Has an incorrect Crossfire setup fried my card?

fried graphics card · Sep 12, 2009

I had 2 ATI HD 4890 graphics cards set up for Crossfire. Severe problems, one of the monitors looked great, but the other one showed a very jumbled screen as if it were set to a very, very low resolution, worse than the graphics you see when operating Windows in Safe Mode. Eventually got 2 monitors going, but without Crossfire.

Seems Crossfire wouldn't work for 2 monitors, so I replaced the analogue KVM with a DVI KVM and then tried to connect the monitor with the DVI cable to the pc, but it wouldn't work until I connected it to the other DVI-D connector, the one that was OK.

Looked through the HD 4890 manual, which specified that TWO Crossfire bridges should be used to link the cards. My question is: having connected the 2 cards with only ONE Crossfire bridge, has one of the cards fried, the one that won't let me connect my other monitor?

newtekie1 · Sep 12, 2009

You can only use one crossfire bidge without issue, it won't fry anything to do it like this.

fried graphics card · Sep 12, 2009

Thanks for that, I appreciate the card mightn't be damaged - although it doesn't seem to work. But the manual states "... and connect the graphics cards via two Crossfire bridge interconnect cables (Figure 1)." Would you explain to me how that relates to what you say about only using one bridge please , as I've only ever opened the bonnet of a pc, but haven't actually used any spanners myself.

HammerON · Sep 12, 2009

Since ATI got rid of the outer dongle after the X1900 series cards and started using the Crossfire bridge on the 3870's, there has been a constant debate about whether to use both connectors or just one. From what I remember (you should google it), most stated that only one connector was needed.
Put the other connector on and see if it solves your problem.
By the way, are both monitors connected to one card (the top one) or is one connected to each card?

Kantastic · Sep 12, 2009

HammerON said:
By the way, are both monitors connected to one card (the top one) or is one connected to each card?

He stated that he managed to get 2 monitors up and running without Crossfire, so I'm assuming one per card which makes me wonder... doesn't Crossfire have issues with dual monitors on separate cards when Crossfired? Connect them both to one card and see what happens.

newtekie1 · Sep 12, 2009

The bridges are just a way for the cards to comunicate with eachother. Using two yeilds better performance, but only at extremely high resolutions, and it is recommended that you use two if you can, but it is not required.

As for the other problems, AFAIK, you can not use Crossfire with multiple monitors.

http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/faq.html

6. Can I use the CrossFire platform to drive multiple displays?

A. Yes, the CrossFire platform will work with ATI SurroundView™ multi-monitor technology to enable up to 5 separate displays when not running in CrossFire mode.

So it sounds like the problem you are having is how it is supposed to work. You will have to disable Crossfire to use both monitors, and enable it when you want to play games on a single monitor.

Though I think ATi's site might be outdated, as I could have sworn that Crossfire allowed you to use two displays with crossfire enabled, but both monitors had to be connected to the same video card.(Maybe that was SLI though.)

HammerON · Sep 12, 2009

newtekie1 said:
The bridges are just a way for the cards to comunicate with eachother. Using two yeilds better performance, but only at extremely high resolutions, and it is recommended that you use two if you can, but it is not required.

As for the other problems, AFAIK, you can not use Crossfire with multiple monitors.

http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/faq.html

So it sounds like the problem you are having is how it is supposed to work. You will have to disable Crossfire to use both monitors, and enable it when you want to play games on a single monitor.

Thanks for clarifying

erocker · Sep 12, 2009

AMD states to use both CrossFire connectors.

http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/ATICrossFire_comp_req.aspx

fried graphics card · Sep 12, 2009

HammerON said:
Since ATI got rid of the outer dongle after the X1900 series cards and started using the Crossfire bridge on the 3870's, there has been a constant debate about whether to use both connectors or just one. From what I remember (you should google it), most stated that only one connector was needed.
Put the other connector on and see if it solves your problem.
By the way, are both monitors connected to one card (the top one) or is one connected to each card?

I was using 2 monitors with the analogue KVM, but since I installed the DVI KVM and discovered that the second DVI-I connector doesn't seem to work, I'm only using one monitor at the moment.

However, before he left, we worked out that Crossfire will work beautifully with one monitor, but not two.

JayliN · Sep 12, 2009

newtekie1 said:
So it sounds like the problem you are having is how it is supposed to work. You will have to disable Crossfire to use both monitors, and enable it when you want to play games on a single monitor.

^. It sucks I know, welcome to the crossfire club.

On the bright side, your 4890 is not fried and a single 4890 will run most games at up to 1920x1200 smoothly anyway.

grunt_408 · Sep 12, 2009

I have in the past run 2 screens with crossfire. By the sounds of it the driver for the second card has not been installed in the proper way. But it would also help to have the second crossfire bridge connected.

Edit good guide here: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=51219

overclocking101 · Sep 13, 2009

lmao no you cant run more than one monitor with crossfire enabled, period. you just cant its an ati driver thing and has not been bothered to fix. disable crossfire, and attach your other monitor and it will work but if you want crossfire enabled you can only run a single monitor. google it.

grunt_408 · Sep 13, 2009

overclocking101 said:
lmao no you cant run more than one monitor with crossfire enabled, period. you just cant its an ati driver thing and has not been bothered to fix. disable crossfire, and attach your other monitor and it will work but if you want crossfire enabled you can only run a single monitor. google it.

Well now you have laughed your ass off you may read my post again and see that i said that I have run 2 screens in the past with crossfire enabled. I have not tried to do it for a long time so wouldnt know about now. Looks like they have well and truly fixed the problem with eyefinity.

Scrizz · Sep 13, 2009

newtekie1 said:
The bridges are just a way for the cards to comunicate with eachother. Using two yeilds better performance, but only at extremely high resolutions, and it is recommended that you use two if you can, but it is not required.

As for the other problems, AFAIK, you can not use Crossfire with multiple monitors.

http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/faq.html

So it sounds like the problem you are having is how it is supposed to work. You will have to disable Crossfire to use both monitors, and enable it when you want to play games on a single monitor.

Though I think ATi's site might be outdated, as I could have sworn that Crossfire allowed you to use two displays with crossfire enabled, but both monitors had to be connected to the same video card.(Maybe that was SLI though.)

yes that is an old crossfire explanation, pre CrossfireX
for HD3k and up you only need one connection for 2 cards.
adding the second one does nothing for performance

erocker · Sep 13, 2009

erocker said:
AMD states to use both CrossFire connectors.

http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/ATICrossFire_comp_req.aspx

Scrizz said:
yes that is an old crossfire explanation, pre CrossfireX
for HD3k and up you only need one connection for 2 cards.
adding the second one does nothing for performance

Not according to that link I posted.

Scrizz · Sep 13, 2009

erocker said:
AMD states to use both CrossFire connectors.

http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/ATICrossFire_comp_req.aspx

where does it say to use both connectors

and anyway I have seen no benefit from running two bridges over one

grunt_408 · Sep 13, 2009

I have always used 2 bridges since each card comes with one and they have two connections on them so go figure.

erocker · Sep 13, 2009

Scrizz said:
where does it say to use both connectors

and anyway I have seen no benefit from running two bridges over one

■The requirements of a CrossfireX system are:
◦A ATI CrossFireX-ready Motherboard
◦Two or more ATI CrossFireX-ready graphics cards
◦ATI CrossFireX connections for card-to-card communications (comes with your cards)
◦550W or better power supply is recommended
◦Windows Vista®

"Ati CrossFireX connections" - Plural

I don't see the point in not using two. But really, if it works for you that's all that matters.

Scrizz · Sep 13, 2009

well not all cards come with one
and 4870x2 only has one connector
wouldn't you think it needs 2 in order to communicate with another?

all I am saying is that you only need 2 for cards before the HD3k series.
You don't have to take my word for it. You ca try it yourself

erocker · Sep 13, 2009

Scrizz said:
well not all cards come with one
and 4870x2 only has one connector
wouldn't you think it needs 2 in order to communicate with another?

Cards that don't come with one, don't come with one because the company that is selling the cards is cheaping out.

The 4870x2 uses the PLX chip, but I don't know if that actually relates to CrossFiring with another card.

I would think so, but clearly it works with just one for some people. It would work with one connector for my 3870's but with my 4870's I would get issues if I was not using two. Really, if you only have one connector use one, two, use two. If you are using one and have problems, get another connector. Also, I've never seen an AMD demo not using two.

Scrizz · Sep 13, 2009

erocker said:
Cards that don't come with one, don't come with one because the company that is selling the cards is cheaping out.

The 4870x2 uses the PLX chip, but I don't know if that actually relates to CrossFiring with another card.

I would think so, but clearly it works with just one for some people. It would work with one connector for my 3870's but with my 4870's I would get issues if I was not using two. Really, if you only have one connector use one, two, use two. If you are using one and have problems, get another connector. Also, I've never seen an AMD demo not using two.

what does the PLX chip have to do with it communicating with another 4870x2

I think this issue is like erocker says. try one if it works good if not get another

EDIT: notice how it says CrossfireX interconnect
http://game.amd.com/us-en/content/images/crossfirex/CF_combo_chart.jpg

EDIT 2: this might help ppl
http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=262&threadid=117564&enterthread=y
http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=262&threadid=117791&enterthread=y

REVHEAD · Sep 13, 2009

newtekie1 said:
The bridges are just a way for the cards to comunicate with eachother. Using two yeilds better performance, but only at extremely high resolutions, and it is recommended that you use two if you can, but it is not required.

As for the other problems, AFAIK, you can not use Crossfire with multiple monitors.

http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/faq.html

So it sounds like the problem you are having is how it is supposed to work. You will have to disable Crossfire to use both monitors, and enable it when you want to play games on a single monitor.

Though I think ATi's site might be outdated, as I could have sworn that Crossfire allowed you to use two displays with crossfire enabled, but both monitors had to be connected to the same video card.(Maybe that was SLI though.)

I am unsure what you class as extreme res, but my system runs 2560x1600 native and on my 3870 and 4870 crossfire setups 2 brindges not not yeild any more fps than one, it is completely false, 2 bridges are for running tri fire or quad fire, put 2 on if it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, but its not going to make an ounce of differance.

newtekie1 · Sep 13, 2009

erocker said:
"Ati CrossFireX connections" - Plural

I don't see the point in not using two. But really, if it works for you that's all that matters.

From the same webpage:

Q: I have 2 matching 2x00 cards but they don’t have an internal bridge connector; can I enable ATI CrossFire™?

An internal bridge connector = Singular

erocker · Sep 13, 2009

newtekie1 said:
From the same webpage:

An internal bridge connector = Singular

I am talking about the two CrossFire tabs that are on the 48xx series cards.

newtekie1 · Sep 13, 2009

erocker said:
I am talking about the two CrossFire tabs that are on the 48xx series cards.

I know, but they are pretty much the same on the 2000 series and the 4000 series. Either way, you only need one, and two does next to nothing.

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Has an incorrect Crossfire setup fried my card?

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