ATI Radeon 2600xt in crossfire setup

E

Eterenal

n00b
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
6
I just bought a custom built computer the other day and brought it home. It has two ATI Radeon 2600 xt cards in crossfire. I had to reinstall Windows XP since it came with an unactivated copy of professional and I only have Home edition. After reformatting I installed the drivers that came with the two cards and enabled Crossfire in the catalyst control center.

I'm wondering if there is some way I can check to make sure crossfire is working correctly. I bought Halflife 2 to go along with the new computer and when I play TFC2 I get some serious graphics lag every time I die and during a lot of fights. However, if I disable crossfire the game plays much smoother with little to no lag. Maybe crossfire just doesn't work well for this game, but it seems odd to me that two cards perform worse than one.

I'm a total newb at this stuff, but are there any checks I can do on the hardware or software to make sure everything is set up correctly?
 
You can run 3d mark and post your score and im sure many can pin point it for you.
 
My system specs are:

Intel Core 2 Duo e6600
Intel "Bad Axe" motherboard
Dual ATI HD 2600xt graphics cards in Crossfire, passive HSF setup
2gb RAM

Here's part of my dxdiag file that may be relevant:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/26/2007, 21:02:20
Machine name: COMPY86
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: INTEL_
System Model: D975XBX_
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2044MB RAM
Page File: 424MB used, 3512MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x9588)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9588&SUBSYS_216C1458&REV_00
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic Television
Monitor Max Res: 640,480
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6734 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 11/1/2007 20:09:00, 268288 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 11/1/2007 21:52:04, 2644480 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D6C8-11CF-A66D-6601A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x9588
SubSys ID: 0x216C1458
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run
 
So I ran 3Dmark with crossfire enabled and everything went fine until the test that showed the Mars/Desert type battle and my computer ran that at 0-1 FPS. All of the other tests ran at about 30 FPS consistently. I got 6000 3Dmarks. I haven't had a chance to run it with crossfire disabled but I have a feeling it will test better.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
I think the most I've ever seen anyone get on that scene is about 2-3 fps. It is using the CPU alone to render the scene, it's not using the video card, so I wouldn't worry about that.
 
Eterenal said:
So I ran 3Dmark with crossfire enabled and everything went fine until the test that showed the Mars/Desert type battle and my computer ran that at 0-1 FPS. All of the other tests ran at about 30 FPS consistently. I got 6000 3Dmarks. I haven't had a chance to run it with crossfire disabled but I have a feeling it will test better.

Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

no offense, but if you can, return the 2600xts and get a single or xf 3850/3870 cards as both are faster then 2600xts and would end up being cheaper
comparison with 3dmark?
the 3850 on that system would get 8kish?
3870 9-10k
 
I could ask the person I bought it from if he would exchange out the cards for something else, but I'd rather not unless I have to. I'm assuming if these cards are working correctly together that they should be able to play most games out right now with out any problem. I'm not a huge gamer, I just want the system I have to work properly.
 
Eterenal said:
I could ask the person I bought it from if he would exchange out the cards for something else, but I'd rather not unless I have to. I'm assuming if these cards are working correctly together that they should be able to play most games out right now with out any problem. I'm not a huge gamer, I just want the system I have to work properly.
Click to expand...

2600XTs in Cfire are still pretty slow, alot of games you won't be able to play on high settings, specially the newer games, crysis, hellgate(maybe on dx9), cod4 etc etc, a single faster card is available for less $$ to you :p or even 2 newer cards(3850/3870)

seriously 2600XT crossfire is only good for one thing, emptying your wallet for nothing (unless u disable xfire and use 4 displays running HD content!)
 
Well if I can't return the cards, would I be better of ebaying them seperately and purchasing one of the cards you mentioned? Do people still buy 2600xt's?
 
Eterenal said:
Well if I can't return the cards, would I be better of ebaying them seperately and purchasing one of the cards you mentioned? Do people still buy 2600xt's?
Click to expand...

I'm sure someone would want them for HD playback and very light gaming, or maybe as a second card for dual / tri / quad displays + hd playback.

I'd suggest doing that (selling them as long as u dont lose $) and getting a 3850 / 3870 if you want to stay with cf and cheap, or 8800gt if u can find one and willing to spend a bit more
 
I'll try and see what they're selling for and take a look at my options. Thanks a lot for the help.
 
For a quick comparison, a single X1900XT with an Athlon X2@2.6Ghz gives the same 3DMark06 score (6k) as you have there. Two X1900XTs give nearly 10k. The 2600XT is not a good choice I'm afraid. Also some driver/game combinations don't play well with CF - try a different driver revision and see what performance is like. Or as others have said pick up a single equivalent card and avoid any CF problems. The fix on the AMD is site is all very well but they've still failed to fix other games, even old ones. Both Dungeon Siege titles in particular lose performance in CF mode.
 
Indeed I'd get rid of those 2600XTs, having one card is so much easier and cheaper on the power bill. 3850 would be perfect if all your playing is HL2 and it can tackle Crysis if you should need it too as well. My X1950pro isn't bad on 1280x1024.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top