How to Disable ULPS (Ultra Low Power State) for Graphics Cards in AMD CrossfireX

   Information

ULPS stands for Ultra Low Power State for GPU's or graphic card adapters.

You may want to disable ULPS if you have an AMD CrossfireX configuration because the 2nd GPU installed will load 99% and causes overheating, crash, and possible GPU damage.

The point of this is to disable power draw from the 2nd card when not in gaming mode.

It has become a major issue when gaming or just plain web browsing. You'll notice an increase in GPU fan noise, and start to see artifacts because the 2nd GPU is at 100% load and will not stop unless you disable CrossFire or SLI.

These steps are here to help you at least keep the problem off until a proper driver or fix has been establish by AMD.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Warning

This is only a temporary fix. Each time that you update your AMD Catalyst drivers, you will need to do this tutorial again if you need to have ULPS disabled again.

OPTION ONE

Disable ULPS using ULPS Configuration Utility

   Note

The ULPS Configuration Utility is used to enable or disable ULPS, or ultra-low power state, for AMD/ATI graphics cards in CrossfireX. The program will go to a specific string in the registry and change the hexadecimal value of the EnableULPS key to either 0 or 1, depending on whether it is being enabled or disabled.

#1 Go to the site below to download and run the latest version of the ULPS Configuration Utility v#.#.#.exe file.

ULPS CONFIGURATION UTILITY

#2 Enter the number of the option you want to do, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

OPTION TWO

Disable ULPS Manually in Registry Editor

#1 Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and click/tap on OK.

#2 If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

#3 In Registry Editor, navigate to the key location below. (see screenshot below)

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Video\{331C6CE7-51C4-49B1-978F-E524E6682663}\0000

#4 In the right pane of 0000, double click/tap on the EnableUlps DWORD to modify it. (see screenshot below)

#5 Type 0 (zero), and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: 1 is the default setting to enable ULPS.

#6 Repeat steps 4 and 5 above for each next 0001, 0002, 0003, 0004, and 0005 keys one at a time.

   Note

The keys 0000-0001-0002-0003-0004-0005 represent the Graphic Cards you have installed you will need to edit all keys in that area as in the screen shot in order for this fix to work.

#7 When finished, close Registry Editor, and restart the PC to apply.