledgment from EVGA regarding my findings...

I didn't think yesterday would be a holiday for them. I also emailed someone who is supposed to be assisting with the issue but have not heard back.
 
At this point, I couldn't care less about what they do to investigate. It's a problem and I'm convinced by my proven case, and the other cases which have been posted here on the forum. My concern is whether or not I'm going to be refunded or given a product that should work like others do.

Update,
 
We believe that we have a solution for this, please contact chrisb@evga.com if you experience this issue.

You will not find any other GPU vendor that would take the time to replicate, investigate, and solve this type of issue.
 
Big PROPS to JF

JacobF,
 
So I am planning on running 2/3 of the GTX 780 TI Classified and I was planning on ordering with it the 100-2W-0021-LR to use for a while then when I get the 3rd card the 100-3W-0031-LR.  The monitors I have been planning on are supposed to be out in the fall with the G-Sync that are 2560x1440 with 120+Hz refresh rate and I was going to build a surround setup with them.  I take it I should hold off on buying the bridges until they are updated or? 
 
Thanks

I just spoke with Chris on the phone. Apparently a slight revision was made, and you will need to contact him directly to receive a new unit if you are experiencing the issue.
 
Big thanks to EVGA for stepping up and resolving the problem. I'm ordering my new bridge tomorrow.

Dammit I just ordered a Pro SLI bridge from frozencpu and I also have an OVerlord Tempest 2560x1440 @120Hz...     =(

So if I ordered the bridge from somewhere else, can I still get a "warranty" swap?

My classies don't like the bridge at all. Is there way I can just send them back? I don't mind the lost money or anything, but I would like to avoid just tossing them in the trash. I will also ship them to anyone that wants them. I have two of the 60mm 2 way bridges.

PM me if you would like one. They are revision 1 bridges.

Hmm I'd like to get such a Pro bridge for my 3 ref 780's, but I must admit a lot of those issues with both illumination and performance penalties do put me off a bit, so I may just continue with my standard 3 way bridge... Still they look great - when it all works.