RX 480 Crossfire issue

Ryujin2003 · April 11, 2017

Hello everyone,

So my recent build is as follows:

CPU: Ryzen 1700x

Cooler: H100i v2

MB: MSI x370 Carbon Pro

GPU: MSI RX 480 8GB Gaming X (x2)

Main Storage: Samsung 960 Evo 500GB

PSU: Corsair RMx 750

So, I just upgraded my build from an old FX 6350. So far, I absolutely love my new setup. It's faster and handles my work load very well. I built it for productivity and virtualization, with a dash of gaming whenever I find free time.

Both of my RX 480's work independently. They will both work with no issues in applications and gaming. The issue is when I try to enable crossfire in AMD Radeon Settings. I can enable crossfire; however, none of my applications will open. Unigine Heaven and Valley will start to load, screen goes black, then the app "experiences an issue" with driver aticfx32.dll. The only way to open them with CF enabled is to run them in OpenGL setting instead of DX 11. None of my games will open at all. The screen goes black, but then they fail to actually run. I get an error report and they close. This happens with the majority of any visually demanding applications.

I don't think it's a hardware issue, but also cannot find much online for assistance. Most CF guides are install drivers, install second GPU, and call it a day. I've tried having one GPU in, uninstalling all drivers, then reinstalling the drivers. Install second GPU, then select crossfire, with a system restart inbetween each step. I've also tried the same with both GPUs installed.

I have verified both GPU's detected in Device Manager and Radeon Settings. Any suggestions (aside from "upgrade to a better GPU")? I'm borrowing from a friend who is waiting on MB RAM. So trying it out, or at least attempting to.

Everything works fine with CF off in settings.

April 11, 2017

14 minutes ago, Ryujin2003 said:

Hello everyone,

So my recent build is as follows:

CPU: Ryzen 1700x

Cooler: H100i v2

MB: MSI x370 Carbon Pro

GPU: MSI RX 480 8GB Gaming X (x2)

Main Storage: Samsung 960 Evo 500GB

PSU: Corsair RMx 750

So, I just upgraded my build from an old FX 6350. So far, I absolutely love my new setup. It's faster and handles my work load very well. I built it for productivity and virtualization, with a dash of gaming whenever I find free time.

Both of my RX 480's work independently. They will both work with no issues in applications and gaming. The issue is when I try to enable crossfire in AMD Radeon Settings. I can enable crossfire; however, none of my applications will open. Unigine Heaven and Valley will start to load, screen goes black, then the app "experiences an issue" with driver aticfx32.dll. The only way to open them with CF enabled is to run them in OpenGL setting instead of DX 11. None of my games will open at all. The screen goes black, but then they fail to actually run. I get an error report and they close. This happens with the majority of any visually demanding applications.

I don't think it's a hardware issue, but also cannot find much online for assistance. Most CF guides are install drivers, install second GPU, and call it a day. I've tried having one GPU in, uninstalling all drivers, then reinstalling the drivers. Install second GPU, then select crossfire, with a system restart inbetween each step. I've also tried the same with both GPUs installed.

I have verified both GPU's detected in Device Manager and Radeon Settings. Any suggestions (aside from "upgrade to a better GPU")? I'm borrowing from a friend who is waiting on MB RAM. So trying it out, or at least attempting to.

Everything works fine with CF off in settings.

Hmm, that's quite strange! Have you tried a different PCI-E slot?

Ryujin2003 · April 11, 2017

2 hours ago, sticknosecone said:

Hmm, that's quite strange! Have you tried a different PCI-E slot?

Each PCIE slot works with individual cards. Tested with both cards. Games and everything work with one RX 480, but as soon as I go into the global gaming settings and turn on Crossfire, nothing opens up again....

Maybe I will have to try DDU tonight after work and try reinstalling? Which option is the appropriate way? Keeping both cards in the MB or remove the second one first, and reinstall after drivers are installed?

Ryujin2003 · April 14, 2017

On 04/11/2017 at 10:46 AM, sticknosecone said:

Hmm, that's quite strange! Have you tried a different PCI-E slot?

Yeah, every PCIE slot worked... but still didn't seem to fix itself. I went on a trip to NYC for 2 days, came back, and now it just randomly works... super weird. I don't know, but maybe just plugging and unplugging reseated something? Not sure. It's solved for now.