Two questions.

gdeptula:

Okay, no idea what's going on. Installed Skyrim started it up. The game auto-detected "ultra high'' setting, yet when I started playing the game, it plays like a slide show. I had to change the settings to ''low'' to get a decent frame rate. I don't even know at this point. Any ideas?

@realneil What's the latest version and how to I ''flash the board?''

The BIOS flashing programs that are included are usually designed for 16-bit systems; which in this case the 32-bit Windows can run... 16-bit and BIOS go a long way together and in a way, they're somewhat mutually exclusive (as in one needs the other type of way.)

Since you have a 64-bit system, that type of BIOS flashing is unavailable to you (unless you can find a 64-bit BIOS flasher, but that's going to be hard.). Instead download the BIOS file, copy it to a USB flash drive then reset, do into the BIOS and look for the key to press to enter the BIOS flasher (in this case, your BIOS flasher should be M-Flash.) enter it, browse to your USB drive, select the BIOS and let it update; do not turn off your system or restart for any reason unless prompted to do so. Once you're prompted and you restart your system, your BIOS should be installed... Trust me, I did the same thing to flash the BIOS on my Maximus III GENE board.

And as I mentioned before; 1.C is the latest version... As for your 3D cards; you should download a program called GPU-Z to make sure that your cards are working as they should. (as in the appropriate clocks and GPU usage, your GPU clocks should be a high number when you play a game, for both of them.) GPU-Z contains not only the graphics card information but also graphics card monitoring... It's actually pretty good and it can give you helpful information when it comes to not only monitoring temps, but overclocking as well.

EDIT: Also this might be unlikely but it seems like Skyrim doesn't seem to be working well with your drivers, similar to another game RAGE which Bethesda (the company behind the two) released. Don't know if it's the problem or not but it's very unlikely.

gdeptula:

Okay, no idea what's going on. Installed Skyrim started it up. The game auto-detected "ultra high'' setting, yet when I started playing the game, it plays like a slide show.

@gdeptula,  I just found out that Skyrim wont work in crossfire at this moment, and that AMD is preparing those drivers to come out as fast as possible. Since you have the GPU's in the proper slot now, I suggest for the moment you only use 1 GPU until AMD ,makes available those drivers."

Here is the Article:Nvidia hit us with its 285.79 beta driver capable of enabling SLI in Skyrim, while AMD claims its CrossFire driver is on the way. It's just a shame there's nothing to show the folks looking to play this game with a pair of Radeons at launch.

Source:Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: PC Performance, Benchmarked http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skyrim-performance-benchmark,3074-10.html

"One other thing is , before you do that, is to confirm with others games that Crossfire is working properly. Also try so see if the hibernation issue has been resolve , just in case it was the card being in the wrong was the culprit"

"I would like to take this opportunity to put a Disclaimer about my post above. Flashing a Bios is not always a guaranteed successful process. The MSI Live Flash update feature through Windows has worked for many people and has not worked for others. While it seem  easier through the Windows based option in MSI Live, many would recommend to do it with a USB drive instead or the old school way like the Pro's."

"So, with regards to this issue, I would like that you take note with what I said above the Updating the Bios part first,  to see if the card being in the wrong slot has anything to do with the hibernation issue"

"But off course, its always recommended to have the latest most up to date Bios."   

Live update has worked for me every single time that I've used it in the past. I feel that it's stable enough to recommend to others.

The only thing that can screw it up is a power failure during the actual flash process. And this is just as fatal no matter what method that you're using.

The disclaimer works well for CYA purposes. But BIOS flashing these days is far more civilized than it used to be.

Wheatley:

"I would like to take this opportunity to put a Disclaimer about my post above. Flashing a Bios is not always a guaranteed successful process. The MSI Live Flash update feature through Windows has worked for many people and has not worked for others. While it seem  easier through the Windows based option in MSI Live, many would recommend to do it with a USB drive instead or the old school way like the Pro's."

There is an edit button you know, you've been here a long time to recognize that... In the words of MC Lyte. "Let me explain how I maintain and for you to grow/for you who don't know it's called H20 so stop asking when I walk by/How I look so young and stay that fly, It's elementary/kick the liquor when you turn for the 30, the rest is a secret for I keep it for the worthy." You have not seemed to learn anything, in fact you type and act like a immature 15 year old kid.

Anyway, I've used Live Update before and they've seen to come up with a 64-bit way of updating your BIOS but the method I suggested works for other motherboards since ASUS doesn't have something like Live Update; it's not because the pro's do it, it's because they have no choice. Hell; I'd like to update it through Windows but I had to use a USB drive.

Also nice job suggesting him stuff that I already suggested, learn to read son.

EDIT: The article you linked to only shows one SLI config in their results; while a SLI 580 setup or others being shown would of been nice, it just isn't that much an accurate representation of what SLI could do on the game.

Optimus & Taylor

This constant discord and bickering between the two of you has to stop. Prior, gentle suggestions don't seem to be getting through to you.

We like to try and keep a positive and upbeat flow here, and the problem between the two of you is blowing that out of the water.

So, though I hate to do this, (and should not HAVE to) here is some moderation.

In the future restrict your bickering and name calling to private messages between yourselves. Do not bring it into the public eye here on our forums or your posts will be moderated or deleted. Refer to one another by your registered names here on the boards and stop making up names that do not exist.

(you also have the option to just discontinue discourse between the two of you)

Having to constantly police your conversations will only be tolerated for a short while. If you two cannot get it together and be civil towards one another, you will be referred to our Admins for appropriate action.

We regard both of you as valuable members of our forum & both of you have a lot to contribute.

Consider this a warning.

Alright, I found CCC and downloaded the latest version (I no longer have AMD Vision Control Center but actual Catalyst Control Center when I right click on the desktop). My AMD video driver and Steam client areup to date. After switching the GPU into the other slot, the slow boot from hibernation still persist, although slightly faster since I turned off a few needless startup programs (cold boot is also faster, obviously). 

I downloaded Live Update 5 and scanned my computer. It came back with about 10 updates, one being the 1.C version BIOS. Another one that caught my attention was something called "JMicron JMB36X Driver." I don't know what it is, but it's second on the list and not even installed. The rest on the list looked newer versions of drivers I already have or features of hardware in my machine.

I know there's an edit button, but the two time I've tried to edit my previous comment, the site times out.

Anyway, what I was trying to say is:

I feel that I should mention that SC2 is performing like Skyrim at this point. The frame rate is low and inconsistent and shaders tend to flicker frequently. 

I don't know if this is also related, but web pages tend to "time out" more frequently than they had before, and during boot from hibernation, the windows logo isn't smooth, but chugs as the four colored spheres come together to form the logo.

gdeptula:

I know there's an edit button

That comment was not directed towards you gdeptula.

_________________________________________________

If you move the mouse pointer to 'no icon' on your desktop and right click it, a sub-menu appears,.....

You can select to go into AMD's CCC program from there. Do that.

Then look under gaming settings and see if you have the option to enable crossfire acceleration on your system,....do that if it's not already enabled.

Try gaming with it now if it's just been enabled.

Also, on the AMD site, they'll put up ~crossfire profiles~ for games that will tweak your settings for each game you're playing. I understand that you game isn't on there yet,....but it should be soon. Once it's there, install that crossfire profile for your game and enable it.

One question,....if you remove one of the video cards from the system entirely, does the performance improve? How about when the cards are swapped out leaving the other card alone in the system?

@realneil I knew that what you said wasn't directed toward me. I was just being informative cause I'm a bit paranoid when I don't define things specifically, haha.

I did as you suggested and took out the card in the PCI_E5 slot. I didn't notice a change in performance.

I haven't installed the 1.C version BIOS. It asked to install with a floppy or in Windows mode. I imagine I'd use the second one, not sure though?

gdeptula:

I took out the card in the PCI_E5 slot. I didn't notice a change in performance.

Isn't PCI_E5 the slot which MSI recommends for dual GPU usage... If so then I think you just took out your second card before you got to confirm if Crossfire was working or not; if I'm understanding that correctly.

Anyway; sucks, did you check to see if Crossfire is enabled and the graphics cards are working as they should... In GPU-Z it should tell you if Crossfire is enabled or disabled. If disabled then you might want to double check to see if everything's working properly and if everything's connected... Something could be lose in your system.

gdeptula:

I haven't installed the 1.C version BIOS. It asked to install with a floppy or in Windows mode. I imagine I'd use the second one, not sure though?

Unless you have a floppy drive, use the second one... Every user has positive things to say about the Windows method and I'm sure you've read the posts describing the method in general and I'm sure you know the risks.

So... Click the second one...

I feel like I should just re-install Windows...

gdeptula:

I did as you suggested and took out the card in the PCI_E5 slot. I didn't notice a change in performance.

This Indicates that crossfire is not enabled.

Swapping the cards out alone in the system and trying them was to see if one is better performing than the other. You should still do this.

There is a proper placement for the second card in your system for crossfire to work properly. sounds like both Optimus & Taylor are on to something here. We HAVE to know that you have placed the cards (both of them) into X16 speed PCI-E slots.

Both of them.

I'm on an iPad right now and can't do a lot of research, but your manual has the information in it. It should also have all of the steps and sequences you have to do to enable crossfire properly. You should take the time to read it through and ensure that you are doing it right.

gdeptula:

I feel like I should just re-install Windows...

Not indicated yet,.......

I switched the second card last night. It was in the PCI_E4 slot on my board. Moved it down one. I think I posted that on the previous page, maybe on the top of this one. 

I'm gonna go ahead and install the 1.C version BIOS. See if that does anything.

OK, so the cards are positioned properly.

Now, stupid questions, but have to make sure of some things,.......you have power plugged into the video cards directly from your Power supply unit, right?

Both power plugs on each card are filled?

You have the crossfire connector on top of the cards, connecting them to one another?

When you go into BIOS setup, 

You have any on board graphics disabled?  Right?

When you boot into Windows, you have crossfire enabled and you're showing the cards as being "Linked" ?

Make all of this so and then try it out to see if it is better.

Post back then with results.

realneil:

gdeptula:

I feel like I should just re-install Windows...

Not indicated yet,.......

"Hey gdeptula don't give up.  Listen,  how about if we forget about the bios Flash for a moment. Lets concentrate on the cards. How about you do this. Do you remember what folder you downloaded the latest AMD drivers for the card, if not, have it on your *Desktop* ready to click on it. "

Lets do some troubleshooting like realneil suggested

1. Since you appear to have upgrade from a very old version of the AMD drivers, the new version may have inherit the problems of the old one.

2. UN-Install  the Catalyst Drives completely along with anything associated with it. 

3. Turn Off the machine. Disconnect the second card , use only the first and turn on you machine. Install the Drivers and test a game out. If the problem still persist. Take out the first card, leave it out, and use the second card in the first slot. Test it out and see if the issues are still there. 

4. get back to us.

realneil:

OK, so the cards are positioned properly..........Post back

"Sorry, for interfering, As I was writing, I did not see your response until I hit the Post button."

Also, the screen should be connected to the upper video card. Not the lower one. Just one connection to your screen as well.

I'm assuming that the connection from your computer to the screen is either white, or an HDMI cable. If it's a blue cable, or PLUG, it's not the right one.

No problem,...interfere if it helps him get the PC working,........

everything being posted by all of us is helpfull. Once we know the connections are proper, then we can test it and going to a clean driver installation is a logical next step.

Wow, you guys are great. Thank you for your continued help with this matter.

Okay, gonna answer questions rapid fire here;

@realneil Yes, both cards were correctly connected from the power supply and both Crossfire connectors were snug (at this time, only one card is installed). The mobo that I'm using doesn't have an on-board GPU. When they were both installed, at first it said ''disabled,'' at which point I enabled Crossfire. After doing that, it read ''linked'' instead of ''disabled'' and gave me the option to click and drop down info on that card. That's when I noticed that the second card was in the PCI_E4 slot, which I switched immediately (I believe this is around the time that you suggested that I remove one card to see if there was a change in performance, also why there's still only one card installed at the moment).

@OptimusPrimeTime I believe I deleted the installer for CCC, which was the last video driver related thing I downloaded. Should I download it again?

gdeptula:

@OptimusPrimeTime I believe I deleted the installer for CCC, which was the last video driver related thing I downloaded. Should I download it again?

"Yes, download it again http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/2054/ATI_Catalyst_11.10_Software_Suite_Vista7_64-bit.html

 and have on the desktop"

When you connect the second card again, don't use the second crossfire connector. That is for connecting three or more cards together. so,...just one crossfire connector between your two cards only please.

Get the latest driver and have the file on hand to use.

Then, uninstall your current driver completely and reboot using just one card.

Use the new driver file and install it.

Reboot and game a little to see how it works. If OK,

Shut down and connect the second video card and boot.

Get the crossfire going and test it out.

Good luck with it.

Wait....

You're only suppose to connect  one of the connectors between two cards?

Okay, file downloaded and on the desktop as I write this. Gonna go over what you told me to do to make sure I'm following both of you correctly.

1. Uninstall the current video driver using the file OptimusPrimeTime said to download again, reboot.

2. Install using the same file that I uninstalled with before the reboot, reboot again.

3. Test a game, if it works, turn off and install second card only using one connector.