ATI releases Catalyst 8.11

ATI has released its latest version of the Catalyst drivers. This new driver brings us to Catalyst 8.11. Like the earier versions, Catalyst 8.11 adds new features, bugfixes and performance improvements. The update is compatible with all ATI Radeon cards that are either from the Radeon 9500 line-up, or more recent. 

One of the new features is that it's become possible to check whether a Direct3D or OpenGL will run in CrossfireX. By configuring this in the Catalyst Control Center, the CrossfireX logo will show when a program actually uses the CrossfireX functionality. 

Game improvements have also been made to the Windows games "Far Cry 2" and "Stalker: Clear Sky". People with graphics cards from the Radeon HD3000 or HD4000 series will be able to reach 3 to 10% more performance in Far Cry 2 when using a single card from this line-up. Crossfire users will experience a performance increase of 8 to 14%. Stalker: Clear Sky takes things even further, a single card will increase performance by 6 to 18%, and a Crossfire setup improves the framerate by 10 to 30%. 

Apart from these performance improvements, users of Windows XP will now be able to use HydraVision. HydraVision is a way to efficiently spread multiple applications over one or more screens. It allows users to define area's on the screen in which applications are loaded. HydraVision makes it possible to have up to nine different virtual desktops.

ATI has also made improvements for Linux users. The operating system RHEL 4.7 is now supported by the new Catalyst driver. Support has also been added for the rescaling of video (480i/p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p) through the digital (HDMI and DVI) or analog (component) connectors.

A list of all bugfixes and enhancements for the Windows operating system can be found here, filed under 'release notes'.  The Linux list can be downloaded here. Clicking the banner below will make bring you to the general download page, where you can pick the right drivers for your system.

Tags: hd crossfire hdmi linux radeon vista

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