[SOLVED] VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu)

Blast · 11-02-2009, 04:47 PM

Ok, i have a single monitor (with both DV-I and VGA inputs if that matters) and i am playing Grand Theft Auto IV. Obviously it needs a killer system, which i have. The only issue is the video ram, the 2gb of ram on the 4870 is split into 2 gpus with 1gb. I can't run at max settings because gta only sees 1000mb of ram (because on gpu isn't being used). I am wondering if there is a way to use both gpus to one screen so i can play with a possible 2gb.

Also, if it needs something more than a monitor like i have, please state what i would need for a monitor.

Thank you :)

**emosun** · 11-02-2009, 04:50 PM

You have to enable crossfire....

Blast · 11-02-2009, 05:39 PM

And can i do that with a single card?

also if i can with my single card, how do i do it. Attach that wire that came with the card?

Phædrus2401 · 11-02-2009, 06:19 PM

The 4870x2 has two separate GPUs, so it is essentially two graphics cards, just combined onto one PCB. You have to enable Crossfire for both GPUs to work. You enable it through the Catalyst Control Center that came with the drivers.

Blast · 11-02-2009, 08:23 PM

I am at version 9.9 and i do not see the crossfire button anywhere. Do i have to roll back to 9.8?

Phædrus2401 · 11-02-2009, 08:42 PM

Nevermind, just checked; it's already enabled by default at the hardware level. So you're already using both GPUs. You're set.

**emosun** · 11-02-2009, 09:20 PM

I was assuming that the full 2gb would be used because it's one card/pcb. But as with all sli and crossfire , the gpu power is combined not the ram power. If you were running dual monitors THEN the full 2gb would be in use.

Blast · 11-02-2009, 10:05 PM

Ok, well, i know this probably isn't the correct section anymore (probably would fit in a game area), but i have catalyst ai on now and i started gta iv. It shows only 1000mb of video ram. 1000mb is just one of the gpus, how can i get the second from the 4870 x2 to show up in the game, or isn't gta iv supporting of crossfire/cat ai.

Note i am at version 1.0.4 for gta

**emosun** · 11-03-2009, 02:24 AM

You can't because it divides the ram on the card through the various outputs, which is why you would have to be running multiple monitors for the full 2gb to be used.

Blast · 11-03-2009, 06:26 AM

Ok, now is there any way i can use both sets of ram for the game?

**emosun** · 11-03-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emosun

You can't because it divides the ram on the card through the various outputs, which is why you would have to be running multiple monitors for the full 2gb to be used.

Blast · 11-03-2009, 11:47 AM

Ok, so if i ran two monitors would the game then see the 2gb of ram? Also would it come up on 2 screens or jut one (plz be just one >_<).

So there is no way i can work the cards together with a single monitor?

Is the only way i can make use of both gpu's by using two monitors?

If i bought another card and crossfired it to the x2...would i be able to use a single monitor and have access to more ram?

Is there are possible way i can make it (whether i have to buy another card & crossfire or whatnot) so that i can use one monitor and see more than my 1000mb.

Also while roaming the internet it keeps sounding like you can crossfire a single 4870 x2 (like, crossfiring with itself or something), am i understanding something wrong.

I have been reading other forums so the inconsistent answers are making this somewhat confusing

.

Sorry about all these questions, just trying to figure this out

and these should be the last group of questions i ask.

[also, i would like it if you just copied and pasted my questions into an answer so that it is easily understood and i don't have to ask many more if any ;D]

**emosun** · 11-03-2009, 03:29 PM

I'll just put it in a really easy answer

There is no way you can get gta 4 to reconize the full 2gb of ram. Your 4870x2 is made up of two 4870's , and just like two 4870's , when it's in crossfire , only the two gpu's power get combined , not the ram.

However If you just want gta4 to allow you to use higher setting then do this

Go to the gta4 installation directory (most likely c:/ program file / rockstar games / gta4) An create a text file nammed "commandline" , then in that text file just type "-norestrictions" and save the text file. this will allow you to go over the games limits in graphic terms.

Blast · 11-03-2009, 03:32 PM

Cool, well thank you for your help emosun :)

Finally could get a straight answer, many other forums i had checked said you could use them both at once, but nobody said only processing power. Thank you very much.

**emosun** · 11-03-2009, 03:36 PM

I don't know how I can be more straight , it's not going to happen

Blast · 11-03-2009, 03:38 PM

One quick last question, if i say, turn everything to max and go over the limit, will my card be damaged, overheat, etc?

**emosun** · 11-03-2009, 10:22 PM

If your case has decent cooling and the card is being powered properly then it will not overheat or fry.

11-02-2009, 04:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 294 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	[SOLVED] VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) Ok, i have a single monitor (with both DV-I and VGA inputs if that matters) and i am playing Grand Theft Auto IV. Obviously it needs a killer system, which i have. The only issue is the video ram, the 2gb of ram on the 4870 is split into 2 gpus with 1gb. I can't run at max settings because gta only sees 1000mb of ram (because on gpu isn't being used). I am wondering if there is a way to use both gpus to one screen so i can play with a possible 2gb. Also, if it needs something more than a monitor like i have, please state what i would need for a monitor. Thank you :)

11-02-2009, 04:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,088 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) You have to enable crossfire.... __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-02-2009, 05:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Blast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 294 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) And can i do that with a single card? also if i can with my single card, how do i do it. Attach that wire that came with the card? Last edited by Blast; 11-02-2009 at 05:54 PM.

11-02-2009, 06:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,908 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) The 4870x2 has two separate GPUs, so it is essentially two graphics cards, just combined onto one PCB. You have to enable Crossfire for both GPUs to work. You enable it through the Catalyst Control Center that came with the drivers. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

11-02-2009, 08:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Blast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 294 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) I am at version 9.9 and i do not see the crossfire button anywhere. Do i have to roll back to 9.8?

11-02-2009, 08:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,908 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) Nevermind, just checked; it's already enabled by default at the hardware level. So you're already using both GPUs. You're set. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

11-02-2009, 09:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,088 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) I was assuming that the full 2gb would be used because it's one card/pcb. But as with all sli and crossfire , the gpu power is combined not the ram power. If you were running dual monitors THEN the full 2gb would be in use. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-02-2009, 10:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
Blast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 294 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) Ok, well, i know this probably isn't the correct section anymore (probably would fit in a game area), but i have catalyst ai on now and i started gta iv. It shows only 1000mb of video ram. 1000mb is just one of the gpus, how can i get the second from the 4870 x2 to show up in the game, or isn't gta iv supporting of crossfire/cat ai. Note i am at version 1.0.4 for gta

11-03-2009, 02:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,088 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) You can't because it divides the ram on the card through the various outputs, which is why you would have to be running multiple monitors for the full 2gb to be used. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-03-2009, 06:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
Blast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 294 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) Ok, now is there any way i can use both sets of ram for the game?

11-03-2009, 11:47 AM	#12 (permalink)
Blast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 294 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) Ok, so if i ran two monitors would the game then see the 2gb of ram? Also would it come up on 2 screens or jut one (plz be just one >_<). So there is no way i can work the cards together with a single monitor? Is the only way i can make use of both gpu's by using two monitors? If i bought another card and crossfired it to the x2...would i be able to use a single monitor and have access to more ram? Is there are possible way i can make it (whether i have to buy another card & crossfire or whatnot) so that i can use one monitor and see more than my 1000mb. Also while roaming the internet it keeps sounding like you can crossfire a single 4870 x2 (like, crossfiring with itself or something), am i understanding something wrong. I have been reading other forums so the inconsistent answers are making this somewhat confusing . Sorry about all these questions, just trying to figure this out and these should be the last group of questions i ask. [also, i would like it if you just copied and pasted my questions into an answer so that it is easily understood and i don't have to ask many more if any ;D] Last edited by Blast; 11-03-2009 at 12:13 PM.

11-03-2009, 03:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,088 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) I'll just put it in a really easy answer There is no way you can get gta 4 to reconize the full 2gb of ram. Your 4870x2 is made up of two 4870's , and just like two 4870's , when it's in crossfire , only the two gpu's power get combined , not the ram. However If you just want gta4 to allow you to use higher setting then do this Go to the gta4 installation directory (most likely c:/ program file / rockstar games / gta4) An create a text file nammed "commandline" , then in that text file just type "-norestrictions" and save the text file. this will allow you to go over the games limits in graphic terms. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-03-2009, 03:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
Blast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 294 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) Cool, well thank you for your help emosun :) Finally could get a straight answer, many other forums i had checked said you could use them both at once, but nobody said only processing power. Thank you very much.

11-03-2009, 03:36 PM	#15 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,088 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: [SOLVED] VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) I don't know how I can be more straight , it's not going to happen __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list

11-03-2009, 03:38 PM	#16 (permalink)
Blast Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 294 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: [SOLVED] VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) One quick last question, if i say, turn everything to max and go over the limit, will my card be damaged, overheat, etc?

11-03-2009, 10:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,088 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: [SOLVED] VisionTek ATI HD 4870 X2 (use both gpu) If your case has decent cooling and the card is being powered properly then it will not overheat or fry. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list