CATALYST™ v3.8 available! Feedbacks here please!

[ShoobyDooblyDoo]

Lets release them as that though .. a tech demo. Not built directly into the drivers!

[lukar]

Guys!! AA2x doesn't work at all, it sets to application preference instead on AA2x, control panel sucks, no other option but go to CAT 3.7...

[saturnotaku]

Originally posted by lukar
Guys!! AA2x doesn't work at all, it sets to application preference instead on AA2x, control panel sucks, no other option but go to CAT 3.7...

2xAA works just fine, it's just that the control panel doesn't display that fact. It's a bug in the control panel, not in the driver itself.

[Rogozhin]

I'm not having problems with morrowind or bf1942

and it's about the same as always at rage3d

been there since the 8500 release

rogo

[tomv]

drivers so far seem to be working well. Sent a bogus report already for NWN, I alt tabbed and it popped up a ATI thing that wanted to send mail so i got all kinds of alerts of that... Wish drivers were a little more informative of what they were going to do, but I accepted the mail requests. But it turned out it was a false alarm, though it said my video card stopped responding when i got out of NWN, i was able to get back in the game. NWN also seems a little smoother. All in all, these are the best drivers so far, imo. The control panel stuff is also nice.

[Mike89]

So where exactly is this ATI un-install Utility? I don't see it anywhere. And does it also un-install the Control Panel? I don't see much info on this feature.

[lukar]

Extract driver package and you will see ATIunst (red icon). Start that, and it will uninstall all ATI application from computer...

[ChrisRay]

I've seen a lot of criticism for these drivers. (which is kinda ironic since I like these drivers) And I consider myself pretty critical of Catalyst Maker and his drivers. Or I have been anyway.

Anywho. I think thats to be expected. Since Catalyst Maker did Hype them up. I personally think smartshader is a pretty neat idea. MY Problem with is it most of the effects arent too useful And my favorite one is not in Direct3d. I hope they improve on them. There are some great uses for shaders even in post proccessing scenerios.

But I'm a big advocate of driver feature sets. And I believe that if they can improve upon smartshader. It will be very interesting. I will admit these drivers have given me a big splash of cold water in my face and made me notice some of things CM is trying to do for us.

Tho I do expect more. Because I consider myself a very demanding consumer. But I do notice things like this. And It's definately the kinda sway I need.,

[CainSyris]

1) Overdrive - nVidia had dynamic clock adjusting due to heat since last year. Sure, nVidia put the top end as the clockspeed and then had it downclock when it needed to, but its semantics that ATI clocks mid and then calls it "overclocking."

2) Hydravision improvement - Maintaining parity with competing multiscreen solutions

3) SmartShader - Meaningless toy that will be forgotten in about two weeks. Forgotten quicker than 2x3 pipe designs and Truform. Already questionable in being used for cheating purposes. Where are all those people who complained about the Asus cheats now?

4) VPU Recover - If it works, a godsend.

5) Catalyst Uninstall - What the hell took so long to get a decent uninstall? I mean are we so bad off that we think that this is a "feature" when it should have been a requirement.

6) Small performance improvement - Yay. Improvements are nice.

7) New tab setup - Terrible. You have to do more clicks to do the same thing. You click 3d->DirectX->Custom->Then the settings instead of DirectX->settings. You then have to apply, come back, back, and then click OpenGL->Custom->Settings instead of just hitting OpenGL tab->settings you want. Sure it looks neat, but its not as efficient and who cares how it looks if it takes longer to use?

8) 16bit color option not forced - Yay, about time.


I agree with the above poster. Roll on to 3.9's and hope for some decent changes. They need to fix the tab situation back to the way it was or give us the option to go back, need to remove SmartShaders from online games, add custom game settings, allow for automatic install upgrades rather than uinstall and reinstall.

They can also add more performance.

[demonized]

Originally posted by CainSyris

games, add custom game settings, allow for automatic install upgrades rather than uinstall and reinstall.

They can also add more performance.

I thought thats not possible cause the driver files are in use and cant be replaced.

[MrWho]

Well, when upgrading my nVidia drivers, I don't need to uninstall the previous ones, at least not always.

[brunoco]

untrue. Nvidia setup actually warns you to uninstall your previous drivers.

you can ignore that if you want but usually it ends up in a nice big mess.

[-=DVS=-]

Clarification some people are confused ,

SmartShaders work in d3d and opengl only on 9700/9800 - Cards
some effects work on older radeons in OpenGl only.

All AA modes works , its just Profiler is buggy better don't use it (set all modes you like ,like you used to in Cays 3.7 manually) ;) , its a bit of dissapointament not very usefull , we need exe detection profiler to be perfect.

OverDrive only works on XT series of Radeons who have thermal probe build in , will not work on older radeons.

VPU Recovery is for Windows XP only i think , someone mentioned it doesn't work in win98/me.

[rth]

I haven't noticed what people say about needing to swap between dx and ogl to see settings.

what pisses me off is that "application preference" is spelt with a capital p in dx but a lower case p in ogl ffs.

also the bug where my mouse cursor icon gets messed up after opening the "advanced tab" is still there.

[halduemilauno]

hi.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1900&p=1

[saturnotaku]

As far as the performance and quality of the drivers goes, I'm pretty pleased overall. But the control panel execution has been poor. We have the spelling problem that was alluded to earlier; the bug where you selection 2xAA but the control panel still says "Application Preference;" and I absolutely agree that the whole one-tab system for D3D/OGL has to go. These are minor annoyances, but they should be addressed in the next release.

[DMA]

People don't seem to like the 3.8's that much if you check out rage3d (http://www.rage3d.com/board/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=59) .
I haven't had any problems myself yet though. Only game i play is UT2003 so.. :p

But it seems that for every new catalyst release more and more problems pop up. At least according to all the angry kids over at r3d.

But most of the problems must be..user errors so to speak, right? I can't believe that the drivers gets worse and worse for every release
:cool:

[Sotos]

Originally posted by lukar
AA2x and AA4x doesn't apply, goback to CAT 3.7 till they fix control panel for CAT 3.8

It applies OK..it is only happening if you have choosen Costum options

THE 3.8 DRIVERS ARE GREAT with better IQ from 3.7 and with more fixes

The 3.8 control panel it can become better and fix some small bugs...

Especially the 3d option with the Switch to Opengl-Direct 3d
i do not find it so nice or practical at all...

As for Smartshader effects are USELLESS...I guess ati imported it for SHOWS of their Smartshader...
i am not interested of using them if they do not provide something usefull for my games...

Everything else is GREAT even VPU recover :) which gives a better support



The only thing in my opinion that they must change is the 3.8 control panel
in 3d settings :(
and make it more practical and not confusing the User more:)

I hope they will change with 3.9 again some Control panel settings especially 3d Option

I think i will send them feedback at ATI site about their NEW CONTROL PANEL i suggest you do the same :)

[dBugged]

I was really looking forward to the 3.8 drivers after all of the hype. I'm glad to see a few bugs were fixed and a few good enhancements were made, however here are the disappointments:

1. FS2004 full screen flicker bug is still present. Gah!

2. Smart Shaders - Tried them, wondered why I'd need these.

3. New 3D control panel - Semi-defective, the settings don't always display properly, even though they are working (as has been posted by other users). Although the settings do take effect, I found this new control panel to be a bigger pain in the butt to use. Oh, and while we're at it -- why not bring the control panel in the new millennium and ditch the crappy looking Windows 3.1 3D borders. Although I love my 9800 Pro and the stability of the drivers, I have to admit that the nVidia control panel looks more modern and cool.

4. Profiles - this is the #1 feature I was looking for. I was envisioning either an exe connection for the profiles or a new task bar application so I wouldn't have to fiddle in the control panel for games that can't handle a lot of FSAA or games that can't use it at all. I was bummed to see that I still have to go into the control panel and that the worthless taskbar icon is still there. This is one area where I wish ATI would copy the nVidia taskbar icon -- it is far more effective than the current ATI offerings.

I know ATI can make these drivers even better. Right now, I'd had have a hard time calling these the most significant upgrade ever. It almost sounds like some from nVidia's marketing department has been coaching the ATI marketing teams.

With these gripes aside, the 3.8 is a solid upgrade and is very stable in the games I can play. Now if only my 9800 XT would arrive in the mail. :(

[digitalwanderer]

Originally posted by -=DVS=-
VPU Recovery is for Windows XP only i think , someone mentioned it doesn't work in win98/me. [/B]
That would be me and I don't see any options for it under 98se. :( (I tried the XP drivers yet, I haven't re-installed XP yet....I'm kind of rebuilding Bubble's hard-drive, again. :rolleyes: )

I gotta say that if I discount all the hype for these drivers that they're a really nice set so far. My system is stable as hell and I haven't ran into any bugs and the IQ seems a bit tastier. (Colors seem a bit more vibrant in openGL to me)

While the SmartShaders might be kind of useless, they're also kind of neat and I still ain't done playing with them yet. Granted I probably won't be using them in any games regular like, but it's an awful lot of fun to goof around with and groove on the crazy results. :D

I'd give the 9x/me set a 9.3/10. :)

[tomv]

just to add, I think the 1 tab idea for GL and D3D is a fantastic idea. I was very impressed with the control panel overall. Despite some of the negativity towards the control panel in this thread, I like it and thought a positive remark was required here.

[Quitch]

Originally posted by OWA
So, any comments on whether it is worth it to upgrade from the 3.7s (considering I'm relatively happy with the 3.7s)? I usually like having the latest and want to see the new features but at Rage3D so many people seem to be having problems it is making me a little nervous about trying them. Here things seem pretty positive so what's the deal? Is anyone here having problems with Morrowind, Generals, B1942, etc. For those that have been using ATI a little longer, are the amount of complaints on Rage3D about normal. I realize there are always a bunch of complaints by people trying out new drivers whether it's ATI / nVidia / etc. but since I'm relatively new to ATI I'm not sure how to judge if the amount is normal or excessive or whatever. Also, if I do try them do I need to uninstall the Rage3D tweaker or will it work with the new drivers?

BTW, I would have asked on Rage3D but their forums are currently really slow and pages keep timing out on me.

Oh, also...if anyone has the AIW 9800 Pro please comment on the MMC update also.

The Rage3D users are like a bunch of spoiled children. Most of the time problems are because they didn't uninstall the previous set of drivers. Other times reinstalling the drivers works.

Basically, 3.8 fixes various game related problems, that annoying OpenGL banding issue, makes the control panel clunkier (and not always reflect your AA settings), and adds a couple of gimmick features.

To sum up, another fairly solid bug fix release. Nothing special. From Rage3D you'd think ATI had betrayed some sacred trust or something. Thank God this site has some measure of sense.

[digitalwanderer]

Originally posted by Quitch
The Rage3D users are like a bunch of spoiled children. Most of the time problems are because they didn't uninstall the previous set of drivers. Other times reinstalling the drivers works.
How about we say "The Rage3D newbies" instead of "users"? Most of the regulars over at R3D don't normally have those types of troubles, it's the influx of newbies buying ATi cards that are having difficulties. (And my hat is off to all the people who hang in the forums there and help those people out....it gets old in a hurry to have someone yell at you for trying to help them. :rolleyes: )

[Quitch]

I didn't want to sound like I was labling everyone there... every time I see a Catalyst release thread there, you know that ten posts in the flames will start

"3.8 made my house burn down!"

[digitalwanderer]

Originally posted by Quitch
I didn't want to sound like I was labling everyone there... every time I see a Catalyst release thread there, you know that ten posts in the flames will start

"3.8 made my house burn down!"
Ain't that the truth! :lol:

I didn't mean to harsh on ya, I just wanted to point out that there are an awful lot of very knowledgeable and skilled people over at R3D...it's just they've been getting soo bloody big that the new people probably make up the bulk of it now. (Not to mention that the people with problems tend to complain more than those who don't have any. ;) )