Wednesday, June 16th 2010

AMD Unveils ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL Software Suite

by
btarunr
 Discuss (154 Comments)
AMD released the latest version of its ATI Catalyst software suite, version 10.6 WHQL, which provides drivers and system software for ATI Radeon GPUs (HD 2000 series and above), AMD 7-series and 8-series chipsets, and ATI Theater multimedia processors. The new version packs pays attention to video-acceleration, and packs two new features that improve video output quality, official support for Adobe Flash 10.1 GPU acceleration, official support for OpenGL 4.0 and GL 3.3, a wide range of game-specific performance increments, and the usual load of bug fixes.

To begin with, Catalyst 10.6 adds GPU-accelerated video de-blocking (a feature that helps improve quality of upscaled videos), and mosquito-noise reduction, which helps improve quality of lossy video formats. Although ATI was first to be out with a GPU driver that packs OpenGL 4.0 ICD, it was only in the form of preview drivers. Catalyst 10.3 provides official support for OpenGL 4.0, a graphics API technologically comparable to DirectX 11, compatible with Radeon HD 5000 series GPUs. It also adds OpenGL 3.3 support.

DOWNLOAD: ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL for Windows 7/Vista 64-bit, Windows 7/Vista 32-bit, Windows XP 32-bit, Windows XP 64-bit

Details about game-specific improvements follow.

  • 3DMark Vantage
    o Overall scores improve up to 5% on a single ATI Radeon HD 5970
  • Batman: Arkham Asylum
    o Performance improves up to 5% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series products
    o Performance improves up to 10% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5970 configurations
  • Aliens vs. Predator DirectX 11 Benchmark
    o Performance improves up to 4% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series products
    o Performance improves up to 10% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5970 configurations
    o Performance improves up to 3% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series products
  • Company of Heroes - DX10
    o Performance improves up to 7% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series products
    o Performance improves up to 5% with single card and CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5970 configurations
  • DiRT 2 - DX9
    o Performance improves up to 10% on single card ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series products
    o Performance improves up to 10% on single card ATI Radeon HD 5970 configurations
    o Performance improves up to 4% on single card ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series products
  • The Chronicles of Riddick - Assault on Dark Athena
    o Performance improves up to 15% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series products
    o Performance improves up to 13% on CrossFire and single card ATI Radeon HD 5970 configurations
    o Performance improves up to 8% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series products
  • World in Conflict
    o Performance improves up to 6% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series products
    o Performance improves up to 8% on CrossFire and single card ATI Radeon HD 5970 configurations
  • Wolfenstein
    o Performance improves up to 18% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series products
    o Performance improves up to 18% on CrossFire and single card ATI Radeon HD 5970 configurations
    o Performance improves up to 11% on CrossFire ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series products
For more details, please refer to the Release Notes document.

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154 Comments on AMD Unveils ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL Software Suite

#76
cadaveca
My name is Dave
Yeah, I don't get it either, other than Dell may have very well been right about the card not outputing a strong enough display signal. At this point, it's the only reasonable answer to the problem I've heard, and AMD and thier board partners are denying there is even a problem at all, and that it must be the monitors.:shadedshu

I'm going to actually test the output signals this weekend...both for signal strength and waveform. :rolleyes:

I ogt a new card from XFX on monday, with Black Edition specs...but isn't a Black Edition, and I am going to pick up a couple of non-reference cards to compare iwth the reference, to see if there is any change.

I'm just stubborn, and refuse to give up on them, even though hey seem to have given up on me.:p

I can now consistently make the cursor bug out...but it will take more testing before I can confirm what I think is happening.
Posted on Reply
#77
alexsubri
TRIPTEX_MTLYeah, make sure you install the 10.6 application profiles and reboot after installing the drivers. My performance in BC2 tanked hard after installing 10.6 but I missed the application profiles because I was in a rush. I'm back on 10.5 for now but I will try again tonight.
Huge thanks I forgot about this :-)
Posted on Reply
#78
TRIPTEX_CAN
alexsubriHuge thanks I forgot about this :-)
Actually I just had the chance to try it again and BC2 is still broken for me on 10.6. Reinstalled-> used Crossfire profiles -> rebooted. When BC2 loads the map I CTD around the time I finish loading. No error message or anything.. just CTD.

Back to 10.5 indefinitely.
Posted on Reply
#79
Hockster
Installed these today and my 2D clocks are nonexistant. Whether Overdrive is enabled or not both GPUs are at 725/1000. If I OC via Afterburner 2D clocks of both GPU's drop to 400/1000. 3D does kick back up to proper clocks, or my OCed clocks if selected.
Posted on Reply
#80
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
TRIPTEX_MTLActually I just had the chance to try it again and BC2 is still broken for me on 10.6. Reinstalled-> used Crossfire profiles -> rebooted. When BC2 loads the map I CTD around the time I finish loading. No error message or anything.. just CTD.

Back to 10.5 indefinitely.
10.5! you serious? That has gotta be the worst driver and one that will mess things up big time!
HocksterInstalled these today and my 2D clocks are nonexistant. Whether Overdrive is enabled or not both GPUs are at 725/1000. If I OC via Afterburner 2D clocks of both GPU's drop to 400/1000. 3D does kick back up to proper clocks, or my OCed clocks if selected.
you guys must be leaving some driver stragler's behinde when installing the 10.6cat's

Im having no issues at all with this driver... 2d clocks run nice and low and switch to 3d clocks nice and smooth...
Posted on Reply
#81
Hockster
Only if Driver Sweepr is missing something.
Posted on Reply
#82
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
HocksterOnly if Driver Sweepr is missing something.
you go into the registry and delete ati files? driver sweeper for me has left entries behind for me.
Posted on Reply
#83
Hockster
fullinfusionyou go into the registry and delete ati files?
Manually? No. I set DS to clean it. I've looked afterwards and never found anything, but haven't checked for a while.
Posted on Reply
#84
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
HocksterManually? No. I set DS to clean it. I've looked afterwards and never found anything, but haven't checked for a while.
If you had 10.5 ccc installed before I pretty much betcha there are stragglers left behind
Posted on Reply
#85
MelodiousUltra
Then do you have to take any action if you buy a brand new ATI HD5000 card, put it into your system, and download the latest driver (Catalyst 10.6)?
I take it that before you download an update, you must go through and remove the drivers in control panel, delete ATI stuff in registry, and use Driver Sweeper in order to ensure stability?
Posted on Reply
#86
erocker
*
fullinfusionIf you had 10.5 ccc installed before I pretty much betcha there are stragglers left behind
I updated from 10.4a's (I think). Something before 10.5's though and I get 400/1000 for 2d clocks now.
MelodiousUltraThen do you have to take any action if you buy a brand new ATI HD5000 card, put it into your system, and download the latest driver (Catalyst 10.6)?
I take it that before you download an update, you must go through and remove the drivers in control panel, delete ATI stuff in registry, and use Driver Sweeper in order to ensure stability?
Yes, I made this little guide for it. forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=52502
Posted on Reply
#87
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
erockerI updated from 10.4a's (I think). Something before 10.5's though and I get 400/1000 for 2d clocks now.




Yes, I made this little guide for it. forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=52502
your using a 5870 - 50 thou are you not?

the others are using 5970's and I was pointing out that sence im using the beast Im not having any problems with 2d clocks...

also your how to remove ccc thread is my golden bible to do a clean install of ati's drivers :respect:
Posted on Reply
#88
DonInKansas
I'm sticking with 10.2 (I think) until the super idle downclocks come back or at least become an option again.
Posted on Reply
#89
ariff_tech
erockerYeah, the Eyefinity 6 card is still listed separately. I'll have to try my memory (2d clocks) at 300. I've been doing 300/575 and it's worked well. :toast:
but they still didnt support 5x1 potrait mode, :banghead::banghead:
i wonder what driver they used on their booth at computex 2010:confused::confused:
Posted on Reply
#90
anonemus
erockerI updated from 10.4a's (I think). Something before 10.5's though and I get 400/1000 for 2d clocks now.
Same with mine. From 10.5 to 10.6 and now my 2D clock in XP is 400/1000 :(
Posted on Reply
#91
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
anonemusSame with mine. From 10.5 to 10.6 and now my 2D clock in XP is 400/1000 :(
Old driver stragglers are present man, XP ? :slap: common and get with the times!!
Posted on Reply
#92
anonemus
Will clean drivers and reinstall other GPU OC tools later :)
Posted on Reply
#93
Melvis
Was 10.3 the last driver to have performance improvements for the ATI 48xx series?
Posted on Reply
#94
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
it should be noted that i still have had no trouble with idle clocks being above normal.

I do not:
use OC software (stock clocks)
use driver sweeper/cleaner programs.
run multi monitor (atm)
Posted on Reply
#95
Mr McC
Specs as shown, card completely stock, connected only to my tv, downloaded and installed last night following erocker's installation guide. I haven't unlocked the Overdrive section in CCC, but the clocks are displaying as 157/300, can I assume that I have escaped the dreaded 2D clock issue, or do I have to enable Overdrive before I can tell?

I did notice corrupted text on the ATI registration window that pops up at the start (don't know why I haven't permanently closed that yet), so I may revert back to 10.4. It seems that ATI's priorty was to coincide with Nvidia's release and increase synthetic benchmark scores, rather than ensuring that the driver was properly tested before becoming available to the public.
Posted on Reply
#96
TRIPTEX_CAN
fullinfusion10.5! you serious? That has gotta be the worst driver and one that will mess things up big time!

you guys must be leaving some driver stragler's behinde when installing the 10.6cat's

Im having no issues at all with this driver... 2d clocks run nice and low and switch to 3d clocks nice and smooth...
10.5 works great for me. Solid consistent performance in the games I play. Stable OCs and no 2D/3D issue.

10.6 just breaks BC2 performance. (forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=124736) not much else to say about it.
Posted on Reply
#97
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
Mr McCSpecs as shown, card completely stock, connected only to my tv, downloaded and installed last night following erocker's installation guide. I haven't unlocked the Overdrive section in CCC, but the clocks are displaying as 157/300, can I assume that I have escaped the dreaded 2D clock issue, or do I have to enable Overdrive before I can tell?

I did notice corrupted text on the ATI registration window that pops up at the start (don't know why I haven't permanently closed that yet), so I may revert back to 10.4. It seems that ATI's priorty was to coincide with Nvidia's release and increase synthetic benchmark scores, rather than ensuring that the driver was properly tested before becoming available to the public.
you've escaped the bug as well.

i think the 'feature' is present only when you OC, or run dual monitors. Its a bug when it happens to crossfire users.
Posted on Reply
#98
cadaveca
My name is Dave
The idle clock thing is better for Crossfire multi-mon...10.5, secondary card would get same idle clocks, 10.6, secondary gpu will go down to 157/300, while the main card sits @ 400/12xx.


However, it doesn't fix any issues they claim it does. I'd rather have my lower idle clocks back.

Big testing this weekend...gonna have to install fresh OS and start everything new again...:rolleyes:
Posted on Reply
#99
mab1376
No issues, no real performance increases thus far, checked APB and Splinter Cell Conviction.
Posted on Reply
#100
Mr McC
cadavecaThe idle clock thing is better for Crossfire multi-mon...10.5, secondary card would get same idle clocks, 10.6, secondary gpu will go down to 157/300, while the main card sits @ 400/12xx.


However, it doesn't fix any issues they claim it does. I'd rather have my lower idle clocks back.

Big testing this weekend...gonna have to install fresh OS and start everything new again...:rolleyes:
I just went back to 10.4 and the corrupted text in the ATI registration window (see above) is now fixed, just letting you know in case that's of any use to you. I saw other reports of corrupted text when using 10.6.
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