Wednesday, June 16th 2010

AMD Unveils ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL Software Suite

Jun 16th, 2010 15:38 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.

Add your own comment

154 Comments on AMD Unveils ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL Software Suite

#101

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

to those having issues with their cards, update the BIOS.

my brother was having really erratic issues (aero artifacting, some games artifacting, others fine, etc) and it all turned out to be an outdated BIOS.

If it aint broke, dont fix it... but if it IS broke, get a more updated (non modded) BIOS and see how it goes.

#102

anonemus

Under XP, uninstalled 10.6, run DriveSweeper and CCCleaner, reinstalled 10.6 and now my 2D clocks at 157/300 again. Yes!!!!

#103

Formula350

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.

anonemusSame with mine. From 10.5 to 10.6 and now my 2D clock in XP is 400/1000 :(

This is what I figure is the cause of that. Afterburner [AB from here on] doesn't have the ability to clock lower than 400MHz, which I assume is simply because the software isn't coded for anything lower than that. Drag the slider bar all the way to the left and I bet that 400 is the lower speed you can set. Why it doesn't clock the memory down though, that is a mystery to me. What I guess is happening is AB is overwriting the CCC 2D clocks and is not clocking the memory down, leaving us with crappy 2D clocks. Now the fix for that, is a bit of a pain in the ass, but when you are done with gaming simply hit the "reset" button. My biggest issue when AB is doing stuff, is that my 2nd 5770 won't even do 400/FullMemSpeed but 850/1200 (default) in 2D :confused: Resetting the clocks fixes that as well. If there was an option in AB to "reset clocks" for the 2D Clocks profile, I'd be set!

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

The issue seems to stem from any program overclocking the cards. I'm sure CCC's OverDrive would be an exception, but mine is locked out and I don't know how to unlock it (knowing it's locked now, thanks to this thread, I'll go figure that out :)) I only have 2D clock problems when overclocking with ATT or AB

Musselsyou'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.

I'm confused then haha I have Crossfire, but it only happens when I OC. So is that considered a CF bug, or the 'feature'?

Musselsto those having issues with their cards, update the BIOS.

I'm not able to find a new BIOS for my ASUS CUcore 5770. I've never been partial to ASUS products (not saying they make crappy stuff, just things like the mobo BIOS I don't like), so I obviously never had a reason to go to their site. With that being said, is there a special area where I should be looking? I went to the product's page and the download section, but it's just drivers and the crappy Smart Doctor tool... :(

-------------------

I've been having more game instability than usual with 10.6, so I've rolled back. I must confess though, I don't do a fresh install of the drivers every upgrade. :slap: So I'll now go apply erocker's tutorial to my system and give that a go :) Cross your fingers!!!!!!

-------------------

Since we're somewhat on the subject of overclocking by non-CCC methods, does anyone know of a way to get the ASUS iTracker 2 software to work on NON-RoG cards? It is a sweet looking program, and appears to offer everything I've been wanting from a graphics card tuning program, but alas I don't own a RoG card and it won't run because of that :ohwell: Wouldn't be so bad if Smart Doctor wasn't absolute JUNK! I mean it tells me something when the program hasn't been updated since 2002, and only the files have been in order to get it to support current cards. Whats worse, it doesn't even work out of the box! I don't know if you are required to run the damn ASUS drivers or what, but the only way I was able to get it to work was by an "intentional accident" when I thought I'd try copying most of the files from iTracker 2 into the Smart Doctor folder. I kept any Smart Doctor files that were newer than iT's with the exception of two, one I don't recall and the other was the error that I kept getting saying it couldn't find the file, EOS or EOD.DLL
If this is part too off topic, feel free to let me know and I'll be happy to remove it and post it in just the ATi forum.

#104

erocker

Formula350This is what I figure is the cause of that. Afterburner [AB from here on] doesn't have the ability to clock lower than 400MHz, which I assume is simply because the software isn't coded for anything lower than that. Drag the slider bar all the way to the left and I bet that 400 is the lower speed you can set. Why it doesn't clock the memory down though, that is a mystery to me. What I guess is happening is AB is overwriting the CCC 2D clocks and is not clocking the memory down, leaving us with crappy 2D clocks. Now the fix for that, is a bit of a pain in the ass, but when you are done with gaming simply hit the "reset" button. My biggest issue when AB is doing stuff, is that my 2nd 5770 won't even do 400/FullMemSpeed but 850/1200 (default) in 2D :confused: Resetting the clocks fixes that as well. If there was an option in AB to "reset clocks" for the 2D Clocks profile, I'd be set!

The issue seems to stem from any program overclocking the cards. I'm sure CCC's OverDrive would be an exception, but mine is locked out and I don't know how to unlock it (knowing it's locked now, thanks to this thread, I'll go figure that out :)) I only have 2D clock problems when overclocking with ATT or AB

I'm confused then haha I have Crossfire, but it only happens when I OC. So is that considered a CF bug, or the 'feature'?

I'm not able to find a new BIOS for my ASUS CUcore 5770. I've never been partial to ASUS products (not saying they make crappy stuff, just things like the mobo BIOS I don't like), so I obviously never had a reason to go to their site. With that being said, is there a special area where I should be looking? I went to the product's page and the download section, but it's just drivers and the crappy Smart Doctor tool... :(

-------------------

I've been having more game instability than usual with 10.6, so I've rolled back. I must confess though, I don't do a fresh install of the drivers every upgrade. :slap: So I'll now go apply erocker's tutorial to my system and give that a go :) Cross your fingers!!!!!!

-------------------

Since we're somewhat on the subject of overclocking by non-CCC methods, does anyone know of a way to get the ASUS iTracker 2 software to work on NON-RoG cards? It is a sweet looking program, and appears to offer everything I've been wanting from a graphics card tuning program, but alas I don't own a RoG card and it won't run because of that :ohwell: Wouldn't be so bad if Smart Doctor wasn't absolute JUNK! I mean it tells me something when the program hasn't been updated since 2002, and only the files have been in order to get it to support current cards. Whats worse, it doesn't even work out of the box! I don't know if you are required to run the damn ASUS drivers or what, but the only way I was able to get it to work was by an "intentional accident" when I thought I'd try copying most of the files from iTracker 2 into the Smart Doctor folder. I kept any Smart Doctor files that were newer than iT's with the exception of two, one I don't recall and the other was the error that I kept getting saying it couldn't find the file, EOS or EOD.DLL
If this is part too off topic, feel free to let me know and I'll be happy to remove it and post it in just the ATi forum.

I would suggest using Catalyst 10.4a. They have been by far the best drivers for my CrossFire setup. 0 issues, and I mean it. :)

#105

Formula350

erockerI would suggest using Catalyst 10.4a. They have been by far the best drivers for my CrossFire setup. 0 issues, and I mean it. :)

Appreciate the info and I'll give that a go! I tried, what I suspect to be 10.3a(c?), 10.5 and 10.6 releases. I'm not sure I'm liking 10.6, but I admit I've not done a proper "cleaning" before updating. So before I pass a final verdict on it, I'll give that a try first.

BTW this might be an odd request... but I'm on Wireless Broadband and sadly am capped @ 5GB/mo. Would you be willing to send/host JUST the 10.4a driver directory? I figure since I have 10.3/.5/.6 that I would be able to get away with the CCC from one of them, and the rest of the Driver package is just bloatware IMO. We don't need to download the friggen CIM EVERY time :rolleyes: And not to rant anymore, but it also makes me wonder if the Chipset drivers actually do get updated, or if they just slap the newest Cat version on it and serve it to us :ohwell:

Anywho I'm going to give a full cleaning a try first and see if 10.6 still blows :laugh: I'll also report back with what I find, in regards to the Registry entry in the Uninstall thread.

#106

Hockster

Musselsto those having issues with their cards, update the BIOS.

my brother was having really erratic issues (aero artifacting, some games artifacting, others fine, etc) and it all turned out to be an outdated BIOS.

If it aint broke, dont fix it... but if it IS broke, get a more updated (non modded) BIOS and see how it goes.

Only BIOS for my Asus card is for a different SKU and only fixes fan speed issues.

Anyway, disabling ULPS restored my idle clock speeds. I've done that with previous releases as not doing so would cause Everest to completely lock the system. It's a known issue that Lavalys has had zero response about from AMD. With 10.6 I didn't experience any lockups, but haven't had a chance to check the Lavalys forum if there has been a fix included with these drivers. So for now at least, everything works. I quit playing BC2 a while back.

#107

Formula350

HocksterOnly BIOS for my Asus card is for a different SKU and only fixes fan speed issues.

Anyway, disabling ULPS restored my idle clock speeds. I've done that with previous releases as not doing so would cause Everest to completely lock the system. It's a known issue that Lavalys has had zero response about from AMD. With 10.6 I didn't experience any lockups, but haven't had a chance to check the Lavalys forum if there has been a fix included with these drivers. So for now at least, everything works. I quit playing BC2 a while back.

I've been tinkering in the registry and some of these I'm not sure what exactly to put in for the setting. Then there are others which I don't even know what they are for :\ KD_Tiling is one of those. I've actually been thinking about starting a thread that I can pack full of all the items I can't find info on the web about...

With that being said, what is the entry name and value for the ULPS? If I could stop/lessen the amount of crashes, I'd be fine with the computer sucking down more power :\ I've actually been having problems with Sleep mode now :(

#108

Hockster

Search for EnableULPS. There's about 8 entires for it. I don't know if all of them need to be set to 0 or not, some are by default, but I change all the ones set to 1 to 0. This does disable the complete powering down of the scondary GPU in 5970 cards, and I suspect also for separate card Cossfire setups.

#109

Frizz

love the new CCC, I didn't end up installing the drivers but the CCC update is A+. I tried to install 10.6 ended up with BSOD, eventually fixed it then it wouldn't optimize crossfire even with the Crossfire Applications installed. 10.4's I guess is the best til 5xxx.

#110

erocker

HocksterSearch for EnableULPS. There's about 8 entires for it. I don't know if all of them need to be set to 0 or not, some are by default, but I change all the ones set to 1 to 0. This does disable the complete powering down of the scondary GPU in 5970 cards, and I suspect also for separate card Cossfire setups.

There should be 2 entries really. The other entries are leftover from previous drivers. Change them all to 0. :)

#111

Hockster

I had more than 2 entries even the very first time I installed the drivers on a brand new install. I paid more attention than usual after upgradng to my SSD's a couple weeks back.

Guess I may need to watch Driver Sweeper more closely and see if it's missing stuff.

#112

Formula350

So what exactly does it do? I mean I assume it turns off power savings, but more technically I mean :)

randomfliplove the new CCC, I didn't end up installing the drivers but the CCC update is A+. I tried to install 10.6 ended up with BSOD, eventually fixed it then it wouldn't optimize crossfire even with the Crossfire Applications installed. 10.4's I guess is the best til 5xxx.

What is new in CCC? I didn't download it because of my limited monthly bandwidth. :(

Yea, 10.6s for me are VERY moody :\ Sometimes it's last for an hour or more before crashing, other times during booting it'll crash, sometimes twice in a row, before wanting to boot *shrug* Erocker recommended 10.4a so I'm going to give that a look here shortly. I figured I'd give a PROPER driver cleaning a try first before dropping the hammer on 10.6 heh

#113

Formula350

HocksterI had more than 2 entries even the very first time I installed the drivers on a brand new install. I paid more attention than usual after upgradng to my SSD's a couple weeks back.

Guess I may need to watch Driver Sweeper more closely and see if it's missing stuff.

There are multiple places in the registry where there are the same exact entries, but all of them so far don't seem to do anything except for the one in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Video

The one in \Control\Services under the amdkpag and amdkpad (or whatever their spell is, there are two for me) doesn't seem to effect anything when I changed the settings. So I unno :P

#114

Frizz

Formula350What is new in CCC? I didn't download it because of my limited monthly bandwidth. :(
/QUOTE]

Well im not sure whether previous drivers have done it before, Its been a while since I've updated but, there's a video acceleration tab for converting videos when you drag and drop them into a portable device and it finally accelerates and optimizes the GPU for adobe flash 10.1

I guess that's where people are getting the problems of idle clocks not working properly too.

#115

Formula350

randomflip
Formula350What is new in CCC? I didn't download it because of my limited monthly bandwidth. :(
Well im not sure whether previous drivers have done it before, Its been a while since I've updated but, there's a video acceleration tab for converting videos when you drag and drop them into a portable device and it finally accelerates and optimizes the GPU for adobe flash 10.1

I guess that's where people are getting the problems of idle clocks not working properly too.

Ah. Yes, that was in 10.3 and 10.5, so that isn't brand new to 10.6 :)

You can also make MORE things pop up in CCC if you feel like it heh Just have to to that registry location I posted above and then in the 0000 and it's subdir UDXV (or UMDV or whatever it is) and change all strings with _NA from 1 to 0. Or if it is binary and is 31 00, change it to 30 00 :cool: You can get the Temporal/Transparancy AA option back, a load of Video enhancement options, and really that is all that comes to mind worth mentioning lol

#116

Steevo

I have been editing the reg keys for awhile now, it also adds back DXVA, and it works well.

#117

Formula350

SteevoI have been editing the reg keys for awhile now, it also adds back DXVA, and it works well.

Yea, I don't quite understand why they removed so much stuff :\ Like Trueform... It's still there, just turned off in the registry! :confused: But whatever....

So I never really used CCC, so as a result I never paid much attention to it his time. I wasn't able to use Overdrive due to being locked, and didn't know that the Unlock button was jusdt in the upper left of that window :o :laugh: So I got it unlocked and let it do it's Auto Tune thing. While these aren't stable in anything but CCC's test, I first got 970/1435 :eek:, and the second time only 1000/1230. So I'm seeing what can handle more real-world results.

EDIT: Yea, loading FurMark instantly crashes the drivers and/or the computer haha That is seeming to be the case with almost anything over 915MHz so far. I have the Vcore set to around 1.270v, but since I don't know what exactly is a safe maximum I haven't pushed it any further. I suspect it wouldn't help anyways though :ohwell: I did know the memory could do 1435MHz/5740MT/s... mostly. It will pop some artifacts every so often, which is why I originally never bothered much with anything over 1395MHz/5580MT/s) since that is stable (haven't checked 1400-1405MHz

#118

newfellow

My modded builds updated, if someone here wants some working setup drop these a try. 'HERE'

#119

bogie

10.4a are the best for me with a HD4870X2 and Windows 7 x64.

Seems to be issues with 10.6 so i'm staying where I am!

#120

DonInKansas

Formula350Clearly your grasp on the English language, even if it is your native language, is quite little. I wasn't arguing with you about the XML, I was agreeing with you and then while I was on that topic, ranting about the lack of software (or ability in available software) that can do what I'm after :rolleyes:

If you're going to belittle someone's grasp on the English language, try to do it with a sentence with less grammatical errors. :roll:

Anyways, the 2D clocks are a multi-card bug? I thought it was a driver issue after 10.2 or so. Maybe I'll give the new drivers a go.

#121

Formula350

DonInKansasAnyways, the 2D clocks are a multi-card bug? I thought it was a driver issue after 10.2 or so. Maybe I'll give the new drivers a go.

No bug was apparent in my rig with 10.3s. And I don't know if you had read the whole thread, but a few of us are having quite a few issues with 10.6. So unless one of the games in the release notes is one you play and it pertains to your system config, I'd probably hold off on updating.

#122

regy13

Unable to access CCC

Am I the only one whose CCC doesn't launch with this version? Can't get to the CCC options. Any suggestions?

#123

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

regy13Am I the only one whose CCC doesn't launch with this version? Can't get to the CCC options. Any suggestions?

uninstall, reboot, install, reboot again. they work fine here.

#124

regy13

Musselsuninstall, reboot, install, reboot again. they work fine here.

Don't suggest the obvious. Already did it twice. Also removed every file with driver sweeper and reinstalled and still no CCC.

#125

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

regy13Don't suggest the obvious. Already did it twice. Also removed every file with driver sweeper and reinstalled and still no CCC.

for a less obvious solution, try hitting your screen with a hammer*. you never stated what you'd tried already, so i started with the obvious.

*if you do, take pics afterwards.

Add your own comment

AMD Unveils ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL Software Suite

154 Comments on AMD Unveils ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL Software Suite

Latest GPU Drivers

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts

AMD Unveils ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL Software Suite

Related News

154 Comments on AMD Unveils ATI Catalyst 10.6 WHQL Software Suite

Latest GPU Drivers

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts