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AMD issues Catalyst 10.4 graphics driver

by Parm Mann on 30 April 2010, 14:55

Tags: Catalyst Drivers, AMD (NYSE:AMD)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qax36

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April's quickly coming to an end, but if you've been wondering where your monthly serving of ATI Catalyst drivers can be found - you're in luck.

The latest release, version 10.4, is now available from game.amd.com and introduces a selection of new features, performance enhancements and bug fixes.

In an effort to bolster the media credentials of its Radeon-series GPUs, the drivers introduce support for the H.264 Level 5.1 codec at resolutions of over 4,000x2,000 - useful if you're running an insane Eyefinity configuration, perhaps?

In terms of performance, the ATI Video Converter utility is said to offer improved GPU acceleration - as well as newly added support for the H.264 format - and performance gains of up to six per cent can be had in one particular gaming title; S.T.A.L.K.E.R. – Clear Sky.

Last week's hot-fix, which solved unusually long load times in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 on Radeon HD 5000, 4000, 3000 or 2000-series graphics cards, is also bundled into the update.

Catalyst 10.4's new features are detailed below, but users wanting every last detail - including a list of resolved issues for various Windows operating systems - can find the release notes available here.


ATI Catalyst – Video enhancements

  • H.264 Level 5.1 support
    • ATI Catalyst can now playback 5.1 level streams on all supported players
    • Allows for playback of high resolutions (4Kx2K)

AMD video transcoding updates

  • This release of ATI Catalyst provides enhanced support for the Windows 7 Drag and Drop video converter
    • Performance improvements
    • New formats supported (H.264 file formats – MTS, and WMV9 Complex profile interlaced content)
    • ATI Catalyst Control Center option for enabling/disabling GPU acceleration
  • Support for the ATI Video converter is now available in the advanced view of the ATI Catalyst Control Center


HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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Works OK - strange increase in fans and heat for me.
http://forums.hexus.net/graphics-cards-monitors/185178-10-4-catalyst.html
The Battlefield Bad Company 2 issue isn't completely fixed for some, the release notes state:

Known Issues Under All Windows Operating Systems

*Loading time between maps in “Battlefield 2: Bad Company” may be long for ATI
Radeon™ HD 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series
Had a bit of trouble installing this, first two times driver failed to install leaving me with a super low resolution display. Finally got it to work by running the installer from C:\ATI\… don't think that's ever happened before…
I also had the super low-res problem on install but it cleared after a reboot.

As for BFBC2, load times are much better on 4xxx. Tested it on my GF's PC and it loads in about 1min vice 3mins+ now. Big improvement, but still work to be done compared to <15sec load times for other cards :)
Jack91
The Battlefield Bad Company 2 issue isn't completely fixed for some, the release notes state:

Known Issues Under All Windows Operating Systems

*Loading time between maps in “Battlefield 2: Bad Company” may be long for ATI
Radeon™ HD 2000, 3000 and 4000 Series


How not? It works for my Radeon HD 5850 too. BC2 loads in seconds (as it should). Even though the game developer already added a 15 second spawn delay when the round starts anyway.