catalyst 5.8

[Guido]

I have just installed these and the games chugging like hell, using the same settings as I did for 5.7.

FULL AA and AS. x6 x16 used to look and run perfect. but just loaded up the single player bismark mission, and its slow as hell.

Anyone similar?

[Gizzmoe]

I haven´t tried them myself yet, but there could be a possible reason. If your card only has 128MB it "normally" doesn´t do 6xAA and 16XAF combined. So even when you´ve chosen this setting it either switches back to no AF or 8xAF. It could be that 5.8 now "brute-forces" the setting and your card is not capable enough to handle it. Try if you get a "normal" framerate with 6xAA and 8XAF.

If you own a 256MB card then probably something is wrong with the driver.

[Gammel]

Hello Guido,

what card and OS you´re using?
I´m on x800xl @win2k here and will try the new drivers soon...

[Gammel]

I made a quick test run out of Lorient.
after this quick test i can say the driver is working very well for my setup and an improvement to the 5.7.
Looks like ati has managed to improve the AA quality. I use 6x and it´s the first time i looks better than 4x mode to me.
Framerates are bad as usual for me in the harbour area (i have all available eye-candy installed :-j and use the visibility mod which is a big framekiller) but tending to be better and more stable compared to the 5.7.
These are my first impressions with the new driver, i guess i´ll stay with them.

Guido, did you use the "uninstall all" tool (/program files/ati-technologies) to deinstall the old driver? Works very good for me i´ve made several ati driver updates this way without any trouble.

[Wolfram]

No problems yet for me.

Also another handy utility is Driver Cleaner

Go here:

http://www.drivercleaner.net/

post back if you still have trouble - leftover files are a pain for both Nvidia or ATi.

BTW running a x800 PE ATi Excalibur

g/l

:arrgh!:

[Twelvefield]

Thanks for that link!

[Wolfram]

:cool: you are welcome

Hope it helps you out - that program always works for me.

One just has to read the instructions and double check the options before using it - but great stuff I think.

Write if you still get troubles, I am betting just a case of a dirty install.

g/l

:arrgh!:

[DedEye]

Also, avoid the catalyst control center! I've had nothing but problems with it.

[Gammel]

I read today the 5.8 will be last one without Catalyst Control Center.:nope: :down:

[Gizzmoe]

WHAT????? That´s indeed bad news! :-?

[Gammel]

Lastly, the Control Panel is coming to the end of it’s life and 8.16, August, will be the last driver to support it. ATI are moving towards CCC as the only UI available and from 8.17, September, only CCC will supported.

All next gen ATI products will support CCC only. :damn:

[Wolfram]

I read today the 5.8 will be last one without Catalyst Control Center.:nope: :down:

I have been using Omega versions of the drivers so far without problems and they have not had the CCC so I am holding out for the next sets from Omega site.

:arrgh!:

[Guido]

hi guyz, thanks for the replies;

I have been out all day working, havent had chance to fiddle.

The card is a 256meg version anyway, I have had some issues with the control centre before (so have many)

I will let thee know what i find.

[MONOLITH]

Installed the 5.8 last night. Played SH3 for a few hours since on an X800 Pro, no noticeable problems and the frame rates are soaring with every setting in the control center maxed out.

I have to use the synchronize or I get the tearing when spinning the view around.

Just for the record, if anyone tried out the new F.E.A.R. demo recently, people are reporting seemingly better performance in it with the 5.8. FEAR is a huge system hog.


Just curious, has anyone done a true 'side by side' comparison between the stock ATI drivers and the Omega tweaked ones, to report on the real differences?

Thanks.

Oh, and I sorta like the CCC. :oops: Only had a problem with it on one set of drivers.

[Wolfram]

...Just curious, has anyone done a true 'side by side' comparison between the stock ATI drivers and the Omega tweaked ones, to report on the real differences?...

Side by side a few versions ago I benchmarked 'em (5.4 and 5.5).

Using AquaMark, 3DMark03 and 3DMark05

Omegas ran a few points less than Stock (non CCC) on Aqua; but higher scores on 3Ds; significant difference on 03 version and improved 05 for me on my system

Specs = 3.4 P4 Northwood, 2GB 4000 Corsair ram on ASUS P4C800-E mobo, Audigy 2ZS sound, HiS Excalibur x800 PE card.

Omegas give me higher IQ (image qual) without a lot of thinking I just run them without any further tweaks and comparison maybe not fair since I run the stock at max IQ and no tweaks. If you trick out the stock probably achieve same or possibly better...I am just lazy...unzip and load'em, go play. ;)

In SH3 specifically seem to be better IQ 'course that is subjective.

Omega makes me happy and maybe that is all that counts :)

:arrgh!:

[Wolfram]

BTW Omega comes so far with a copy of DC Pro also and as any freeware they both ask for donation and do not offer tech support other than some simple tips.

Also not knocking Stock or CCC drivers just as I said I am a lazy sort. ;)

Here is also some very good tips from a place I learned alot about vid cards:

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=1380693#post1380693

Entire site is excellent (Guru3D) for learning and a great place to start - they also have a lot of bandwidth and have lots of drivers like DNA for example and many many others including Nvidia help too...

:arrgh!:

[big_feef]

I got the 5.8 the day they came out and they work like crap on my system. I have a P4 3.2 Extreme Edition, 2Gb PC4000 RAM, and a new X800XL 256MB (which blew away my GF FX 5950 Ultra). I first installed the 5.7 Catalyst with CCC, and got great fps, but with a few problems with games like KotOR 2 and UT2K4 and texture glitches on most of the other ames I have. I then got the 5.8 Catalyst with CCC and had the bottom half of my screen constantly flickering until I booted up a game no matter what settings I put it to.

I later went out and got the Omega 5.7 Catalyst drivers and got much better fps and image quality (no texture glitches, etc on any of my games except for UT2K4). With those drivers, my gpu also runs cooler when I play games: my OC'ed X800XL no longer hits 65 C anymore, no matter how long I play.

[Wolfram]

I got the 5.8 the day they came out and they work like crap on my system. I have a P4 3.2 Extreme Edition, 2Gb PC4000 RAM, and a new X800XL 256MB (which blew away my GF FX 5950 Ultra). I first installed the 5.7 Catalyst with CCC, and got great fps, but with a few problems with games like KotOR 2 and UT2K4 and texture glitches on most of the other ames I have. I then got the 5.8 Catalyst with CCC and had the bottom half of my screen constantly flickering until I booted up a game no matter what settings I put it to.

I later went out and got the Omega 5.7 Catalyst drivers and got much better fps and image quality (no texture glitches, etc on any of my games except for UT2K4). With those drivers, my gpu also runs cooler when I play games: my OC'ed X800XL no longer hits 65 C anymore, no matter how long I play.

Hola

Seems as though we each have systems that are very similar. :hmm: based on that I not install the 5.8 stock or CCC. Agree also that temp range from idle to load is reduced using Omega - I have not tried DNAs....

Thank you for your experience big_feef here with the 5.8 it helps me decide to wait then for Omega version. :up:

:arrgh!:

[Nopileo]

I read today the 5.8 will be last one without Catalyst Control Center.:nope: :down:

I'm a relatively new ATI user, and I've found it a bit annoying that the control panel for the graphics card takes almost as long to load as a normal game (not SH3 ;) ). So this is not too bad news for me.

What does the catalyst control panel do that a normal control panel (like for NVidia cards) can't do?

[Gizzmoe]

What does the catalyst control panel do that a normal control panel (like for NVidia cards) can't do?

Nothing. It´s really just a bloated POS.

[Wolfram]

What does the catalyst control panel do that a normal control panel (like for NVidia cards) can't do?

Nothing. It´s really just a bloated POS.

I have to agree that one also - I do not really know why they insist on the CCC. Seems to be just a lot of bells and whistles (extra stuff). Maybe to a more advanced user there is something it does but I have not explored its options.

:arrgh!:

[Gizzmoe]

I do not really know why they insist on the CCC.

Marketing when it came out, now it simply makes no sense to maintain two different Catalyst version. I can understand that from a developers viewpoint.

When ATI "invented" Catalyst AI (some driver optimization stuff) a while ago they had decided to also make a new control panel, the CCC. The "AI low/high" option is only available in the CCC version. It also certainly looks more flashy than the normal panel. "More flashy" equals "more advanced" to some people. Some magazines/reviewers liked it. Fools!!!

Seems to be just a lot of bells and whistles (extra stuff). Maybe to a more advanced user there is something it does but I have not explored its options.

Not really. If you want to see some advanced options try the Omegadriver (www.omegadrivers.net). It also includes Catalyst AI and the memory footprint is much smaller. I also like the Tray Tool that comes with it.

[big_feef]

What does the catalyst control panel do that a normal control panel (like for NVidia cards) can't do?

Nothing. It´s really just a bloated POS.

I have to agree that one also - I do not really know why they insist on the CCC. Seems to be just a lot of bells and whistles (extra stuff). Maybe to a more advanced user there is something it does but I have not explored its options.

:arrgh!:

All the "bells and whistles" of CCC can be attained by using ATT (ATI Tray Tools), which comes with the 5.7 Omega drivers (optimized) or as a separate download (original). With ATT, I have my X800XL OC'ed to 450/570 and with all the other stuff that CCC can provide turned on and saved to a profile that doesn't take forever to load up like my CCC profile (boots up at startup and standby recovery). Also, ATT has a couple plug-ins that display my GPU temp, enviro temp, HD temp, and processor usage % on the taskbar; very handy for when you're in the testing phase with an OC'ed card like I am right now.

Since this is my first ATI card (ex-NVidia fanboy here), I'm very pleased with the results of the 5.7 catalyst drivers; but displeased with the CCC. Oh well, ATT makes up for it by giving me much better control of my card than I had with any of my other NVidia cards.

[Syxx_Killer]

The Catalyst Control Center (Is that what is meant by CCC?) is the version of the drivers that require .NET Framework isn't it? I've been using the drivers with the control panel so I shouldn't even notice any difference should I if they get rid of the CCC?

[Wolfram]

Ah the OC of the card :know:

Yes can be fun indeed. :D

Yes the Catalyst requires NET framework and I have that installed and have tried up to 5.8 the drivers with and without. Yet as big_feef said ATi Tool works very well for tweaking. I am hooked on the Omega set because I am impatient :roll: and always in a rush.

The Omega set gives me what I want yet advanced users like big_feef can take advantage and even pass the performance of the Omega by just using stock drivers - Many at the Guru3D site in fact have done exactly that and even profile by each game the settings the Tool can adjust.

I am wondering now if anyone here has tried the DNA drivers? with SH3?

Have Fun All!

:arrgh!:

:hmm: wonder how many posts I need to graduate from "medic" avataar?

[Salvadoreno]

i have an ATI 9800 Pro and i tried to DL catalyst 5.8 today but apparently my windows wont allow it to pass a test or wut not. My computer is really screwy i need it reformated

[Salvadoreno]

heellpp.

[Gizzmoe]

What´s the exact problem? What was the error message? Try the driver without the "Catalyst Control Center". The CCC version needs Microsoft .NET, maybe you don´t have it installed.

This is the "normal" 2000/WinXP driver:
http://www2.ati.com/drivers/5-8_xp-2k_dd_cp_wdm_25203.exe

[MONOLITH]

my windows wont allow it to pass a test or wut not.

Sounds like he just got the warning message upon install "driver not WHQL certified", got scared and cancelled the install.

If that's what happened, just click proceed anyway, it will be fine.

[Reece]

I think Salvadoreno, just went down with his ship. :rotfl:
Sorry Salvadoreno, couldn't help myself. :dead:

[Wolfram]

i have an ATI 9800 Pro and i tried to DL catalyst 5.8 today but apparently my windows wont allow it to pass a test or wut not. My computer is really screwy i need it reformated

As others say here it most likely the WHQL - Windows hardware/software certification. I suggest an uninstall via the Control Panel and the Driver Cleaner. Before reformat unless you have other issues with the OS.

Download the 5.8 from ATi again if you can to be sure it is not corrupted in dwn load. Have the 5.8 ready on Desktop -

Go to CP uninstall, reboot, DC program set for ATi (your partial install and or prior drivers can leave behind files this will clean it), reboot - Windows will default you to a 600x480 DT res I think, then.

Turn off virus protection (be sure you off the Internet) & some virus progs see driver installs as attacks. Also if you are using the Catalyst be sure you have Net Framework installed and all its updates from Microsoft first.

Run the driver executable; a window may pop up saying not WHQL certified- continue anyway it may pop up a couple times but continue.

reboot

reset your res as you like...

If you still have troubles after the install try going to Start, Run & type in "dxdiag" without the qoute marks, click OK; this is a basic diagnostic of DX and the driver.

Still have troubles try also reposting here or go to:

http://forums.guru3d.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=46

Link is to a great place to post problems - but before posting here they have a great sticky tips to read first to help.

Hang in there mister we can try and help you. :)

:arrgh!:

[Wolfram]

BTW some people find more success with driver installs in Safe Mode you may want to try that also.

g/l <g>

:arrgh!:

[Salvadoreno]

wow thx for all the help guys!!! ill try to ignore the corrupt warning.. see what happens.

[Pdubya]

What does the catalyst control panel do that a normal control panel (like for NVidia cards) can't do?

Nothing. It´s really just a bloated POS.

I have to agree that one also - I do not really know why they insist on the CCC. Seems to be just a lot of bells and whistles (extra stuff). Maybe to a more advanced user there is something it does but I have not explored its options.

:arrgh!:

All the "bells and whistles" of CCC can be attained by using ATT (ATI Tray Tools), which comes with the 5.7 Omega drivers (optimized) or as a separate download (original). With ATT, I have my X800XL OC'ed to 450/570 and with all the other stuff that CCC can provide turned on and saved to a profile that doesn't take forever to load up like my CCC profile (boots up at startup and standby recovery). Also, ATT has a couple plug-ins that display my GPU temp, enviro temp, HD temp, and processor usage % on the taskbar; very handy for when you're in the testing phase with an OC'ed card like I am right now.

Since this is my first ATI card (ex-NVidia fanboy here), I'm very pleased with the results of the 5.7 catalyst drivers; but displeased with the CCC. Oh well, ATT makes up for it by giving me much better control of my card than I had with any of my other NVidia cards.

About the only thing I have ever missed from The Control Center is the inherent ability to force a refresh rate on those pesky OpenGL games like Call of Duty that WindowsXP wants to default to 60Hz. If this is available in the Omega drivers, I might change to them.

[vois2]

CCC 5.8 was the first Catalyst package that for me resulted in no gains (but also no losses).

In the past, CCC 5.7 had given me significant gains over 5.6, and in turn 5.6 bested 5.5 .

I'm a tiny weeny Radeon x300 owner, so I've kept a log of frame rates playing on SH3 during the last 5 months.

Although it's not a whole system benchmark, I use the Naval Academy Torpedoes Exam section, ahead slow and surfaced, and looking at three distinct directions for one minute each, to keep my log.

[Wolfram]

About the only thing I have ever missed from The Control Center is the inherent ability to force a refresh rate on those pesky OpenGL games like Call of Duty that WindowsXP wants to default to 60Hz. If this is available in the Omega drivers, I might change to them.

@Pdubya

Omega comes with Mutires a little utility that might do the trick for you in setting/forcing the utility and ATi Tools prog maybe has something also for that issue.

I think a stand alone freeware version of Multires can be loaded from:

http://www.entechtaiwan.net/util/multires.shtm

hope this helps

:arrgh!:

[Pdubya]

Thanks Wolfram, but after I loaded it I kept getting blue screens of death when opening the Omega version of the control center- so... onto ATi's v5.8, which seems to work just fine.

[Wolfram]

Thanks Wolfram, but after I loaded it I kept getting blue screens of death when opening the Omega version of the control center- so... onto ATi's v5.8, which seems to work just fine.

:yep: important thing is you are happy with the your setup then - doesn't matter what drivers.

After a few years of frying video cards I learned that is the secret - enjoyment.

If you having trouble now/still and or the future the Guru3D site worth checking when it comes to video issues.

Have Fun <g>

:arrgh!:

[Reece]

Well if they make it so you have to have CCC with the driver only then I'm stuffed, the last ccc that will work on my system is 5.6! both 5.7 & 5.8 I get a cli.exe application error, has anyone had this or know of a fix? :yep:
Thanks.

[Gizzmoe]

both 5.7 & 5.8 I get a cli.exe application error, has anyone had this or know of a fix? :yep:

Uninstall the Microsoft .NET Framework then install it again.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=262d25e3-f589-4842-8157-034d1e7cf3a3&displaylang=en

[Reece]

How? :dead:
Don't mean to sound dumb, but, what is a ".net Framework", is it something to do with the lan setup?
Yeh, I know, how dumb can you get! :88)
Downloading whatever from the provided link, Thanks :yep:

[Gizzmoe]

How? :dead:

Via Control Panel/Software. Scroll down until you see Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1. If it´s not there that´s the reason why cli.exe gave an error message, because the CCC needs .NET.

Don't mean to sound dumb, but, what is a ".net Framework", is it something to do with the lan setup?

.NET a development platform:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_.NET

The Framework is needed so that programs requiring it can run on your system.

[Reece]

Thanks Gizzmoe for the help, since I'm only on 56k modem (Broadband not available here yet) and the speed is an incredable 1.23k at the moment, everytime it rains the rate goes right down to a crawl, so will leave on overnight & attempt the fix tomorrow, will also go to the other link you supplied to find out a little more first! :up:
I'll let you know tomorrow how it all went. :lol:
Cheers.

[MajBlunder]

I found a nice tool that IMO works better then the CP and the CCC


ITs called ATi Tray Tools

can be found here http://www.radeon2.ru/atitray/

Very powerful tool. no need for .NET just install the driver then ATT

make ur adjustments and off ya go..


Also ATi has there own driver cleaner that works just as good.

THe link to the unistaller is in the notes section on the driver download page...
It even removes ATT for ya :D

[Reece]

I have installed the .Net software and a few things sprung to life, one of them was the welcome screen that comes on with screen saver, disabled it, don't like any unnecessary (spelt that wrong I bet!) eye candy. :yep:
Haven't loaded the CCC as everyone seems to think it's crap however the are now limited options in the advanced section, Will checkout the ATi Tray Tools, I hope installing this is not a MajBlunder. :rotfl:
Thanks All. :rock: