Thursday, August 16th 2012

AMD Catalyst 12.8 WHQL Software Suite Released

by
btarunr
 Discuss (103 Comments)
AMD released the first WHQL-signed Catalyst drivers since June. Catalyst 12.8 WHQL is the first unified Catalyst driver certified for Windows 8, its release follows the RTM version of the operating system being available to enterprise and industry customers, ahead of the October 26 consumer retail launch. The driver introduces target-independent rasterization (TIR), an efficient new Direct3D rendering path. The driver also works to improve GPU power consumption. A suite of Windows 8-exclusive features, including native stereo 3D support and unified video API are included. Catalyst 12.8 WHQL also introduces performance-improvements specific to games, including up to 25% performance increase in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, 10% in Dirt 3, 6% in Batman: Arkham City, and 3% in Battlefield 3. Several game-specific bugs were patched.

DOWNLOAD: AMD Catalyst 12.8 WHQL for Windows Vista, 7 and 8 (64-bit), Windows Vista, 7 and 8 (32-bit), Windows XP (32-bit), Windows XP (64-bit)

The change-log follows.

Features:
  • AMD's first official unified and logo certified driver for Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista
  • Target-Independent Rasterization (TIR): TIR is a new rendering path that enables superior anti-aliasing in Direct3D driver applications
  • Native Stereo 3D Support: Windows 8 natively supports stereoscopic 3D gaming and videos via compatible applications
  • Unified Video API: Video playback has been integrated into the DirectX 11 API, enabling simultaneous video and gaming content. Transcoding performance may also be improved for supporting applications.
  • Optimized screen rotation for rotation aware devices
  • Improved sleep/resume performance
  • Optimized GPU power consumption
  • Major technologies / features also supported under Windows 8:
    o AMD Eyefinity technology
    o OpenCL
    o OpenGL
    o Unified Video Decoder (UVD)
    o AMD Dual Graphics
    o AMD CrossFire technology
    o AMD Overdrive
    o AMD Catalyst Control Center
    o Vision Engine Control Center
Performance highlights
  • Up to 25% in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
  • Up to 3% in Battlefield 3
  • Up to 6% in Batman: Arkham City
  • Up to 3% in Dues Ex: Human Revolution
  • Up to 6% in Crysis 2
  • Up to 15% in Total War: Shogun
  • Up to 8% in Crysis Warhead
  • Up to 5% in Just Cause 2
  • Up to 10% in Dirt 3
New and updated CAPs
  • The Secret World (DX11): Resolves corruption seen in HUD/options when running in CrossFire mode on the AMD Radeon HD 7000 Series
  • TorchLight 2 - Improves single GPU performance, and disables CrossFire due to incompatible support when running in a Multi-GPU configuration
  • Spec Ops: The Line: Improves CrossFire performance
  • Hawken: Improves CrossFire performance
Resolved issue highlights
  • Over/underscan settings are correctly restored on system reboot
  • Audio is no longer disabled if the connected HDTV Is switched off/on
  • Shogun 2 : Flickering text is no longer experienced
  • Star Wars - The Old Republic : In game cinematic no longer experience flicker when using the arrow keys
  • Dirt Showdown: 8-Ball track No longer hangs with Crossfire enabled
  • Max Payne 3 : A black screen is no longer observed when launching game in DirectX 11 mode with Crossfire enabled

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103 Comments on AMD Catalyst 12.8 WHQL Software Suite Released

#26
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
Musselsso it breaks useless benchmarks, and useless antivirus? awesome, i'm so in for this driver
Another usefull post by such a great moderator, Ahh such is life.

This time I didn't remove the 12.4 and just installed the 12.8 straight over top and my useless benchmark I paid good money for now works! and the crappy AV works like it should too.
Posted on Reply
#28
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
Prima.VeraSo "User Error"? -^ ;)
How user error comes into play on this is beyond me. I always do a complete driver wipe minus using Driver sweeper, and never had any issues. Fire Fox is giving me the shits ATM but going to try an earlier version :cool:
Posted on Reply
#29
Steevo
I might try these just to see what it doesn't break so I can cry about it too.
Posted on Reply
#30
Prima.Vera
fullinfusionHow user error comes into play on this is beyond me. I always do a complete driver wipe minus using Driver sweeper, and never had any issues. Fire Fox is giving me the shits ATM but going to try an earlier version :cool:
Well, it doesn't say anywhere that you need to do a complete driver removal first. I only do that when I need to install an older driver.
Posted on Reply
#31
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
Prima.VeraWell, it doesn't say anywhere that you need to do a complete driver removal first. I only do that when I need to install an older driver.
Yeah to each there own, I like keeping the reg and what not clutter free. Ya cant shit on me for that hmm? Whatever every one has there issues. I thought this place was to post on help, problems and fixes! I guess not. Any ways Fire fox ver 14.0.1 is holding up over the ver 15
Posted on Reply
#32
erocker
*
Just ditch FireFox. I've had way too many problems with firefox on a few different computers this year. Switched to Chrome and IE and the problems are gone. I too am using Avast on a few machines and didn't have a problem with that. I'm pretty sure FireFox is the culprit here.
Posted on Reply
#33
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
erockerJust ditch FireFox. I've had way too many problems with firefox on a few different computers this year. Switched to Chrome and IE and the problems are gone. I too am using Avast on a few machines and didn't have a problem with that. I'm pretty sure FireFox is the culprit here.
Yeah I'm on Chrome now. Any tips to sharpen the fonts in tools/encoding in Chrome?

Its fast but just something is a tad off and I cant place my finger on it.
Posted on Reply
#34
erocker
*
Try running cleartype... or whatever it is called in the control panel.
Posted on Reply
#35
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
erockerTry running cleartype... or whatever it is called in the control panel.
I looked in Chrome settings and also the CCC panel and didnt see anything close that says cleartype?
Posted on Reply
#36
erocker
*
Control Panel-->Display-->Adjust ClearType text
Posted on Reply
#37
t_ski
Former Staff
Windows Control Panel, not CCC
Posted on Reply
#38
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
erockerControl Panel-->Display-->Adjust ClearType text
Yup that did the trick. Thank you Erocker and Ski :rockout:
Posted on Reply
#39
pantherx12
erockerControl Panel-->Display-->Adjust ClearType text
Going to control panel is for sukas.

Just hit windows key and type clear and hit enter.

I never browse to anything since windows included quick searching :laugh:
Posted on Reply
#40
the54thvoid
Intoxicated Moderator
Just to chime in, Firefox has been pissing me off for a month or so now with random flash related crashes. PITA. Using IE for BBC iPlayer and the like.
Posted on Reply
#41
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
Yup FF blows for some time but I was always stubborn as I hate learning new browsers.

Chrome is bloody hell fast! Just one thing while we're on the browser topic,
Does one need to configure Chrome like Fire Fox when using an SSD?
Posted on Reply
#42
Prima.Vera
Chrome or Opera are good, even the latest IE is OK. Somehow I cannot find a good program like AdBlock for IE tho...Also the 3D acceleration in browser is a little corrupted when enabling crossfire. Anyone else got this problem too??
fullinfusionYeah to each there own, I like keeping the reg and what not clutter free. Ya cant shit on me for that hmm? Whatever every one has there issues. I thought this place was to post on help, problems and fixes! I guess not. Any ways Fire fox ver 14.0.1 is holding up over the ver 15
I have a 5870 crossfire, but if I uninstall the drivers and use Drive Sweep or similar, I cannot install the new drivers anymore. Only a Win reinstall fixes that. Thats why I never use uninstall...Kinda shitty, I know.
Posted on Reply
#43
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
Prima.VeraChrome or Opera are good, even the latest IE is OK. Somehow I cannot find a good program like AdBlock for IE tho...Also the 3D acceleration in browser is a little corrupted when enabling crossfire. Anyone else got this problem too??




I have a 5870 crossfire, but if I uninstall the drivers and use Drive Sweep or similar, I cannot install the new drivers anymore. Only a Win reinstall fixes that. Thats why I never use uninstall...Kinda shitty, I know.
you use Windows 7? driver sweeper screws with windows big time if Windows service pack is installed, oh something like that.. this has just been the 1st time the amd driver has given me the shits... there must be something else I missed that amd had slid in hidden somewhere is my guess :confused:

But whatever, it's working now and thats all that counts.
Posted on Reply
#44
erocker
*
pantherx12Going to control panel is for sukas.

Just hit windows key and type clear and hit enter.

I never browse to anything since windows included quick searching :laugh:
Searching is for the lazy. I have Windows Search turned off. :D
Posted on Reply
#45
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
erockerSearching is for the lazy. I have Windows Search turned off. :D
hahaha a click and go guy hey Erocker.... Kinda sounds like a ratchet hmmm :toast:
Posted on Reply
#46
TheGuruStud
Musselsso it breaks useless benchmarks, and useless antivirus? awesome, i'm so in for this driver
:laugh: That's kinda what I was thinking. Not to mention that a vid driver isn't going to do that.
the54thvoidJust to chime in, Firefox has been pissing me off for a month or so now with random flash related crashes. PITA. Using IE for BBC iPlayer and the like.
That's probably flash itself. It's garbage. Use the flash uninstaller tool and get rid of it. Then, either install a really old version (like 10.0) or alternative flash player. I had many problems with flash video before and every time it was adobe's crap. FF runs fine.
Posted on Reply
#47
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
TheGuruStud:laugh: That's kinda what I was thinking. Not to mention that a vid driver isn't going to do that.



That's probably flash itself. It's garbage. Use the flash uninstaller tool and get rid of it. Then, either install a really old version (like 10.0) or alternative flash player. I had many problems with flash video before and everytime it was flash. FF runs fine.
Well explain it to me Mr wise guy! Everything up to that moment worked fine till the install lol..... :slap:

I'm new but not that new to the block bro! I think I have somewhat an idea on whats going on :cool:

I'll be sure to fill ya all in after I duplicate the problem a few times :pimp:
Posted on Reply
#48
TheGuruStud
fullinfusionWell explain it to me Mr wise guy! Everything up to that moment worked fine till..... :slap:

I'm not new to the block bro! I think I have somewhat an idea on whats going on :cool:

I'll be sure to fill ya all in after I duplicate the problem a few times :pimp:
But if you can't duplicate it on another system, then you can't blame a driver for that.

My explanation :p: Delete your AV, install ESET, delete benchmarking apps.
Posted on Reply
#49
fullinfusion
Vanguard Beta Tester
TheGuruStudBut if you can't duplicate it on another system, then you can't blame a driver for that.
No it's the driver tying itself to something else... That or CCleaner wiped something out.

I always follow a strict uninstall method but this time something didnt take...

If I remove the 12.4 driver and even remove any stragglers from the registry, plus do a clean 12.8 install shit happens! why? I have know Idea..

I install straight over the 12.4's and not a single freaking issue! Now you tell me?
Posted on Reply
#50
Mussels
Freshwater Moderator
fullinfusionNo it's the driver tying itself to something else... That or CCleaner wiped something out.

I always follow a strict uninstall method but this time something didnt take...

If I remove the 12.4 driver and even remove any stragglers from the registry, plus do a clean 12.8 install shit happens! why? I have know Idea..

I install straight over the 12.4's and not a single freaking issue! Now you tell me?
CCleaner and driver cleaner apps always break things. they're a last resort before a format, and not something to be used regularly.
Posted on Reply
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