Vikingod

Source: Microsoft
Download: Guru3d
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Hotfix KB936710 Microsoft SLI and CrossFire Windows Vista 32/64-bit

Consider the following scenario:

• You have a Windows Vista-based computer that uses a high-performance video card.
• This video card uses multiple graphics processing units (GPUs).

In this scenario, the computer's graphics performance seems to indicate that only a single GPU is being used.

Nvidia & ATi were not the only guilty parties in the Multi-GPU issues, but Windows Vista was implicated, too. Microsoft just posted an update for both 32- and 64-bit versions, fixing issues where operating system would not pass instructions for the 2nd GPU to the driver, meaning SLI/CrossFire would effectively work as a single chip cards.

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

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longo213

This was actually posted one day sooner over The Inquirer.
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=41121

Veridian3

I do wonder if people are misreading this info from MS... this reads to me like its a fix for the 7950GX2 and assorted other cards which use 2 GPU's rather than 2 discrete cards e.g. CF/SLI... the page says:

• You have a Windows Vista-based computer that uses a high-performance video card.
• This video card uses multiple graphics processing units (GPUs).

Note the use of Card rather than Card"S".

Anyone else think the same?

Lelisevis

I'd agree with you veridian. I thought the same thing as soon as I read it though I must admit the whole thing is worded very poorly.

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DH Reviews: If you like them, Digg them. You know it makes sense.

Veridian3

Excellent, glad its not just me

Just Learnin'

But the title on the Microsoft page reads "..multiple graphics cards" then (GPU's) in brackets...?? As you say very poorly worded.

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Mentally confused and prone to wandering.....

Judas

I think i would have noticed some pretty hefty slowdowns in all the 3d apps i've been running if crossfire wasn't working...

This HAS to be specific to multiple GPUs on the same card.

Perhaps this may be related to "down the road" mutliple cards (more then 2)...

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cadaveca

Veridan is correct in his reading...this fix is for dual-gpu cards only. If you apply this patch to a regular "crossfire" or "SLi" system, you may be greated with apps crashing whne windows tries to send info for both cards to one card.