New AMD graphics driver release candidate targets specific issues with the AOC U2868PQU monitor, bundles in extra performance improvements.
New AMD graphics driver release candidate targets specific issues with the AOC U2868PQU monitor, bundles in extra performance improvements.
This week AMD are building on the benefits of the Catalyst 14.6RC by rolling out an updated release candidate: Catalyst 14.7RC. The swift update appears to have been driven by a specific 60Hz SST flickering issue on the AOC U2868PQU, a newly released 4K monitor which has gained some traction as an affordable gaming UHD panel; the update is only a partial solution however, and still requires a new firmware directly from AOC to fix the issue at source.
In addition to formulating said work-around AMD are also bundling in performance improvements for a range of newer titles. Included are frame pacing improvements for Watch_Dogs, Crossfire scaling improvements for Assassins Creed IV in UHD, and overall performance gains for Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare. Players of new MMO Wildstar should also see significant benefits in the new driver if they hadn’t yet upgraded to the 14.6RC.
The new release candidate can be downloaded direct from AMD here. Users of Windows 8.0 should upgrade to 8.1 as AMD no longer support the older version.
Feature Improvements
Feature Highlights of the AMD Catalyst™ 14.7 RC Driver for Windows
Includes all improvements found in the AMD Catalyst™ 14.6 RC driver
AMD CrossFire™ and AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics profile update for Plants vs. Zombies
Assassin’s Creed IV – improved CrossFire scaling (3840×2160 High Settings) up to 93%
Collaboration with AOC has identified non-standard display timings as the root cause of 60Hz SST flickering exhibited by the AOC U2868PQU panel on certain AMD Radeon™ graphics cards. A software workaround has been implemented in AMD Catalyst 14.7 RC driver to resolve the display timing issues with this display.
– Users are further encouraged to obtain newer display firmware from AOC that will resolve flickering at its origin.
– Users are additionally advised to utilize DisplayPort-certified cables to ensure the integrity of the DisplayPort data connection.
Feature Highlights of the AMD Catalyst™ 14.6 RC Driver for Windows
Plants vs. Zombies (Direct3D performance improvements):
– AMD Radeon R9 290X – 1920×1080 Ultra – improves up to 11%
– AMD Radeon R9 290X – 2560×1600 Ultra – improves up to 15%
– AMD Radeon R9 290X CrossFire configuration (3840×2160 Ultra) – 92% scaling
3DMark Sky Diver improvements:
– AMD A4-6300 – improves up to 4%
– Enables AMD Dual Graphics/AMD CrossFire support
Grid Auto Sport:
– AMD CrossFire profile
Wildstar:
– Power Xpress profile
– Performance improvements to improve smoothness of application
– Performance improves up to 24% at 2560×1600 on the AMD Radeon R9 and R7 Series of products for both single GPU and multi-GPU configurations.
Watch Dogs:
– AMD CrossFire – Frame pacing improvements
Battlefield Hardline Beta:
– AMD CrossFire profile
Includes all improvements found in the AMD Catalyst™ 14.6 RC driver
AMD CrossFire™ and AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics profile update for Plants vs. Zombies
Assassin’s Creed IV – improved CrossFire scaling (3840×2160 High Settings) up to 93%
Collaboration with AOC has identified non-standard display timings as the root cause of 60Hz SST flickering exhibited by the AOC U2868PQU panel on certain AMD Radeon™ graphics cards. A software workaround has been implemented in AMD Catalyst 14.7 RC driver to resolve the display timing issues with this display.
– Users are further encouraged to obtain newer display firmware from AOC that will resolve flickering at its origin.
– Users are additionally advised to utilize DisplayPort-certified cables to ensure the integrity of the DisplayPort data connection.
Feature Highlights of the AMD Catalyst™ 14.6 RC Driver for Windows
Plants vs. Zombies (Direct3D performance improvements):
– AMD Radeon R9 290X – 1920×1080 Ultra – improves up to 11%
– AMD Radeon R9 290X – 2560×1600 Ultra – improves up to 15%
– AMD Radeon R9 290X CrossFire configuration (3840×2160 Ultra) – 92% scaling
3DMark Sky Diver improvements:
– AMD A4-6300 – improves up to 4%
– Enables AMD Dual Graphics/AMD CrossFire support
Grid Auto Sport:
– AMD CrossFire profile
Wildstar:
– Power Xpress profile
– Performance improvements to improve smoothness of application
– Performance improves up to 24% at 2560×1600 on the AMD Radeon R9 and R7 Series of products for both single GPU and multi-GPU configurations.
Watch Dogs:
– AMD CrossFire – Frame pacing improvements
Battlefield Hardline Beta:
– AMD CrossFire profile
All in all the new drivers appear to be well worth trying.
