Tuesday, December 13th 2011

AMD Catalyst 12.1 Preview Drivers Released, Support HD 7900 Series

AMD today released its latest unofficial drivers, Catalyst 12.1 Preview. Surprisingly, this release comes ahead of the month's scheduled WHQL-signed release, Catalyst 11.12 WHQL. According to sources, 12.1 Preview is the first driver that provides early (read: rough-on-the-edges) support for AMD's next generation Radeon HD 7900 series graphics cards, scheduled for launch on the 9th of January, 2012. That apart, Catalyst 12.1 brings the following changes to the table:
  • AMD HD3D technology support enhancement
    o Enables support for AMD HD3D technology in conjunction with AMD CrossFireX configurations
    o Delivers a new Stereo 3D mode over HDMI 1.4a connections - 1080p at 30Hz is now enabled on supported displays.
  • AMD Catalyst Control Center / Vision Engine Control Center enhancements - Application Profiles
    o AMD Catalyst 12.1 Preview driver enables users to create per application profiles to individually control 3D and CrossFireX settings for Direct3D applications
    o Please be sure to select the "Restore Factory Defaults" option under the Catalyst
  • Control Center Preferences menu before using the new application profiles feature - this ensures there are no compatibility issues between previous drivers and the new AMD Catalyst 12.1 Preview driver with regards to application profiles
  • AMD Catalyst Control Center / Vision Engine Control Center enhancements - Video UI improvements
    o AMD Catalyst 12.1 Preview driver includes user interface enhancements to simply adjustment of video color and video quality controls
  • Performance highlights of the AMD Catalyst 12.1 Preview driver (in addition to the AMD Catalyst 11.11c performance driver)
    o Improves performance (10%) in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim when Multi-Sample Anti-Aliasing is enabled on the AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series for single GPU and AMD CrossFireX configurations
DOWNLOAD: AMD Catalyst 12.1 Preview
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80 Comments on AMD Catalyst 12.1 Preview Drivers Released, Support HD 7900 Series

#51
t_ski
Former Staff
Trickson, you will probably want to stick with older drivers. Most times I have seen new drivers installed on older hardware, there were plenty of issues or poor performance. Sticking with the last known stable drivers would be highly recommended.
Posted on Reply
#52
AphexDreamer
FreedomEclipseafaik you need at least 100Hz monitor or above to do 3D
I don't believe that is true since I've read people doing it with 60hz monitor 30 on each eye and with films they do 24 each eye.
Posted on Reply
#53
Black Panther
Latest from twitter:

Andrew D
@CatalystCreator Andrew D
I definitely recommend using 12.1 over 11.12 - it's got the latest fixes and new features. 12.1 Preview is supported on Mobility Radeon too
Posted on Reply
#54
TheoneandonlyMrK
AphexDreamerIs there anyway to enable 3D gaming on any ol 60Hz 1080p Monitor now?
+1 even if its like nvidias suck it and see version of red n green offset 3d
Posted on Reply
#55
pantherx12
AphexDreamerI don't believe that is true since I've read people doing it with 60hz monitor 30 on each eye and with films they do 24 each eye.
It doesn't quite work properly for the vast majority.

If I set the screen to 30hz not only does every thing seem choppier, I can actually see the monitor refresh :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#56
AsRock
TPU addict
pantherx12It doesn't quite work properly for the vast majority.

If I set the screen to 30hz not only does every thing seem choppier, I can actually see the monitor refresh :laugh:
I get that to. although was worse in CRT days as any thing lower than 75hz it kills my eyes and could see it refreshing.

I find games and movies different as with games your controlling the moment and i seem to see it more then. Never had the issue with any bluray or DVD movie..
Posted on Reply
#57
Wrigleyvillain
PTFO or GTFO
These work great so far. Welcome new features too. Anyone got more info on the new CrossfireX options?
Posted on Reply
#58
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
WrigleyvillainThese work great so far. Welcome new features too. Anyone got more info on the new CrossfireX options?
add an exe, pick a crossfire mode.

Posted on Reply
#59
Wrigleyvillain
PTFO or GTFO
Right I get that part and am familiar with profiles from Radeon Pro and what not but less so with the various options like AFR or 1x1 and which is best for which situation. Guess need to read up on multi-gpu tech a bit further.

Though I guess I don't really fully get the use of game profiles either unless forcing one for a different title in order to trick Crossfire into working.
Posted on Reply
#60
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
WrigleyvillainRight I get that part and am familiar with profiles from Radeon Pro and what not but less so with the various options like AFR or 1x1 and which is best for which situation. Guess need to read up on multi-gpu tech a bit further.

Though I guess I don't really fully get the use of game profiles either unless forcing one for a different title in order to trick Crossfire into working.
you can force crossfire on games that dont have a profile yet, or say with skyrim, you could change profiles to avoid all the artifacting we had on launch.


as for per game profiles, easy. starcraft II has no AA, so now you can force AA for just that one game...
Posted on Reply
#61
Gzero
Finding these drivers to be a bit rubbish, who knows if I gained any fps but I'm getting flickering in Skyrim even worse than ever unless I turn off cfx, tried forcing AFR but didn't help, and when I clicked on application profiles CCC just closed itself. Did another factory reset to get it to behave, I know it's preview but how can you have such bad exception checking in something you are releasing to the public... :S
Posted on Reply
#62
trickson
OH, I have such a headache
GzeroFinding these drivers to be a bit rubbish, who knows if I gained any fps but I'm getting flickering in Skyrim even worse than ever unless I turn off cfx, tried forcing AFR but didn't help, and when I clicked on application profiles CCC just closed itself. Did another factory reset to get it to behave, I know it's preview but how can you have such bad exception checking in something you are releasing to the public... :S
This is one reason I never use the preview drivers , They are just that a preview of what is to come . Now the only way you will know if you are getting any performance increase with new drivers is to benchmark them . And on a side note if you are having so much trouble with that game than maybe it is the GAME not the drivers so much . Maybe the game has bugs still in it and that is why there are so many still having trouble with it ? no one ever seems to think it could be the game and not the hardware . Cheer up talk to the games manufacture about this .
Posted on Reply
#63
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
GzeroFinding these drivers to be a bit rubbish, who knows if I gained any fps but I'm getting flickering in Skyrim even worse than ever unless I turn off cfx, tried forcing AFR but didn't help, and when I clicked on application profiles CCC just closed itself. Did another factory reset to get it to behave, I know it's preview but how can you have such bad exception checking in something you are releasing to the public... :S
did you restore defaults like it said in the release notes?
Posted on Reply
#64
Gzero
Musselsdid you restore defaults like it said in the release notes?
Plenty of times. I checked under Use AMD pre defined profiles option and there is no Skyrim in that list. :S

Bf3, DEHR and a few other games are though.
Posted on Reply
#65
Wrigleyvillain
PTFO or GTFO
Great IQ in Skyrim and no issues here as yet. I did not do clean install or reset defaults either.
Posted on Reply
#66
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
GzeroPlenty of times. I checked under Use AMD pre defined profiles option and there is no Skyrim in that list. :S

Bf3, DEHR and a few other games are though.
crossfire worked for me, even with it not showing in that list. you're supposed to add the .exe in the topmost option, and customise it yourself.


what you were doing was changing a blank profile not associated with any games - you have to choose the .exe and save it for it to make a difference.
Posted on Reply
#67
blandead
GzeroPlenty of times. I checked under Use AMD pre defined profiles option and there is no Skyrim in that list. :S

Bf3, DEHR and a few other games are though.
Are most of you just not understanding how the application profile works?

If you don't have any CAPS Driver installed, it won't show that you are overriding the built-in ones. Probably , isn't even using it. The WHQL 11.12 nor the 12.1 included a CAPS driver from a fresh install, just downloaded 12.1 CAPS driver from AMD site. Once you do that and you select a game it'll ask you if you want to override their default settings... otherwise it'll say new game profile added if they don't have one at all.

Double check your settings.. and the point of the new feature isn't to "find" skyrim on the list... it's to add it yourself and override the setting you need. Try to actually make your own Skyrim profile like you'd like and see if it helps. It was working for me with D3 beta...
Posted on Reply
#68
Gzero
Musselscrossfire worked for me, even with it not showing in that list. you're supposed to add the .exe in the topmost option, and customise it yourself.


what you were doing was changing a blank profile not associated with any games - you have to choose the .exe and save it for it to make a difference.
I did add the .exe and change it to AFR before picking the .exe
Posted on Reply
#69
Gzero
blandeadAre most of you just not understanding how the application profile works?

If you don't have any CAPS Driver installed, it won't show that you are overriding the built-in ones. Probably , isn't even using it. The WHQL 11.12 nor the 12.1 included a CAPS driver from a fresh install, just downloaded 12.1 CAPS driver from AMD site. Once you do that and you select a game it'll ask you if you want to override their default settings... otherwise it'll say new game profile added if they don't have one at all.

Double check your settings.. and the point of the new feature isn't to "find" skyrim on the list... it's to add it yourself and override the setting you need. Try to actually make your own Skyrim profile like you'd like and see if it helps. It was working for me with D3 beta...
Wakey wakey, CAPS have always been included in the driver install, go see for yourself in the 11.11 performance drivers. There are no 12.1 Caps, AMD haven't released any of a sort: support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/Catalyst121Previewdriver.aspx

I also said I can see there are predefined profiles in my CCC so...
Posted on Reply
#70
blandead
okay I am aware CAPS were included in last few drivers. I meant that the official 11.12 CAPS 1 were on the site... but also said whatever CAPS you have... point is you need one installed and if uninstalled all amd drivers to test preview ones, no more CAPS because it wasn't included in 11.12 WHQL for win 7 x64. so just add the .exe yourself to the list geez.

There is not supposed to be pre-defined profiles in the CCC as far as I know it, when I add a game it asks to replace default app profile. If it didn't ask you this for Skyrim when adding TESV then something is wrong.
Posted on Reply
#71
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
blandeadThere is not supposed to be pre-defined profiles in the CCC as far as I know it, when I add a game it asks to replace default app profile. If it didn't ask you this for Skyrim when adding TESV then something is wrong.
of course they're already included. the CAP profiles are just to add newer ones, instead of making you wait for a newer driver.
Posted on Reply
#72
jonathan1107
Have you guys seen a Perf. increase when using the 12.1 drivers from AMD?
Posted on Reply
#73
Gzero
blandeadokay I am aware CAPS were included in last few drivers. I meant that the official 11.12 CAPS 1 were on the site... but also said whatever CAPS you have... point is you need one installed and if uninstalled all amd drivers to test preview ones, no more CAPS because it wasn't included in 11.12 WHQL for win 7 x64. so just add the .exe yourself to the list geez.

There is not supposed to be pre-defined profiles in the CCC as far as I know it, when I add a game it asks to replace default app profile. If it didn't ask you this for Skyrim when adding TESV then something is wrong.
Tried adding 11.10 Cap 2 and 3, which didn't have an effect. In the end I couldn't be bothered to put up with all this malarky and since I'm watching the pennies have yanked the 2nd card out and will sell it instead (spent half a day installing and reinstalling drivers still got no where). Will put the money towards a new gpu whether be a 7xxx or nvidia offering remains to be seen, however I know now not to bother ever going sli/cfx, better off selling the card rather than letting it depreciate.
Posted on Reply
#74
Solaris17
Super Dainty Moderator
Intrestingly enough I even saw a performance increase using my aging radeon 4200 on my laptop. I was also pumped when it installed fine. Iv had to mod the previous 11.x drivers to work with the 4200 because this chip has simply become "out moded"
Posted on Reply
#75
FreedomEclipse
~Technological Technocrat~
Solaris17Intrestingly enough I even saw a performance increase using my aging radeon 4200 on my laptop. I was also pumped when it installed fine. Iv had to mod the previous 11.x drivers to work with the 4200 because this chip has simply become "out moded"
outmoded or just obselete? Something tells me you cant handle the truth :p
Posted on Reply
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