AMD ATI Radeon HD 5850, User Manual

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Chapter 3
AMD CrossFire™ Technology
Note: These features are only available for ATI Radeon HD 5850/5870 graphics cards
with AMD CrossFireX™ connections.
AMD CrossFire™ Introduction
AMD CrossFire™ is a multi-GPU (graphics processing unit) performance gaming
platform. It enables multiple graphics processors installed in a single computer to
work together to improve system performance, creating a high-performance gaming
platform. Typically, setup involves two or more graphics cards, but with the
appropriate motherboard, the technology can use a single card and the built-in GPU
of the motherboard. AMD CrossFireX works with all 3D games and applications.
Note: The Catalyst™ Control Center software contains a different AMD CrossFire
user interface for each configuration type and automatically loads the appropriate
one when a valid AMD CrossFire configuration is detected in the system.
If AMD Catalyst™ A.I. is enabled in the Catalyst Control Center software, the
optimal rendering mode available for the application is automatically selected.
Installing AMD CrossFire™ Graphics Cards
These instructions assume that a PCIe® graphics card has already been successfully
installed in the secondary slot (slot one), and that the primary slot (slot zero) is empty.
Note: Consult your system builder or OEM to ensure that your system has an
adequate power supply.
For an up-to-date listing of AMD CrossFire certified motherboards and power
supplies, see ati.amd.com/products/certification.
1. Make sure the computer, monitor, and other peripheral devices are off.
2. Unplug the computer power cord and disconnect the monitor cable from the
back panel of the computer.
Caution:
To avoid possible damage to the motherboard, wait approximately 20 seconds
after unplugging the power cord before disconnecting a peripheral or
removing a component from the motherboard.
©
2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ATI Radeon™ HD 5850/5870