Well, I tried 9.5....that was a total mess...I had to go into safe mode and do a system restore :shadedshu. So I restored to a 8.5xxxx bla bla and got my screen back... but still the same issue. So I tried updating using "update driver software" in device manager and it updated to 8.612.0.0. It got a little better, just took longer to freeze...So then I decided to go into CCC and check the settings. Turns out I had my new card overclocked to 800 some odd Mhz and 1st GPU was at default (don't know how the heck that happened). So I put my 2nd GPU at default and no problems since.
Now, I'll just cross my fingers and try gaming with BOINC running. Wish me luck!!
My scores will really suck today seeindg as I was busy figuring out this Crossfire thing for the 1st time in my life!!!