Need crossfire help plz!

[Tim]

Hey all,

So I now have 2 5870 ATI video cards and I can't seem to get the crossfire to work correctly.

I plugged them both in, put a single bridge on the first port, and my operating system sees them. The CCC software has them both set in crossfire, so that seems to be correct.

However, nothing seems to be using the second GPU!

If I open up GPU-Z, it always shows the second GPU load being 0%. No matter what games I play, the second GPU always says 0%, and my games FPS never, ever go up.

My config:

Intel i7/i9
12G ram
2x ATI 5870 each in pci-x16
850W PS (measured spike peak less than half of PS, so I have way enough power)
Gigabyte UD5 motherboard



Any ideas on what I can do to figure this out?

[Tim]

Another thing, how do I know if Crossfire is even working? Right now the only thing I know to do is run GPU-Z and select the sensor between GPU1 and GPU2. So for now, all I can see is GPU1 being maxed, and GPU2 being at 0%.

[Nonominator]

Originally Posted by Tim

Another thing, how do I know if Crossfire is even working? Right now the only thing I know to do is run GPU-Z and select the sensor between GPU1 and GPU2. So for now, all I can see is GPU1 being maxed, and GPU2 being at 0%.

Honestly Tim, I would go seek help on the AMD forums. Explain your setup, your software (Drivers, programs, games etc...) and then work on troubleshooting. Also possibly call the video card manufacturer and request assistance...

ATI really has issues. This is why everyone I know will swear to Nvidia. Sure some of the numbers are great for some... but it doesn't mean everyone will get those same numbers on the same setup. It's all trial and error.

When I saw a previous post asking what you should get... I would have answered Nvidia. I got 2 new 4850 X2 (Dual Core Card) with 2GB of ram on it... Nothing but problems when running Crossfire mode. And I have a pretty sick system.

[Tim]

I figured it out, AMD doesn't support Crossfire for windowed applications, and they don't support Crossfire for a TON of games that are out there.

I already boxed up my 2 ATI cards and am returning them in the next 30 minutes and will come back with 2x Nvidia 480s. I hope my house won't burn down

[Poyzon]

Originally Posted by Tim

I hope my house won't burn down

NSFW (language): YouTube - Grim Reaper - The roof is on fire (HQ)

[Tim]

I'm at my desk now with 2 unopened EVGA Nvidia 480 GTX 1536MB video cards, with drool coming out my mouth.

But... is 850W PS enough? Ooooh lets see!

[specialist7]

You have to use crossfire profile for some games to utilize both gpus Drivers & Support | GAME.AMD.COM

Though there are some games as well where all you need is to rename it like 'oblivion.exe' and it will automatically do it, but those tend to break games like games for windows or steam based :/ its about the same with nVidia and their SLI profiles. If the game doesnt support multi-gpu right out of the box then they (driver makers) usually make one (or not) there isnt really a list for what games they support, its just a hit and miss deal.

[Tim]

ATI - No windowed mode crossfire = SUX

Nvidia - Allows windowed mode SLI = WIN

[specialist7]

Originally Posted by Tim

ATI - No windowed mode crossfire = SUX

Nvidia - Allows windowed mode SLI = WIN

Ah yeah, ATI does allow windowed crossfire mode but thats mostly on DX10 games so its a fail on ATI's part :P

[Tim]

Originally Posted by specialist7

Ah yeah, ATI does allow windowed crossfire mode but thats mostly on DX10 games so its a fail on ATI's part :P

Unfortunately this is not true. I tested it, and eventually found the support forum post from ATI saying that no games will work in windowed mode with crossfire.