Powercolor Radeon HD 4870X2 Crashing w/ Catalyst AI Enabled!! :(

[chespace]

I've been pulling my hair out with this problem where I can't run any games (have tried Crysis, Trackmania Nations, HL2) with Catalyst A.I. enabled (BSoD saying the ATI driver is in an infinite loop), which basically means I can't use the 2nd GPU on the card. It works in windowed mode but that's because it's not using the 2nd core.

Obviously, I can turn off CAT AI and games will run fine but performance takes a huge hit as you can imagine. Also, running 3DMark Vantage gets me a blackscreen and a reset.

Here are my specs:

Antec 1200 Case
Intel Core 2 Quad 9550 2.83GHz
8GB DDR2 G.Skill RAM 800MHz
Asus P5Q Pro mobo
PowerColor 4870X2
2 Seagate 360GB SATA HDDs
Corsair TX750W PSU
Windows Vista 64-bit SP1
Catalyst 8.10 final

Any idea what could be conflicting with the Cat. A.I.? When I try to run games with the AI enabled, I get a BSoD (driver is in infinite loop it says) and/or a blackscreen then reboot.

Things I've tried:

Fresh install of Vista and all updates/SP1
Updated all mobo drivers
Fresh install of Catalyst 8.10 final
Swapping out various DIMMs
Torture test my CPU/RAM for stability

I'm about to go nuts trying to figure this out.

Thanks for your time and help!

 

[stanhemi]

Hi,i know that some crossfire whit 4850 and 4870 can't handled cat a.i maybe you got the same problem whit 4870 x2

 

[chespace]

Hi,i know that some crossfire whit 4850 and 4870 can't handled cat a.i maybe you got the same problem whit 4870 x2

Yeah but this problem doesn't seem that wide spread, and I heard that the 4870X2 isn't really crossfire?

 

[Binge]

I don't know what hippo guy is talking about honestly. I've had both crossfire and the X2 and the X2 has it's own set of HUGE issues-- Check out my thread on graphical corruption and power cycling. I'm having a nightmare.

 

[stanhemi]

do some google search and you see what im talking about

 

[Binge]

I honestly can't relate though as my 2 4870s never had problems with Cat AI >.>

 

[stanhemi]

I now it not all of them but some 4850 and 4870 in crossfire mode have this issue whit Cat AI.

@Binge how many fps you have whit your system in AOC. (my friend want to built a rigs for AOC)

thank

 

[Blacklash]

Yeah but this problem doesn't seem that wide spread, and I heard that the 4870X2 isn't really crossfire?

You had it right in your first post. You're getting a huge FPS hit because disabling CAT AI also disables on board Crossfire on the X2 leaving you with single GPU performance. The X2 does indeed use Crossfire tech.

I have no idea what is causing your problem. A stab in the dark would be some mobos don't support the X2 unless they're on the latest BIOS. I know the DFI X48 board had a lot of issues with the X2 and you aren't using said board. So if you aren't on the latest BIOS for your mobo, get it.

That PSU of yours should be enough for the X2 unless it's faulty. If you're really desperate you could also try reseating the card in your mobo.

Other places to ask around; Rage, DH, and the official AMD forums-

http://www.rage3d.com/board/

http://www.driverheaven.net/forum.php

http://forums.amd.com/game/

 

[Binge]

I now it not all of them but some 4850 and 4870 in crossfire mode have this issue whit Cat AI.

@Binge how many fps you have whit your system in AOC. (my friend want to built a rigs for AOC)

thank

I have to believe after struggling with my x2 that CAI errors and corruption are due to a less than perfect driver install.

@hippo- AoC will recognize a 4870x2 and the frames are well over 70 on the low end. This does not apply to crossfire. AoC supports SLI but not crossfire. AoC is also very dead. PvP patch was weak and the end game is still horrid. Most servers max 100 people a day and it is not a good game w/low populations . Damn Funcom

 

[Blacklash]

According to [H]ard HD 4850 Crossfire works fine in AoC-

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTU1OCw2LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

The same may be said for HD 4870 Crossfire and the X2-

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTU1OCw3LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

Summary of all reviewed cards in "apples to apples" in AoC-

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTU1OCwxNSwsaGVudGh1c2lhc3Q=

 

[Binge]

That must be new because on the forums the devs even verified that the program would not support crossfire until they finally included DX10. >..>

I have a character Ra, lvl 80 Herald of Xotli, full T2 raid gear on Bluesteel :-/ It's sooo dead.

 

[stanhemi]

thank Binge for the info.