Polaris launch driver offers general UI improvements, bugfixes and the debut of the Radeon WattMan overclocking/control utility.
Polaris launch driver offers general UI improvements, bugfixes and the debut of the Radeon WattMan overclocking/control utility.
Coinciding with this week’s launch of AMD‘s brand new graphics card – the Radeon RX 480 – is the release of their latest driver and software package. Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.6.2 is an update which provides optimal performance for the new hardware, needed due to the architectural change to 4th generation GCN AKA Polaris, as well as a series of UI tweaks and fresh features.
Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.6.2 is classed as a Hotfix driver, AMD’s classification for any update which hasn’t undergone Microsoft’s WHQL certification process (it’s likely that a WHQL release will follow in short order for OEMs). Unlike other recent releases the update isn’t designed to addressed specific or broad game performance, instead concentrating on support for the RX 480 (and presumably later SKUs which utilise the same architecture).
A quick look at the release notes also indicates a secondary focus for the new drivers: UI improvements and additional features for the software itself. As well as the reintroduction of HDMI scaling into the base design – something that was part of older Catalyst utilities – and explicit Crossfire toggle, this version also includes a utility AMD are calling Radeon WattMan.
Radeon WattMann
Rather than bloat the RSCE UI for all users, AMD are spinning off control and overclocking functionality to the Radeon WattMan sub-section. From here users will be able to boost GPU frequencies, power limits and fan speeds as well as modify the balances thereof. Radeon WattMann specifically takes advantage of sensor and control improvements within the Polaris architecture and as such is compatible with the RX 480 graphics card. For all intents and purposes it replaces AMD OverDrive within RSCE.
DOWNLOAD LINK: RSCE 16.6.2 (Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7; 32bit & 64bit
Release Notes
Radeon Software Crimson Edition is AMD’s revolutionary new graphics software that delivers redesigned functionality, supercharged graphics performance, remarkable new features, and innovation that redefines the overall user experience. Every Radeon Software release strives to deliver new features, better performance and stability improvements.
Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.6.2 Highlights
Support for: Radeon™ RX 480
New AMD Crossfire profile available for: World of Tanks™
Radeon WattMan: A brand new utility for Radeon Software that allows users more complete control over their graphics processor. More information on Radeon WattMan and its supported products can be found here.
AMD Crossfire Toggle: A new option has been introduced into Radeon Settings under the “Gaming -> Global Settings” tab. This allows users to toggle AMD Crossfire support globally “on” for supported games or “off” for all gaming profiles.
HDMI® Scaling: Radeon Settings now provides the option for the user to adjust their display image scaling on HDMI® connected displays. This option is available under the “Display” tab in Radeon Settings for supported configurations.
Display Color Temperature: Radeon Settings now allows a user to set display color temperature based on either the displays predefined settings or manually via a slider configured to support the displays supported range. This option is available under the “Display” tab in Radeon Settings for supported configurations.
Desktop Color: Radeon Settings has added the option to launch the operating systems color page via the new “Desktop Color” button which is available in the “Display” tab in Radeon Settings for supported configurations.
Vulkan™ Version: Currently installed Vulkan™ version information has now been made available through the Radeon Settings “System -> Software” tab.
Fixed Issues
Flickering may be observed in AMD Crossfire mode configurations while playing Hitman™ in select gameplay missions.
Flickering may be observed in AMD Crossfire mode configurations while playing Heroes of the Storm™.
Intermittent or minor white flashing may occur on some web browsers when using Netflix™ and hovering over the UI or icons.
Minor stuttering may occur in AMD Crossfire mode configurations when playing Elite Dangerous™.
Flickering may be observed in AMD Crossfire mode configurations while using the inventory and character pages in The Witcher® 3: Wild Hunt.
Flickering may be observed in AMD Crossfire mode configurations during the battle and tutorial loading screens in Star Wars™ Battlefront.
Known Issues
A few game titles may fail to launch or crash if the AMD Gaming Evolved overlay is enabled. A temporary workaround is to disable the AMD Gaming Evolved “In Game Overlay”.
Radeon Pro Duo may experience a black screen in Total War™: Warhammer with the games API set to DirectX®12 and V-Sync enabled.
DiRT™ Rally may experience flickering terrain in some races when the advanced blending option is enabled in the games settings page.
Some Overdrive settings may not appear in Radeon Settings for Radeon Fury X when in AMD Crossfire mode.
Display may exhibit a minor flicker on Radeon RX 480 when Freesync is enabled on a games launch or exit.
Dota™2 may crash when using the Vulkan™ API and the user changes resolutions or quality settings.
Battlefield™ 4 may experience crashes when using Mantle. As a work around users are suggested to switch to DirectX®11.
Need for Speed™ may experience flickering on some light sources in AMD Crossfire mode.
Hitman™ may experience graphical corruption when the game is set to use DirectX®12 API and using zoom with weapons.
Frame Rate Target Control gaming profiles may fail to enable for some games.
Radeon Wattman may retain settings of an overclock after it has failed. If you have failed an overclock with a system hang or reboot make sure to use the “Reset” option in the Radeon WattMan settings page when the system has rebooted.
Low frame rate or stutter may be experienced Wolfenstein®: The Old Blood™ on Radeon™ RX 480.
Assassin’s Creed® Syndicate may experience a game crash or hang when in game settings are set to high or greater.
Disabling AMD Crossfire mode on Radeon™ RX 480 may disable the device in Windows Device Manager. A workaround is to reboot the system to re-enable the device.
Package Contents
The Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.6.2 installation package contains the following:
Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.6.2 Driver Version 16.20.1035.
Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.6.2 Highlights
Support for: Radeon™ RX 480
New AMD Crossfire profile available for: World of Tanks™
Radeon WattMan: A brand new utility for Radeon Software that allows users more complete control over their graphics processor. More information on Radeon WattMan and its supported products can be found here.
AMD Crossfire Toggle: A new option has been introduced into Radeon Settings under the “Gaming -> Global Settings” tab. This allows users to toggle AMD Crossfire support globally “on” for supported games or “off” for all gaming profiles.
HDMI® Scaling: Radeon Settings now provides the option for the user to adjust their display image scaling on HDMI® connected displays. This option is available under the “Display” tab in Radeon Settings for supported configurations.
Display Color Temperature: Radeon Settings now allows a user to set display color temperature based on either the displays predefined settings or manually via a slider configured to support the displays supported range. This option is available under the “Display” tab in Radeon Settings for supported configurations.
Desktop Color: Radeon Settings has added the option to launch the operating systems color page via the new “Desktop Color” button which is available in the “Display” tab in Radeon Settings for supported configurations.
Vulkan™ Version: Currently installed Vulkan™ version information has now been made available through the Radeon Settings “System -> Software” tab.
Fixed Issues
Flickering may be observed in AMD Crossfire mode configurations while playing Hitman™ in select gameplay missions.
Flickering may be observed in AMD Crossfire mode configurations while playing Heroes of the Storm™.
Intermittent or minor white flashing may occur on some web browsers when using Netflix™ and hovering over the UI or icons.
Minor stuttering may occur in AMD Crossfire mode configurations when playing Elite Dangerous™.
Flickering may be observed in AMD Crossfire mode configurations while using the inventory and character pages in The Witcher® 3: Wild Hunt.
Flickering may be observed in AMD Crossfire mode configurations during the battle and tutorial loading screens in Star Wars™ Battlefront.
Known Issues
A few game titles may fail to launch or crash if the AMD Gaming Evolved overlay is enabled. A temporary workaround is to disable the AMD Gaming Evolved “In Game Overlay”.
Radeon Pro Duo may experience a black screen in Total War™: Warhammer with the games API set to DirectX®12 and V-Sync enabled.
DiRT™ Rally may experience flickering terrain in some races when the advanced blending option is enabled in the games settings page.
Some Overdrive settings may not appear in Radeon Settings for Radeon Fury X when in AMD Crossfire mode.
Display may exhibit a minor flicker on Radeon RX 480 when Freesync is enabled on a games launch or exit.
Dota™2 may crash when using the Vulkan™ API and the user changes resolutions or quality settings.
Battlefield™ 4 may experience crashes when using Mantle. As a work around users are suggested to switch to DirectX®11.
Need for Speed™ may experience flickering on some light sources in AMD Crossfire mode.
Hitman™ may experience graphical corruption when the game is set to use DirectX®12 API and using zoom with weapons.
Frame Rate Target Control gaming profiles may fail to enable for some games.
Radeon Wattman may retain settings of an overclock after it has failed. If you have failed an overclock with a system hang or reboot make sure to use the “Reset” option in the Radeon WattMan settings page when the system has rebooted.
Low frame rate or stutter may be experienced Wolfenstein®: The Old Blood™ on Radeon™ RX 480.
Assassin’s Creed® Syndicate may experience a game crash or hang when in game settings are set to high or greater.
Disabling AMD Crossfire mode on Radeon™ RX 480 may disable the device in Windows Device Manager. A workaround is to reboot the system to re-enable the device.
Package Contents
The Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.6.2 installation package contains the following:
Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.6.2 Driver Version 16.20.1035.
