***M18x - AMD Crossfire (Driver Questions, Performance, Problems) Discussion Thread***

Check CCC that CrossfireX is still enabled...is gpu-z showing temp readings for both cards, I wonder? - If not, and CfX is enabled, somethings not quite right given the sudden drop in FPS and 3dmv score.

 

Cheers for the interest Stevie,

Thumbs of both ccc and GPUz attached, all appears okay.

I checked device manager, no issues seen.

im really stuck here?

Just ran the campaign BF3 and recorded the two GPU performance as attached.

Any comments?

The plot thickens, just launched the multiplayer version to monitor the GPUs and it autmatically disabled cross fire (see image) despite the fact that CCC says its enabled. ?

Sorry to be over posting but Im trying to resolve this issue.

I think it's an overheating / fan issue.

Playing BF3, getting 50 fps for the first few minutes then a sudden drop. Had CPUz in back ground. Initially Crossfire was enabled but when the fps dropped I checked the readings and crossfire was diabled, also the temp on the only GPU card operating was 90+ with the fan at 30%.

Am I on the right track? What#s the fix?

 

I would certainly be looking at flashing to the latest A05 bios, as you have the AMD cards and are on A04 (according to your sig.) - have you ever experienced any random system shutdowns? - could be that as your gpu/s are hitting 90c+, you could be the owner of a system that suffers from the "cold boot/thermal shutdown bug" - A05 resolves this issue so thats the first thing I would do and see if gpu temps come back into line....the fps drop is probably caused by the card overheating.

You may have caught this thread about the overheating/shutdown probs. Most of the answrs are in the spoilers that Mr. Fox has included in the linked thread below:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/8030512-post1.html

Give it a go and see how that works out. Nothing to lose and it does fix the overheating issue afaik.

Regarding BF3, you might some helpful info here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...elease-version-m18x-discussion-thread-31.html

 

As usual, I agree with Steve. He always has great advice. Flash A05 and see if your overheating problem improves.

In addition to the BF3 thread Steve mentioned, scope out the helpful links on the http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/631584-more-alienware-level-3-engineering-docs-posted.html thread. (Be sure to drop a thank you post to DELLChrisM and/or give rep if you found the links helpful.) The Level 3 Engineering docs even include a tip for BF3.

 

I flashed to 05 and clean installed the Preview Drivers.

The problem keeps happening.

Crossfire is disabling itself (according to CPUz presumably when the cards get too hot).
This in turn reduces the fps in game from 60+ to 10 and unplayable.

Incidentally, only CPU1 gets hot (90+), the other seems to hold around the 70 mark.

Is there a fan for each card? If so, could one of the fans be faulty?

 

anyone else have an issue where hwinfo can see the card but doesnt report anything on it. No info at all?

am i misconfiguring something? ive left it at defaults.

 

Your video card is supported according to their site since version 0.5.4.

 

You probably have something misconfigured with HWiNFO64. Does GPU-Z report information from both video cards? If so, then the issue is most likey with HWiNFO64 configuration. If GPU-Z is missing important information, then you may have a hardware problem.

 

Yes, there are 3 fans... CPU and each GPU has its own fan. It should not be difficult to verify the fans are working. You can hear, feel and see each fan through the vents in the lower cover. At higher GPU temps the fans should be very audible. The fan speed readings you are looking at are not accurate. You can ignore the data reported on fan speeds in GPU-Z. GPU fans in the M18x (and almost all other laptops as well) are basically system fans. They are neither attached to nor controlled by the video cards.

How old is your M18x? Is this problem a recent development, or something you have been battling since day one? You may need to take it apart to clean out the dust bunnies. It could be something this simple, although you may have a hardware problem. It takes very little dust and lint to clog the heatsink fins and impair fan efficiency, and depending on your environment, this may need to be done frequently.

If your M18x is a "refurbished" unit, it could be very clogged up with the previous owner's dirt if it was never taken apart for servicing. Be careful if you attempt to unplug the fans. The connectors are fragile. I recommend leaving them plugged in during cleaning.

I take mine apart for cleaning about once every 45 days. It's not difficult and the Service Manual is available for download from Dell Support.

 

Thanks again Mr. Fox.

My M18x is new having arrived in October, it certainly should not be a refurbished unit!

The issue only started recently and I only noticed it after a few hours of BF3.

I will try the visual and report back.

Thanks again

 

Hello All,

First of all, I would like to say hello to everyone on NBR. I have been reading NBR for more than a year and now I'm a proud owner of a M18x, 2960XM, 6990m CFx, HyperX 240GB SSD, etc.

Now, I need your assistance. I am experiencing problems when playing games with CFx enabled. The screen would display a pinkish tone and it seems to be constantly flashing. If I disable CFx, everyone is fine. Turning Vsync on doesn't help. IIRC, others are having the same problems but I cannot find a definite fix. Is this a software or hardware issue?

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the NBR Forum. So glad you joined us.

That sounds like a hardware issue... probably bad CrossFire cable, loose cable connection or a dying GPU.

 

I had this issue turned out being a lose CFX cable Time to disassemble or phone tech support. Hope you get this sorted out

 

Hello!

Per your suggestions, I have opened up the system and reconnected the CFx cable.

After reconnecting the CFx cable, I tried play ARMA 2. Problem is still there.

Then, I ran GPU-Z to check out the numbers. Everything looks normal. After that, I ran CS: Source. The game runs and displays properly. Now, time to try ARMA 2. Guess what? It's also runs and displays properly!

I even tried shutting down the system and let it rest for 5 minutes and tried loading the games again. Tried Civ 2, CS: Source and ARMA 2. All runs without a problem and everything seems to be good.

Should I be concerned that the problem might occure again in the future? I guess I will try again tomorrow morning and report back.

 

I tried it again this morning and all seems to be fine.

I really don't want this problem to happen again so do you think I should just replace my CFx bridge cable? Can I order the cable from Dell and does anyone have a part number handy? If I can replace it, I hope the part doesn't cost too much!

 

It's not very expensive. If your machine is under warranty, Alienware should just send you a new one. You can show them the photo you posted on this thread.

I have the part number somewhere and I can dig it up for you if you need it. Let me know if they don't replace it under warranty and you need to buy one and I will find it for you.

More likely than not the cable is fine and simply had a bad connection.

 

Hi Mr. Fox,

It would be great if you can provide me with the part number as I would rather replace the part myself.

Thanks!

 

Sorry to keep you waiting. I've been terribly busy at work.

I remembered earlier today that I had posted the part number at one point. Here is a link to where I posted the information before LINK

 

Thanks for the part number, Mr. Fox...

Cheers!

 

Hey guys

Well I just purchased a used M18x and although it comes with dual 6970m in crossfireX, Catalyst does not allow me to select CrossfireX mode and is completely greyed out with a notification saying: "The AMD CrossFireX internal bridge interconnects linking your graphics cards together are not properly attached. Both bridge interconnects must be attached...". Both video cards appear in device manager, but I cant enable crossfire =(

I opened it up, took keyboard out and checked both the cables. One was slightly out of the port so I secured them both into the graphics cards Crossfire ports and still I get the same error. So I decided to hack the cable up a bit moving the pins a bit and now its completely stuffed so I'll need a new one.

The cable itself seemed a bit roughed up initially so I'm wondering is the cable a problem or is it something to do with the video cards themselves. Also, where can I get a new crossfireX cable? No warranty on laptop so need help!

Thanks in advance!

 

What's up man, sounds like you are having the same exact problem as me, only difference is I'm running the m17x r2 and I have 6990's in my system, but I can't enable the crossfire, it says the same thing that it told you in the ccc. I also tryed changing the cable with one of your m18x cf cable still doesn't want to enable crossfire, hopefully i can get it to work, I think its something with vbios or some mod or I don't even know lol I got stuck in a pickle jar

 

Hi all!

I just bought Skyrim last night. When I came to costumize my character, his face was flickering... So I press ESC to go in the menu and my screen was flickering in yellow to. So I just closed the game....

I am wondering if my cards are defective, because I had this problem in another game named Mount and Blade. Is every 6970m's defective like that or this is just Skyrim ?

I don't know if I should call dell for a replacement.

 

None of the above problems (mentioned by Snake,Ravinggg and Joce) are "normal" and it appears things are malfunctioning. While they are not normal, it seems they might not be uncommon. My first M18x had 6970M Crossfire with both of those issues intermittently and Alienware replaced the cards. The replacement cards had the same problem that Snake and Ravinggg are experiencing. Alienware replaced the second 6970M Crossfire setup with 6990M Crossfire and I did not have those issues with the 6990M Crossfire setup.

 

Thanks for the link, Canious. That is a very interesting article. If AMD's plans go through, we should see good things in 2012 to help make up for what happened in 2011 with such horrible Mobility drivers.

 

I've seen that with my dual 6990m cards. Happens when I play Skyrim with Crossfire enabled using certain drivers. On 11.10 it didn't happen, but I think on 12.1 it does... but the performance is still worse with Crossfire enabled, so I play without, and I have no problems.

P.S. the 12.1 drivers are excellent. Skyrim and Crossfire, not so much.

 

Hello,

I tried to order the AMD Crossfire X cable for my M18x with 6990m. When I give them the part number RYVMN, the Dell rep said that is the part number for a DVD writer. Did this happen to anyone else? Could someone at Dell (perhaps Chris) confirm that the part number is still valid.

Thanks!

 

RYVMN is the Dell item number shown on my receipt and packing slip. Either they have reassigned that number to something else, or the person looked up the number wrong.

There is a part number on a decal attached to the cable... DC02C001MOO. Maybe that will help.

 

Hello,

My skyrim has no more flickering, but could you guys look at my post : http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/624048-m18x-skyrim-performance-problems-general-discussion-thread-13.html#post8188359

This is in the skyrim thread, but I got this problem in some games like Assassin's creed. I think this is more related to my GPU's instead of just skyrim.

But I need your help.

I am trying to know if my GPU's are defective.

 

Joce21 - I responded in the Skyrim thread. Good job with the screen shots.

Is it the newest version of Assassin's Creed or an older one? I think it could be a driver optimization issue that an updated CAP may help with on Skyrim and Assassin's Creed. Have you applied the latest AMD CAP already?

Let's keep the discussion here in this thread.

 

I was talking about ASC Revelation and Yes, I got the lastest CAP.

I get good FPS when im inside like cave or house, but outside I drop down to 30-40 fps.

I guess I'll just wait for a new CAP. If I had enough money, I would switch to green. This is my first Ati purchase and I think this is the last one.

 

Thanks Mr. Fox. I got another rep to help me and the part has been ordered.

 

Which number did they use? Was the first rep mistaken? Glad you got it sorted.

 

The first rep was mistaken. Thanks for your help again!

Happy New Year all!

 

which driver is better at this moment ? preview 12.1 from AMD or 11.0 optimized from Dell ?

 

I had the 11.10 from Dell, now I use the 12.1 from AMD. I don't notice any difference in performance, but with the 12.1's I have brightness control, as well as per-application profiles and the ability to turn crossfire on or off per application profile instead of globally, so in my mind, the 12.1 drivers win hands down.

 

That's the proof that those responsible for the lack of the brighteness control lies in ATI... not in Dell ( for all those blaming Dell about it). Of course Dell could demand, test and quality control the outcomes from ATI before selling them to the costumers.

But, any way, good to know that the solutions are @ a step...

 

Over the past few weeks, I have been noticing a subtle decrease in performance in some of the games I play(Battlefield 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic). So much so that I have had to turn some settings down in order to play them. Now today, my screen now looks grainy and is flickering. My games have also had another hit in performance since this has started happening. I have tried restarting my computer and reinstalling my graphics drivers, with no results. I would post screenshots, but the grainy flickering does not show up in them, they just look normal. I have also ran a hardware scan with AlienAutopsy and it says everything is fine.

Anyone have any ideas?

My specs:
Alienware M18x
Windows 7 Ultimate - Service Pack 1
Intel i7-2720QM 2.20GHz
8 Gigs of Ram
AMD Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire

 

Gunner - I moved your question into the appropriate thread for AMD CrossFire issues.

Check your CrossFire cable to confirm is it securely attached to each video card. The connections are not all that secure and they sometimes work loose.

 

Ok, if I do open my laptop, will I still be able to send it in for repairs in the future?(provided I put it together correctly) Also, how difficult would this be? I am experienced in taking apart and putting desktops together, but not laptops.

 

Opening your laptop will not affect your warranty. Your Alienware system is meant to be opened.

You need to know how to do this for periodic maintenance anyway. You must clean out lint and dust now and then to keep the system working properly without overheating and partial disassembly is required to do that effectively.

You can download the service manual from the dell support page. There are also YouTube videos that some find reassuring in conjunction with the service manual. You'll find links on the opening post in the http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m18x/575859-official-m18x-owners-lounge-thread.html.

The only challenging part the first time or two is removing the keyboard surround panel. It has lots of clips around the edges that you need to get turned loose. Work your way around the perimeter a little at a time and you'll make it.

 

Thanks Mr. Fox, I will give it a try.

 

I have it open and I am looking at the cards, but I don't know what the bridge looks like. I have been trying to look it up, but I can't seem to find it. Could anyone point me in the right direction?

Edit
I think I found it, the big blue strip going across the top. I am removing each end and putting them back in.

 

Alright, put it all together, booted up, and all the grainyness was gone. Started up this morning, all the grainyness has returned. In my Catalyst Control Center, under the CrossfireX section, it says that "the internal bridge connecting the cards is not properly connected." Now, that has been there since I got got it in September, but I couldn't send it in because I am in college and I need it. Could anyone shed a little light on the subject?

 

when I play BF3...the first 6990m run about 95%..but the second one only run at 10%...is there something wrong ?

 

Guys, I installed 11.12 and half way through the install I got a blue screen. I restarted and after displaying the windows welcome screen it blue screened again.

I restarted with "last known good configuration" and while Windows starts, I get a continuous "Toaster.exe - bad image C:\windows\system\32\atiu9pag.dll is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. etc etc" error message.

Any help would be really appreciated! Can I install an older version? What can I do?

Thanks,
Ian

 

This error message means the CrossFire cable either has a bad connection or it is defective and needs to be replaced. If you call Alienware Support, they can probably send one for overnight delivery if you're still under warranty. If you are no longer under warranty, they're very inexpensive to purchase.

 

An update - I reinstalled 11.12 and it installed correctly, but I'm still getting the constant toaster.exe bad image error on atiu9pag.dll ... help!

 

Ian - Toaster.exe is part of AlienRespawn. It does not need to run at startup and would be best disabled. It causes problems. Launch services.msc and disable SoftThinks Agent (which is "Toaster"). If that's not enough information, let us know and we can elaborate more clearly what to do. (Disregard the linked info about disabling WinSAT... not necessary now that we have a new version of OSD.)

Now, concerning your AMD driver issue, uninstall all AMD/ATI software in Control Panel and do a clean driver installation. I recommend you use Dell's latest driver or 12.1 based on the feedback I am seeing posted in the thread for the 12.1 Catalyst package.

For the instructions on the clean AMD driver install, look for the post by Steviejones133 near the start of this thread or click the link in my signature.

Let us know if you need more help.

 

any idea ?

 

Hello dr_gin_rain. Hope all is well with you.

Yes, that does seem to be a problem. If the game is working OK otherwise, it might be something that gets addressed over time with patches.

Sorry nobody took a swipe at your question. I was about to sign off and go to bed and just noticed nobody has answered. I don't have BF3 or 6900 Series CrossFire, but I see a lot of issues with BF3 and CrossFire being posted in our forum and on the web. I hope something in these links will be helpful to you. It's what I found in a few minutes of searching.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...on-m18x-discussion-thread-31.html#post8133504 (look through the whole thread for more detail)

Battlefield 3 Crossfire issues? Complete list of known fix's here! 11.11b link inside!

Dell Support | BF3 & Rage: Textures issues and Low FPS with AMD / ATI Cards with latest drivers

Google Hits: battlefield 3 crossfire support

If you cannot find anything useful in these link, try posting in our BF3 thread and let us know here in this thread that you're still searching for help. With all the talent in this community, if there is a fix out there already someone will share it. Likewise, if you find something to address your issue, please share it with us.