CrossFire ignites an entirely new gaming experience that works with all your games, all the time, with the power of multiple GPUs within a single PC.

CrossFire is an exciting new technology developed by ATI that allows the power of multiple Graphics Processing Units to be combined in a single system.

Key benefits include:

  • Ultimate Performance: Up to two times the frame rates of a single GPU.
  • Ultimate Image Quality: Up to twice the anti-aliasing quality of a single GPU, at full speed.
  • Ultimate Compatibility: Improves the experience in any 3D application.
  • Ultimate Flexibility: Simple upgrade for single GPU systems, driving single or multiple displays.
    ATI CrossFire system with dual graphics cards
    ATI CrossFire system with dual graphics cards

  • Unite and Dominate
    Combined Multi-GPU power that soars into a new dimension of graphics capability

  • Divide and Conquer with ATI's Supertiling
    High-performance GPU sharing that works with all games, all the time

  • Render and Rule
    The highest image quality and screen resolutions even with the most demanding 3D titles

  • Your Ultimate PC future
    Keep ahead of fast-moving gaming effects and technology changes with CrossFire's advanced features.

    CrossFire - Features

    ATI's CrossFire propels your gaming PC to a new pinnacle of performance with the ultimate multi-GPU consumer graphics solution.

    Enjoy the highest image quality modes and resolutions that you have always wanted, even with the most demanding 3D titles. Get out-of-the-box compatibility and afterburner acceleration for all your games without special game software or patches.

    Unite and Dominate-with multiple ATI GPUs
    CrossFire's unique parallel processing technology has development roots going back to ATI's multi-GPU Rage Fury MAXX. Based on the same technology used with ATI-based commercial flight simulators, CrossFire soars into a new dimension of graphics capability with multiple Radeon graphics processing units (GPUs) working together in your PC.

    Divide and Conquer-with ATI's Supertiling
    ATI's CrossFire speeds your gaming momentum with "supertiling," high-performance GPU sharing that evenly divides the processing and graphics rendering workload.

    How Supertiling Works:
  • Think of your screen image divided into subsections like a checkerboard, with alternating black and white "tiles."
  • CrossFire's Supertiling intelligently alternates rendering duties of these tiles to each Radeon GPU for consistent, efficient load balancing with hassle-free compatibility. CrossFire's options include a multiple load-sharing "scissor" mode and an alternate frame-rate mode, combining optimal performance with game-conquering compatibility.

    Render and Rule
    ATI's CrossFire boosts image quality along with rendering speed, eliminating the need to crank down screen resolutions to get the high image quality you want.

    CrossFire ignites with the higher antialiasing, anisotropic filtering, shading, and texture settings you desire. Adjust your display configurations, experiment with your advanced 3D settings, and check the effect with a real-time 3D-rendered preview within ATI's Catalyst Control Center to rule your CrossFire system.

    CrossFire-Now and Future

    Keep ahead of fast-moving gaming effects and technology changes with CrossFire's advanced features.
  • Upgradeable components allow you to gradually improve your system performance with the reliability and support that only ATI delivers.
  • Free monthly on-line Catalyst software updates, ATI's one-click comprehensive help system, and web-based online customer support are available 24 hours per day.

    Supporting a wide range of ATI-based graphics cards and motherboards, the CrossFire platform offers flexibility and compatibility with all of today's Radeon X800, X850, and the all-new X1000 Series graphics cards and the latest powerhouse processors to make your next gaming experience the zenith of PC perfection.

  • How it work
  • Build-Your-Own

    How it work

    Build your own multi-GPU gaming system with a CrossFire Ready motherboard, ideally based on ATI's all new, high performance CrossFire Xpress 3200 chipset. Plug in a Radeon X1K Series CrossFire Ready graphics card and a compatible CrossFire Edition card, or a second compatible CrossFire Ready graphics card to unite ultimate multi-GPU gaming power.

    The all-new Radeon X1300 and X1600 graphics cards do not need a CrossFire Edition co-processor or external cable. Just plug in two cards from the same series and use the Catalyst Control Center software to command your ultimate gaming experience!

    Compatibility Chart
    Card One Card Two
    Radeon X1900 Series Radeon X1900 CrossFire Edition
    Radeon X1800 Series Radeon X1800 CrossFire Edition
    Radeon X1600 Series Radeon X1600 Series
    Radeon X1300 Series Radeon X1300 Series
    Radeon X850 Series Radeon X850 CrossFire Edition
    Radeon X800, PRO, XL, GTO, XT or XT Platinum Edition Radeon X800 CrossFire Edition


    CrossFire is the most sophisticated and powerful technology currently available for multi-GPU graphics rendering. It consists of the following components:
  • Radeon CrossFire Edition graphics card with Compositing Engine
  • Secondary PCI Express graphics card with Crossefire Ready GPU
  • CrossFire Ready motherboard with dual PCI Express graphics slots
  • Catalyst driver with CrossFire support
  • CrossFire Support Power Supply

    Build-Your-Own

    Simple installation and setup
  • Only three components: a CrossFire Ready motherboard, ideally based on the ATI CrossFire Xpress chipset, a compatible Radeon graphics card, and a related Radeon CrossFire Edition co-processor board.
  • NEW! Radeon X1300 and X1600 CrossFire Ready cards do not require an external connector. CrossFire mode is enabled via ATI Catalyst software and the cards communicate over the PCI Express bus.

    Purchase the components to build your own CrossFire computer system from ATI trusted graphics card and motherboard partners.

    Motherboard Partners: Abit, ASUS, DFI, ECS, MSI, Sapphire, PCPartner

    Graphics Card Partners: ASUS, Club, Connect3D, Diamond, Gecube, Gigabyte, HIS, MSI, Palit, Sapphire, Tul, Visiontek

    AMD CrossFire and Dual Graphics Requirements and Setup FAQ

  • How do I know my AMD Radeon HD Graphics card is capable of supporting AMD Radeon Dual Graphics?
    There are two main ways to find out if your system can support AMD Radeon Dual Graphics. One, you can go to www.amd.com/dualgraphics and get the latest information, including all supported discrete GPUs. Two, if you purchase an AMD A-Series APU for your desktop PC as an individual processor-in-a-box (PIB), the right hand panel will show the supported discrete GPUs for that particular APU model.

  • Does AMD Radeon Dual Graphics work with AMD Eyefinity Technology?
    AMD Radeon Dual Graphics will support AMD Eyefinity Technology as long as your discrete GPU supports AMD Eyefinity Technology and monitors are plugged into the discrete GPU outputs.

  • What are the system requirements for AMD CrossFire?
    The minimum requirements to run AMD CrossFire are:
    • 2x or more AMD Radeon HD2000 series or greater graphics cards that are within the same family model number. E.g. 2 x AMD Radeon HD6770
    • An AMD CrossFire supporting motherboard
    • At least one AMD CrossFire interconnect bridge for each additional graphics card

    Note - Running more than one graphics card on a system may require a higher rated power supply or a power supply that features enough power connections for each graphics card. Please refer to the list of AMD CrossFire certified power supplies.

  • I Have Multiple AMD Radeon Graphics Cards Setup in AMD Crossfire technology. Which Output Connectors Can Be Used?
    AMD Crossfire technology enables the output connectors on the primary graphics card. The primary graphics card is the one located closest to the CPU.

  • Why doesn't my DirectX 9 game look better on AMD Radeon Dual Graphics?
    AMD Radeon Dual Graphics was designed only for the latest DirectX levels to allow AMD to focus resources on providing an optimal user experience on the latest graphics technologies. AMD encourages users to take advantage of these and numerous other innovations that have come to market recently by upgrading system hardware.

    AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series graphics, found in both AMD A-Series APUs and discrete video cards, are designed to deliver the best possible DirectX 11 experience. As such, the dual graphics performance increase is applicable to select DirectX 11 & DirectX 10 enabled applications. For DirectX 9 applications, the combined performance will be disabled and the fastest graphics engine will perform those tasks; however, users will still experience the speed and performance of AMD Radeon graphics.

  • What happens when graphics cards with varying memory speeds and engine clocks are paired together?
    The overall performance will be adjusted to match the memory speeds and engine clocks of the lower clocked card. To obtain the ideal performance, graphics cards should be paired correctly using the AMD Crossfire compatibility chart.

  • Where do I plug my monitor in to get the best performance when using AMD Radeon Dual Graphics technology?
    For best performance, AMD recommends plugging the display into your discrete graphics card. This will ensure that even applications that do not take advantage of AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics will still be able to run on the faster graphics card in your system. However, to be more accurate, we recommend that you plug your monitor into the AMD Radeon graphics with the higher model number. If that is your APU, plug into the motherboard, if it is your discrete graphics card, plug into that.

  • Why doesn't AMD Radeon Dual Graphics work with Windows XP?
    AMD Radeon Dual Graphics was designed for the latest Microsoft Windows operating system; this allows AMD to focus resources on providing an optimal user experience on the latest platform technology. AMD encourages users to upgrade to the latest operating system to take full advantage of the features and benefits of Windows 7 (including DirectX 10 & Direct 11) to ensure users get the best performance for what they do with their PC. For users that continue to use Windows XP and previous versions, dual graphics combined performance functionality will be disabled and the fastest graphics engine will perform those tasks.

  • I Have Multiple AMD Radeon Graphics Cards Installed and Have Disabled AMD Crossfire Technology on My System. Which Display Modes Can Be Used?
    The Clone (presentation), Extended, and AMD Eyefinity technology modes can be enabled on each of the installed graphics card by running AMD Crossfire technology on your system. Multiple monitor setups can be configured through the AMD Catalyst Control Center or AMD VISION Engine Control Center.

    Here is a brief description of each mode and its function:

    Clone (Presentation) Mode:
  • In this mode, the same identical desktop is shown on both displays simultaneously. Both monitors will run at the same resolution and refresh rate.
    • Clone mode is useful for presentations where one display is in front of the presenter and the other display is in front of the audience.

    Note: Clone mode does not clone displays on different graphics cards. Clone mode only works on displays that are connected to the same graphics cards.

    Extended Mode:
  • Each monitor is configured with separate settings (resolution, refresh rates, color quality). The Windows desktop is extended between the two or more monitors (except for the task bar).
  • In extended mode, the displays can be rotated between portrait and landscape view to maximize working desktop space.


AMD Eyefinity Group Mode:

  • The Windows desktop is stretched between two or more monitors and is treated as one large desktop, complete with a Windows taskbar across all screens. The final resolution is the horizontal and vertical sum of the individual monitors.
  • Example: 4 x monitors arranged in a 2 x 2 configuration and each running at 1280 X 1024 = desktop area now running at 2560 X 2048



Note: The AMD Eyefinity group mode is not available under the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.

For more information on the AMD Eyefinity Group Configuration, please also read our Setting up AMD Eyefinity Technology Display Groups knowledgebase article.


AMD Radeon Dual Graphics was designed for the latest Microsoft Windows operating system; this allows AMD to focus resources on providing an optimal user experience on the latest platform technology. AMD encourages users to upgrade to the latest operating system to take full advantage of the features and benefits of Windows 7 (including DirectX 10 & Direct 11) to ensure users get the best performance for what they do with their PC. For users that continue to use Windows XP and previous versions, dual graphics combined performance functionality will be disabled and the fastest graphics engine will perform those tasks.

  • How many AMD Radeon graphics cards can I have in an AMD CrossFire configuration?
    AMD Crossfire is limited to a maximum of four GPUs in an AMD CrossFire configuration; either four AMD Radeon graphics cards each with a single GPU or two AMD Radeon graphics cards that feature two GPUs per graphics card, such as the AMD Radeon HD 6990.

  • With a multi-monitor setup, why do some of the displays become disabled when I enable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics?
    AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is a form of AMD CrossFireX Technology and with the current solution only displays from the 'master' graphics device (the one that monitors are plugged into) are available. The other displays are disabled. To ensure your displays remain available, make sure to connect your displays to the 'master' graphics device. The 'master' device settings can be found in the AMD VISION Engine Control Center, which is the user interface for the drivers and installation package.

  • I just bought an AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series graphics card. How do I configure my PC to take advantage of AMD Radeon Dual Graphics?
    To take advantage of AMD Radeon Dual Graphics, you must use a compatible AMD A-Series APU to pair with your supported AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series card. After installation of your graphics card, install the latest AMD graphics drivers. After driver installation, the option to enable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics should become available in the AMD VISION Engine Control Center.

    Once installed, go into the "Performance" section of the AMD VISION Engine Control Center and check the box that says 'Enable Crossfire' - this will allow the AMD A-Series APU graphics to work in tandem with the select AMD Radeon HD 6000 Series GPU installed for increased graphics performance.
    System Building and Compatibility Information: The following section offers information about building and operating an AMD processor-based system. Some of the information you will find in this area includes recommended motherboards, recommended thermal solutions/heatsinks, power supply guidelines, memory guidelines and more.

  • AMD APU
  • AMD Athlon Processor
  • AMD Opteron Processor
  • AMD Phenom Processor
  • AMD Sempron Processor
  • Processor Family Support Components

    AMD Recommended Components:
    AMD Gold Recommended components are components manufactured by AMD ecosystem partners that have passed AMD in-house testing. These components have demonstrated quality, stability and ease of use. For a great user experience, choose an AMD Gold Recommended component.

    AMD Eyefinity Technology
    Expand your visual real estate and experience enhanced productivity with components and software recommended by AMD.
  • AMD Eyefinity Adaptors
  • AMD Eyefinity Games
  • DisplayPort 1.2 MST Capable Devices

    AMD HD3D Technology
    Be a part of the action with AMD HD3D technology and learn more about supported components and stereo 3D software solutions.

  • 3D Displays

    AMD CrossFire Technology
    Experience the best in quality, interoperability and a positive user experience.
  • PC Power Supplies for AMD Radeon Graphics cards
  • Motherboards for AMD Radeon Graphic Cards
  • AMD Hybrid Graphics
    The ATI Hybrid Graphics technology, is a collective brand from AMD for its Radeon line of discrete and integrated GPU, promoting higher performance and productivity while saving energy consumption in GPUs. The technology previously applied to selected chipsets of the AMD 700 chipset series and AMD 800 chipset series only. The ATI Hybrid Graphics technology was announced on January 23, 2008 with Radeon HD 2400 series and Radeon HD 3400 series video cards supporting hybrid graphics functionality. Originally, ATI announced this feature would only be supported in Vista, but in August 2008 they included support in their Windows XP drivers as well. The architecture has been patented by ATI. The previous generation of Hybrid Crossfire paired 890GX or 880G (Radeon HD4290 and HD 4250 respectively) motherboards from the AMD 800 chipset series with an HD 5450, 5550, 5570 or 5670 Radeon video card from the Radeon HD 5000 series. Newer information suggests that A6-series and A8-series AMD APUs can be used in Hybrid Crossfire (Subsequently called "Dual Graphics") with HD 6570 and HD 6670 video cards. Dual-graphic-capable second-generation Trinity A-series APUs like the A8-5500 and A10-5700, with HD 75 / 76 series GPUs, and based on Socket FM2, are expected in June 2012.

    Hybrid CrossFire / Hybrid CrossFireX / Dual Graphics
    The Hybrid CrossFireX is a technology allowing the IGP, or Integrated Graphics Processor, and the discrete GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit, to form a CrossFire setup to enhance the system capability to render 3D scenes, while the Hybrid CrossFire X technology is present on the 790GX and 890G chipsets, with two supplied physical PCI-E x16 slots at x8 bandwidth, can form a Hybrid CrossFire X setup with two video cards and the IGP, enhancing the 3D rendering capabilities.

    Initial performance results paired with a Radeon HD 2400 video card leads to a 50% performance increase over standalone Radeon HD 2400 performance, notebook products will also be available.

    Notes:
    Hybrid CrossFire X was formerly only available on 790GX, 780G, 760G, 785G, and 880G and 890GX chipsets, but now A6-series and A8-series AMD Fusion APUs can be used in "Dual Graphic" configurations with HD 6570 & HD 6670 video cards.