It seems ATI has picked some tech sites as an outlet for detailed information on their heavily revised and yet to be released software package named ATI Catalyst. The new software features the following: SMARTGART - ATI's proprietary diagnostic tool to determine the most stable AGP setting (for problematic systems), making the most stable drivers in the industry even more stable. New Direct3D and OpenGL control panels for all RADEON class products Give users more control over a variety of performance and image quality settings HYDRAVISION version 3.1 - Offers a variety of new features, including a new installation wizard to help users get their multi-monitor setup working as quickly as possible. Component output for RADEON 8500/ ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV to drive HDTV MULTIMEDIA CENTER (MMC) 7.7 - Offers new skin option "Tranquility", DVD Chapter Preview feature, and support for SVCD compliant capture. REMOTE WONDER 1.2.-- Provides users with a Pre-Defined plug in for WINAMP and MICROSOFT@ POWERPOINT (plus many more to come in the future!) Read more...
Hot Hardware tested the Catalyst 7.72 release and here is a snippet: ATi has mentioned that there have been some improvement in benchmarks optimized for performance, particularly at higher resolutions. So we thought we'd run a few quick tests to see what advantages could be gained with the newer 6.13.10.6094s versus the 6.13.10.6071s. Why no OpenGL you ask? To date, the drivers included in the Catalyst package have only implemented changes to enhance Direct3D performance. This isn't to say that our OpenGL friends have been left out of the mix. ATi has made it clear in their documentation that future updates are planned that would help improve OpenGL performance as well. HotHardware Coverage The Tech-Report got to examine the Catalyst 7.71 package: In short, ATI is working actively to improve its drivers. We're seeing new driver revs almost monthly, and they tend to bring minor performance increases along with bug fixes and compatibility improvements. With this CATALYST release, we're also getting a pretty slick new performance tuning feature, plus a marketing/branding initiative, free of charge. Tech-Report Coverage
Hot Hardware tested the Catalyst 7.72 release and here is a snippet: ATi has mentioned that there have been some improvement in benchmarks optimized for performance, particularly at higher resolutions. So we thought we'd run a few quick tests to see what advantages could be gained with the newer 6.13.10.6094s versus the 6.13.10.6071s. Why no OpenGL you ask? To date, the drivers included in the Catalyst package have only implemented changes to enhance Direct3D performance. This isn't to say that our OpenGL friends have been left out of the mix. ATi has made it clear in their documentation that future updates are planned that would help improve OpenGL performance as well. HotHardware Coverage The Tech-Report got to examine the Catalyst 7.71 package: In short, ATI is working actively to improve its drivers. We're seeing new driver revs almost monthly, and they tend to bring minor performance increases along with bug fixes and compatibility improvements. With this CATALYST release, we're also getting a pretty slick new performance tuning feature, plus a marketing/branding initiative, free of charge. Tech-Report Coverage
