Crossfiring HD 6870 with M3A770DE MB problems - Wont recognize 2nd pci-e slot

[shap]

I have been using XFX HD 6870 and decided to get another one to cross fire. I have been working all day, reformatting my computer, installing/deleting/reinstalling drives, just a very very frustrating day. Crossfire is supposed to be pretty simple to set up. This is just ridiculous. I have been looking at forums ALL day to find solutions to this, and all them lead to dead ends.

I have tried both the cards in the first pci-e slot (16x) and they both work fine. Neither will work in the second slot (4x). The fan will work, but my computer does not recognize the second device, and because of that ATI Control Center cant enable crossfire (the option does not exist).


Computer specs:
PSU: 750watt Thermaltake(crossfire support)
Motherboard: ASRock M3a770DE
Video cards: 2 XFX HD 6870
RAM: Ripsaw 8 GB 1600 (which is funny because they will only load at 1333...)
Processor: AMD X4 955
Windows 7 64 bit home edition
Bios version: 1.8

I am sorry for the frustration and angry post, but I have never been this frustrated working on a computer before.

[ASRock TSD - Emily]

Re: Crossfiring HD 6870 with M3A770DE MB problems - Wont recognize 2nd pci-e slot

Dear shap,

We test M3A770DE with two pcs HD6870 VGA card and enable "CrossFire" function.
System works well.

Please kindly refer to below suggestions for testing.
1. Load BIOS default settings.
2. Use eraser to clean the golden finger of VGA card to try.
3. Only install a VGA card to PCIE3 slot (PCIE2.0 x4 slot) by turns to check whether system works well.
4. Change another Crossfire bridge to try.

Thanks!

Have a nice day
ASRock TSD
Emily

[shap]

Re: Crossfiring HD 6870 with M3A770DE MB problems - Wont recognize 2nd pci-e slot

Dear shap,

We test M3A770DE with two pcs HD6870 VGA card and enable "CrossFire" function.
System works well.

Please kindly refer to below suggestions for testing.
1. Load BIOS default settings.
2. Use eraser to clean the golden finger of VGA card to try.
3. Only install a VGA card to PCIE3 slot (PCIE2.0 x4 slot) by turns to check whether system works well.
4. Change another Crossfire bridge to try.

Thanks!

Have a nice day
ASRock TSD
Emily

I will have to try this out when I get back in town on Thursday night. Thanks for your help.

When I was reading up on this issue, the only way to enable "crossfire" option is through Catalyst Control Center, right? I was looking through the bios to see if there was something I had to enable on the bios.

Also, how do I accomplish step 2?

I have done step 3 already, but I did not load bios defaults before doing it. I hope this works.

Thank you for your help.

[ASRock TSD - Emily]

Re: Crossfiring HD 6870 with M3A770DE MB problems - Wont recognize 2nd pci-e slot

Dear Shap,

We load BIOS default settings and only install a VGA card to PCIE3 slot, system works well.

Please kindly clear CMOS first and then only install a pcs VGA card to PCIE3 slot to try.
If you install one VGA card to PCIE3 slot, you cannot get the display.
Your PCIE3 slot maybe defective.

If you would like to enable "CrossFire function", you don't have to do any settings under BIOS.
You only enable "CrossFire" in ATI controller panel.

Thanks!

Have a nice day
ASRock TSD
Emily

[profJim]

Re: Crossfiring HD 6870 with M3A770DE MB problems - Wont recognize 2nd pci-e slot

2. Use eraser to clean the golden finger of VGA card to try.

This refers to cleaning the pci-e electrical contacts on the bottom edge of the video card.
Another option is to use a lint-free cloth that is lightly moistened with 91% pure rubbing alcohol (or denatured alcohol) to clean the electrical contacts.
You can buy 91% rubbing alcohol in drug stores or department stores.