Catalyst 10.1: Crossfire profiles and improved Eyefinity support

[TheMailMan78]

I wish they would come out already!!

Catalyst 10.1: Crossfire profiles and improved Eyefinity support
A Beta version of the Catalyst 10.1 that has been leaked to the Internet gives a preview on what the forthcoming Radeon driver will offer. Most notably: Better Crossfire and better Eyefinity.

AMD apparently wants to introduce several enhancements with the forthcoming Catalyst 10.1. Just recently it has been reported that a Beta version of the software has been leaked to the Internet. Of course we can't recommend downloading because the driver has not been released or offered by AMD, but the Release Notes at least promise some interesting improvements.

From the document one can learn that the driver will offer Crossfire profiles in an separate XML file - similar to Nvidia's NvApps.xml. This file allows the user to make manual alterations to the multi GPU compatibility or prompt updates by the IHVs. The ideal case would be that right in time for the launch of a game or demo the appropriate multi GPU profile is ready for download. Furthermore it is mentioned that the power consumption of Radeon HD 5000 cards in Crossfire mode has been reduced.

After the introduction of Eyefintiy support for Crossfire systems AMD now upgrades the multi display technology with bezel management. This makes it possible to adjust the signal delivered by the graphics card to the bezel of the monitors. Actually a part of the image is not shown at all, which creates a more lifelike impression for the human eye.

Additional features of the Catalyst 10.1 as listed in the Beta Release Notes:
* AMD Dual Graphics: Possibility of combining performances of the IGP of the RS880 with the forthcoming entry level GPUs from the Cedar and Park ranges.
* 3D Stereoscopics: Update of the D3D driver so as to allow third party firms such as IZ3D to use their 3D solution with 120 Hz screens. Support for Bit Cauldron glasses.
* Better GPU acceleration in Windows 7 Video Converter
* Support for DisplayPort Audio (already in the 9.12 hotfix)
* If laptop manufacturers allow it, possibility of installing the Catalysts on a laptop in Vista and 7
* Improvement of 2D performance in Linux
* Support for Ubuntu 9.10 and OpenSUSE 11.2

A release date for the final Catalyst 10.1 has not been announced yet. But we will keep you up-to-date.

Source

 

[kenkickr]

It would be nice if they would release the new 600,650, and 750 TV tuner drivers and catalyst media center at the same time. AMD has now delayed their coming for 3 months now but I'm a believer n good things come to those who are patient.

 

[Mussels]

we knew of these from the 10.1 beta thread here on TPU, but god i cant wait for the final

 

[TheMailMan78]

we knew of these from the 10.1 beta thread here on TPU, but god i cant wait for the final

Damn I didn't even see a beta thread! I hate when I do this.

 

[Mussels]

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=112621

 

[soldier242]

wow, finally we're able to fiddle with the crossfire profiles!!! WIN

 

[InnocentCriminal]

Shouldn't be too long until the official release - next week I expect.

 

[jjFarking]

we knew of these from the 10.1 beta thread here on TPU, but god i cant wait for the final

Why the impatience?
Is the current driver not treating you well perhaps?

 

[Mussels]

Why the impatience?
Is the current driver not treating you well perhaps?

crossfire issues. Manually editing the profiles is the first time i may be able to fix them.

 

[jjFarking]

crossfire issues. Manually editing the profiles is the first time i may be able to fix them.

Fair enough mate.
I don't have xfire myself (yet), so I don't have that issue.
What exactly is the benefit of the profiles? Kind of like optimised settings per game/app perhaps?

 

[Mussels]

Fair enough mate.
I don't have xfire myself (yet), so I don't have that issue.
What exactly is the benefit of the profiles? Kind of like optimised settings per game/app perhaps?

rather than ATI/AMD making all the settings, we can choose what mode crossfire uses ourselves. Also, we should be able to adjust AA/AF settings outside the game (you know... so ATI users can get AA in batman: arkham sponsored by nvidia asylum)

 

[Disparia]

Excellent. Also nice to see that Hybrid Crossfire has not been forgotten.

 

[phobias23]

so we will be able to xfire different Hd5000 series cards?that will be nice since im getting my HD5870 today and if we can make xfire with different series it will be awesome somehow!!!!???

 

[mikek75]

Not exactly. It works with Integrated Graphics Processors and the low-mid range cards as far as I can tell.

 

[phobias23]

so xfiring a hd5870 with a hd5850 will be not possible,even if a new catalyst comes out??:shadedshuI was hoping that like the old hd4800 series..

 

[InnocentCriminal]

so xfiring a hd5870 with a hd5850 will be not possible,even if a new catalyst comes out??:shadedshuI was hoping that like the old hd4800 series..

That shouldn't change, just the 5870 should drop to the speeds of the 5850. I could be wrong though. If I've understood this correctly, if you've got one of the upcoming IGPs you should be able to use other ATi cards to run Hybrid Crossfire. With the 790GX chipset you could use a dedicated card from the same family and it'd work in a similar fashion to normal Crossfire. With these new chipsets and drivers you should be able to use one from the same family.

Someone please add additional information or make amendments if that's wrong.

 

[Mussels]

5850 + 5870 will work.

58x0 + onboard will not.


From what we've seen, low end 5k cards are just reused 4k cards (dx10.1) - they use the same IGP as the radeon 3200/4200 in what will become the 5200 (maybe with a few minor tweaks, like the 4200 got)

 

[phobias23]

to Mussels

thanks dude,so if i get a hd5850(when i have got the money cuz im right now with my hd5870)i will be able to xfire it without major issues with the upcoming catalyst drivers.im waiting already that!!!

 

[Mussels]

thanks dude,so if i get a hd5850(when i have got the money cuz im right now with my hd5870)i will be able to xfire it without major issues with the upcoming catalyst drivers.im waiting already that!!!

i believe so, yes. That's the way its worked in previous generations.

Don't buy the card til its confirmed working, however.

 

[phobias23]

Thanks a lot Mussels

Of course,i just hope ATI will not dissapoint us.by the way will catalyst 10.1 increase the performance of the hd5000 series???