Utilize all GPUS on Grid K1 (Windows 2012)

NVIDIA Virtual GPU Forums Virtual GPU General Discussion
#1

Hi all,

I haven’t really looked too much into this, however I’ve just found myself with a Grid K1 card (I know these are more for VDI/Dekstop setups, but underlying the hardware is still decent) and looking to build a Steam streaming server, however only one GPU is being utilized, I was wondering if I am missing a simple option in the Nvidia control panel or something, to utilize all at once.

Scenario:
Grid K1 card (single) in a Windows server 2012 R2 Machine. - Single card shows as 3 different GPUS (not 4 which i find odd unless I am being silly and misreading - it definately didnt get much of my attention last night- I can only see 3 GPU Cores wherever I look in the system, Nvidia control panel/Device manager so on…)

Goal:
Software to use all GPU’s together, instead of just maxing out one core.
If impossible with windows, is this possible with say SteamOS (Debian based)

I will try a few things myself tonight when i get home - this was just something I started yesterday and haven’t had much time to look into, but I figure id ask here to prevent myself wasting time if it is just not possible.

Thanks,
Brendan.

#2

Edit:
Okay, I have just taken a closer look, and 100% am only seeing 3x Nvidia Grid K1 "Display Adaptors" in Device manager - I find this odd, Any ideas why?

#3

Update:
I should really learn to follow the advice I always give… RTFM. -__-

Okay, so i’ve enabled the other screens as per instructions and the streaming is now faster, however still only seeing 3 devices, is this abnormal or expected? anything I can do, to see/utilise the 4th Core?

Thanks,
Brendan.

#4

More of an update;
thought it was better, turns out its still only using one core, I have no idea. haha.

#5

For only seeing 3 GPU’s not 4 have a look in this thread that you’ve posted in.

https://gridforums.nvidia.com/default/topic/496/only-3-gpus-can-be-used-k1-/

For the OS not using all of the GPU’s, which driver are you using?

Does the OS see all 4 GPU’s in device manager?

Also, it’s important that the OS see’s the GRID card as primary so that Window’s sends all graphics requests to the GRID card. If another display adaptor is listed as primary that will have the majority of graphics calls sent to it.

#6

Hi Jason, thanks for your reply, My apologies for being impatient haha.

Edit: Just as a note, all the below is based on my memory of something I haven’t turned on for nearly a week, so It could be very incorrect - Ill check when I get home and update if neccissary.

Device manager only shows 3GPUS using the Nvidia driver for the TitanX (the download page confirmed support for Grid K1/K2) - I got the link from somewhere I cannot remember where? but im 99.999% sure it showed support for the K1/K2) Note: it does show as 3x Grid K1’s… so I assume its not ‘Wrong’.

Now I look again I noticed a drivers specifically for Grid cards on windows (I really hope this wasn’t there before, or ill kick myself). - (http://www.nvidia.com/download/driverResults.aspx/88811/en-us) So I might try this :P

Based on the comments on the other post - I dont think that will be much help as I am not using an actual server and it has no onboard graphics - Im using a desktop board (Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD3) - This shouldn’t be a problem I wouldnt’ think?

Ill try the actual grid driver tonight and report back - hopefully I just havent a moment…

#7

You definitely need that driver!

The GRID boards are only supported in certified chassis, there’s often BIOS issues with no certified boards and it’s possible that’s what you’re encountering.

That mainboard has built in Graphics (ATI Crossfire) according to it’s spec page,

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3439#sp

You’ll need to disable that in the BIOS. But that will prevent you using an attached monitor and you’ll need to remote in (these boards are created for virtualisation, not workstation use).

I’d also check you’ve got enough power feeding the board. (175W)

#8

Okay, so i’ve looked at this definitely was using the wrong graphics driver (347.88) however an update did nothing to the GPU count - still only seeing 3 and all the controls are the same (however, I have not tested it in a game yet).

there is no onboard graphics at all, I know the specs say it has ati crossfire support, so pretty much i can plug 2x pcie cards into it :P have needed to throw an additional card in the machine to get in to bios and I’ve only been accessing the machine using TeamViewer and only having the Grid Card plugged in.

100% enough power to run the board, i’m going to write this off as unsupported Motherboard as that is most likely the case and ill be fighting a losing battle trying to get it work - However 3 GPU’s Could still maybe work how I want.

If not, what would be the best (affordable wise) board that is Grid supported? (if there is such a thing) or are they just Server boards? - I binned the chassis + mainboard it came from due to not really thinking this through haha.

#9

Hit enter a little quick - Noticed in testing it show the estimated throughput to be over 100mbit, which makes sense 1920x1080 @ give or take 30FPS, i didnt think anything of that, until i realised I was using a junk 10/100 hub instead of my normal gigabit switch.

So im going to try it through gigabit and see what happens, maybe it was just crappy gameplay due to that, ill post findings.

#10

Well no luck, im not sure if coincidence or not, but its actually getting Less FPS using the "grid drivers" - nothing else has changed, exact same setup as previously.

#11

Are you sure you can’t go into the BIOS to disable any integrated graphics? If there’s a HDMI or VGA port on the back, it has an onboard card.

Yes they’re server boards, and they have to go into a certified chassis. They have been implemented in other machines, but that’s absolutely not supported I’m afraid.

http://drtritsch.com/2014/12/my-lab-toolbox-white-label-test-server

#12

100% no display ports on it at all, and nothing in bios to disable it (which makes sense with nothing onboard).

I understand the no support due to not being tested properly but i’m 100% passively cooling this enough in the chassis i am testing in atm, so the card should be okay :P if not, ill bin it if it blows and not be phased, it was free after all ;)
But if it does work, it will go into a 3u whitebox and ill make a special baffle for it.

Im hopefully not taking up any valuable resources away from people with genuine issues, I was really just hoping someone would pop up that has done this/similar to this and could point me in the right direction.

#13

Well, just had a duh moment.
Board is PCIE 2.0… card is 3.0 after a quick google - I think im my own worst enemy at times.

time for a new board!

#14

It’s all subjective, and every issue is a genuine one.

If we come up with an answer, everyone wins :)

#15

I do appreciate you taking time to answer me :) im almost certain my ancient board is my issue so ill replace that and let everyone know the outcome :P

#16

I did just notice the “k1/k2” is “Gen2 compatible” not sure why I didnt notice that before so in theory that isn’t my problem? - or does “Gen2 compatible” mean it will work, but kinda junk like/experience issues like i am?

#17

Can anyone confirm the above; re: whats execpect using Gen2 PCIE as opposed to Gen3?