REALLY strange problem

gcaster · 26 Oct 2012 at 22:38

I've just re-done my WC loop (new CPU block) and decided to switch my cards around as it's easier to link them up with the universal block on the bottom.

So, the problem:
The PC boots up but there's no graphics output from either card with the XFX card in the top slot.

There are no problems when:
1) I use the XFX card alone (reference design).
2) I use the MSI card alone (non-referenced design).
3) I use them in crossfire with the MSI card in the top slot. This uses the MSI card as the primary and the XFX card runs as expected in crossfire.

Both cards are 6950s flashed to 6970s and have been running as such for about 18 months. All connections are fine.

Anyone got any thoughts? I'm really confused as to why this happens (or doesn't happen!).

Cheers
G

gcaster · 26 Oct 2012 at 23:22

Really odd considering it works fine with the MSI card running as the primary but thinking about it it might be running a different BIOS. I'll flick the magic switches back to the 6950 BIOSs and report back, probably in the morning now.
Cheers

gcaster · 27 Oct 2012 at 00:58

Well switching the XFX card back over to the 6950 BIOS worked, now time to find a 6970 BIOS that works! Is there much performance difference between a 6950 @ 6970 clocks vs a 6950 @ clocks and with the extra shaders? I imagine it's enough to notice, especially in crossfire.

EDIT: Performance drop seems somewhat minimal thus far, only done a brief test in GW2 but no noticable drop in performance really.

gcaster · 27 Oct 2012 at 01:32

Kinda depressing considering the effort I went to to unlock the MSI card!
Looking to go 1440p soon so will see if it makes much deifference there.

Thanks for the help.