# AMD CrossFireX

> brand name for a multi-GPU solution for linking two or more GPUs to produce a single output

**Wikidata**: [Q294944](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q294944)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD_CrossFire)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amd-crossfirex

## Summary
AMD CrossFireX is a brand name for a multi-GPU solution designed to link two or more graphics cards to produce a single image output. Developed by AMD, this technology allows multiple GPUs to work in tandem to increase graphical processing power for a single display.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), an American multinational semiconductor company.
- **Primary Function:** Multi-GPU solution for linking two or more GPUs.
- **Hardware Class:** Utilizes graphics cards (expansion cards that generate display feeds).
- **Configurations:** Supports 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way CrossFire setups.
- **Parent Company Inception:** AMD was founded on May 1, 1969.
- **Official Website:** http://www.amd.com/en-us/innovations/software-technologies/technologies-gaming/crossfire.
- **Common Aliases:** AMD CrossFire, ATI Crossfire, CrossFireX, Hybrid-Crossfire, and Radeon Dual Graphics.
- **Global Presence:** Associated with AMD’s headquarters in Santa Clara, California (formerly Sunnyvale).

## FAQs
### Q: What does AMD CrossFireX do?
A: It is a technology that links multiple graphics cards together so they can function as a single unit. This combined processing power is used to generate a single output feed to a display, typically to improve performance in graphically intensive tasks.

### Q: How many graphics cards can be used with CrossFireX?
A: The technology is designed to support multiple configurations, specifically 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way setups. This allows a user to link up to four compatible GPUs to work together on a single motherboard.

### Q: Is AMD CrossFireX the same as the game CrossfireX?
A: No. In technical and knowledge databases, AMD CrossFireX is explicitly distinguished from the entity "CrossfireX," which refers to a different product (typically a video game).

## Why It Matters
AMD CrossFireX represents a significant milestone in the development of high-performance computing and gaming. By providing a structured method to link multiple GPUs, it solved the problem of hardware limitations for users requiring more graphical power than a single card could provide. This modular approach allowed for performance scaling, where users could add additional graphics cards to their existing systems rather than replacing them entirely.

The technology is a core part of AMD’s legacy in the semiconductor and computer industries. As a company founded in 1969 with a workforce that grew to over 15,500 employees by 2021, AMD utilized CrossFireX to compete in the high-end enthusiast market. It also expanded the technology into various forms, such as Hybrid-Crossfire and Radeon Dual Graphics, which aimed to integrate discrete GPUs with integrated graphics. This versatility made multi-GPU setups accessible across different tiers of hardware, influencing how motherboards and expansion cards were designed for over a decade.

## Notable For
- **Multi-GPU Scaling:** One of the few consumer technologies capable of linking up to four separate graphics processors (4-way configuration) for a single output.
- **Branding Evolution:** Historically known as ATI Crossfire before being rebranded under the AMD name following the company's acquisition of ATI.
- **Hybrid Integration:** Notable for "Hybrid-Crossfire" and "Dual Graphics" variants that allow different types of graphics processors to work together.
- **Industry Standard:** A major brand in the semiconductor and electrical industry, supported by a wide range of motherboard manufacturers.

## Body

### Technical Definition and Purpose
AMD CrossFireX is a multi-GPU solution that enables the linking of two or more graphics processing units (GPUs). The system is designed to produce a single output, effectively sharing the workload of rendering images between the linked cards. It utilizes the "graphics card" class of hardware, which are expansion cards specifically built to generate a feed of output images to a display.

### Hardware Configurations
The technology is categorized by the number of GPUs linked in the system. Technical specifications and product identifiers recognize three primary levels of compatibility:
*   **2-way CrossFire:** Linking two GPUs.
*   **3-way CrossFire:** Linking three GPUs.
*   **4-way CrossFire:** Linking four GPUs.

### Corporate Background
The technology is manufactured by AMD (Advanced Micro Devices), a multinational semiconductor company. AMD was established on May 1, 1969, in the United States. While originally headquartered in Sunnyvale, the company moved its headquarters to Santa Clara, California, in August 2016. As of 2021, the organization reported a preferred employee count of 15,500.

### Nomenclature and Aliases
CrossFireX has been marketed under several different names and brands throughout its lifecycle. These include:
*   **ATI Crossfire / ATI CrossFireX:** Used during the period when the ATI brand was prominent.
*   **AMD CrossFire:** The modern standard branding.
*   **Hybrid-Crossfire:** A specialized version for mixing different GPU types.
*   **Radeon Dual Graphics:** Often used for mobile or integrated/discrete GPU combinations.
*   **Fogo cruzado:** A localized alias used in Portuguese-speaking regions.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013