TechSpot - PC Technology News and Analysis

This particular software suite updates both the AMD Display Driver (version 8.351.3), and the Catalyst™ Control Center (version 7.3). This unified driver has been further enhanced to provide the highest level of power, performance, and reliability. The AMD Catalyst™ software suite is the ultimate in performance and stability.

New Features

The following section provides information on new features introduced in this release of Catalyst™.
OpenGL CrossFire™ Support Under Windows Vista

Catalyst™ 7.3 introduces OpenGL CrossFire™ support for the entire ATI Radeon™ X1000 product series under Microsoft Vista. Users will see significant performance gains in a number of applications when running in CrossFire™ mode under Windows Vista.
CrossFire™ Enhancements for Windows Vista

Catalyst™ 7.3 includes CrossFire™ enhancements for Windows Vista that enable the Alternate Frame Rendering (AFR) CrossFire™ rendering mode by default, enabling performance benefits for all AFR compatible applications immediately (including newly released applications that have not been officially profiled for CrossFire™). Future Catalyst™ releases will add further CrossFire™ performance gains once new applications have been profiled specifically for CrossFire™.

Performance Improvements

Dark Messiah Might and Magic performance improves 12.5% or greater on all Radeon™ X1000 series configurations when running in CrossFire™ mode under both the Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. Larger gains of 60% or more can be seen on high end products.

To read the complete release notes please go to https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/Catalyst_73_release_notes.html

Note: Before proceeding with your driver installation we suggest you make sure you are installing the latest version available and for the appropriate model/revision and Operating System. We strongly suggest following 'readme' instructions for installing drivers when available. Often restarting your system will be necessary for the new driver to become active and start functioning properly.

You can check back regularly for the latest updates at TechSpot's Drivers or stop by our frontpage for the best daily PC technology news coverage on the web.