Just performed a fairly detailed test of crossfire performance with 11.11b.
*Test system:
[email protected], 8G, Win7-64, 2xSapphire Radeon 6850
*Tests recorded frame rates at high and ultra* settings, using RadeonPro w/ Oblivion profile.
*1920x1080 Resolution (Returned one of new monitors for defect, not currently running Eyefinity.)
*Skyrim installation patched as of 11/26/11 (.ini tweak to fix shadows, no other mods)
*Baseline 11.11 (not a) drivers. The "a" rev caused problem with another game.
*Drivers were removed with AMD installer, then followed with Driver Sweeper to ensure clean.
11.11-High Detail
---------------
*Inside- 60fps
*Whiterun- 35-50fps
*Plains(outside WR gate to right)- 50fps
RadeonPo reports 90%/50%(imbalanced?) utilization of both gpus.
11.11-Ultra Detail (Shadows High)
-----------------------------
*Inside- 60fps
*Whiterun- 30-45fps
*Plains(outside WR gate to right)- 45-50fps
RadeonPo reports 85%/50% (city) utilization of both gpus.
RadeonPo reports 50%/50% (plains) utilization of both gpus.
11.11b-High Detail
-----------------------------
*Inside- 60fps
*Whiterun- 35-50fps
*Plains(outside WR gate to right)- 55-60
RadeonPro reports 45%/35% (city) utilization of both gpus.
RadeonPro reports 50%/50% (plains) utilization of both gpus.
Minor, evenly spaced microstutter.
Menus are glitchy. Pointer hangs periodically.
11.11b-Ultra Detail (High Shadows)
-----------------------------
*Inside- 60fps
*Whiterun- 35-50fps
*Plains(outside WR gate to right)- 45-50
RadeonPro reports 35%/35% (city) utilization of both gpus.
RadeonPro reports 60%/60% (plains) utilization of both gpus.
Minor, evenly spaced microstutter.
Menus are glitchy. Pointer hangs periodically.
11.11b-Crossfire off
-----------------------------
*Inside- 60fps
*Whiterun- 35-50fps
*Plains(outside WR gate to right)- 45-55
RadeonPro reports 90%/0%
Menus are smooth again.
Summary:
*11.11b Drivers provide no improvement at normal 1920x1080 resolution. They reintroduce minor microstuter and menu pointer hangs occasionally.
*New drivers report significantly lower GPU utilization, but same performance. Not sure if Radeon Pro is reporting gpu utilization correctly.
*Disabling crossfire nets same performance minus microstutter.
*Fail
