Part 2

Setting up dual graphics cards in a Windows Environment

Congratulations you are nearly there! Only a few small steps are now needed and you can then experience the awesomeness that is the multi-GPU experience.

There are two options here, the first is not always possible but is recommended.

1) a fresh install of operating system before enabling dual graphics cards

2) Installing and enabling dual graphics cards from within an existing operating system.

New OS

During the installation process generic graphic card drivers will be installed by Windows that will enable you to get the basic functionality. Once the installation of your OS has been completed and you have installed the motherboard drivers and any other chipset drivers that you want, reboot your system and then install the latest driver for your graphic card. If you have not previously downloaded the latest drivers for your graphic cards do so. The latest drivers can be downloaded directly from Nvidia and AMD.

Nvidia Drivers

AMD Drivers

Once downloaded begin the installation process. Decide which of the options you wish to install or simply select the default express install. On completing of the graphic drivers being installed reboot your system. Once you have rebooted into OS you will notice that you have a pop up notification with Windows 7 informing you that SLi or CrossFire (dual graphic cards) is available. Click on the notification or open the respective control panel.

Nvidia

• Open the Nvidia Control  Panel by selecting the Nvidia icon in the system tray, use the Windows control panel, or even via the advanced section of the display properties.

• Once open select the Set SLI configuration page located in the frame on the left.

• select Enable SLI technology (recommended) or Maximize 3D Performance (depending on your driver version).

And you are all done!

AMD Catalyst Control Center (CCC)

• Open CCC by selecting the icon in the system tray, using Windows control panel or even via the advanced section of the display properties.
• Once open select the drop down menu graphics top left corner.
• Select CrossFireX

• Select Enable CrossFireX

And you are done!

Existing OS

You MUST uninstall previous drivers before installing new drivers. Ideally you should uninstall these drivers BEFORE even installing your new graphics card! This minimizes driver-hardware errors and the chance of a Windows blue screen or system reset as the PC boots up.

Once both the cards are correctly mounted and the system powered up, you will see a notification popup informing of the detection of the two new graphics cards. Simply follow the same steps listed above to enable dual cards.

Enjoy your dual card experience, and let us know if you need any help or have any other tricks, in the forums!