AMD/ATi Drivers Question - old card, new build

[teddyv]

Hi Folks - I just upgraded my old 939-based/XP system to a new Asus Z68V-LX/i2500k/Win7Ult 64b system and while I am blown away by the performance, I'd like to move the from the onboard video to the video card from my old system, a Sapphire HD 3850:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102794

It is a bit dated but I am thinking better than the onboard. Anyway, it has been a while and I am not quite sure what drivers/driver package I should have at the ready for the install. I found this page:
http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/radeon_win7-64.aspx
but not sure if I go with the whole software suite, the individual downloads, which ones, etc.

Sure would appreciate any insight.

Thanks

 

[GotNoRice]

Use these IMO: http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/Catalyst121Previewdriver.aspx

I know it says for 5000 and 6000 series, but they work great on my 2x 4870x2 and I'm sure they would work fine on a 3850 also.

 

[tweakboy]

That is a serious bottleneck. the winblows GUI will be much quicker with a fast video card. It uses DX10 DX11... that 3850 doesnt even support dx9 properly. On board video blows goat and so does a 3850 couples with such a powerful rig. You need to spend 130 dollars and buy a 460 1GB ,, regardless if you play games or not!!!

 

[Arkadrel]

@tweakboy


1) isnt the 38xx cards "DirectX10.1 / Shader model 4.1" cards?
2) doesnt windows XP only just support Directx 9?

If hes not playing any games on his machine, that card should be enough, even if it is like 4years old, and on 55nm.


damn old card though.... thats like owning a Nvidia 8800 GT... and still useing it to this day.

Isnt there a onboard IGP that goes with the 2500k? why not just use that?

 

[GotNoRice]

That is a serious bottleneck. the winblows GUI will be much quicker with a fast video card. It uses DX10 DX11... that 3850 doesnt even support dx9 properly. On board video blows goat and so does a 3850 couples with such a powerful rig. You need to spend 130 dollars and buy a 460 1GB ,, regardless if you play games or not!!!

The windows UI only requires DX9 to be accelerated and I doubt you would even notice the difference between cards.

The 3850 is a DirectX10.1 card, i'm not sure how you think it doesn't support DirectX 9 properly...

Obviously lacking knowledge about a subject doesn't stop you from ranting about it anyway.

 

[teddyv]

Thanks for the thoughts folks - this is an upgrade in process I don't really play games, the most intense video I will be doing is editing movies from an HD Helmet Cam and posting them on YouTube. I hopped on the Microcenter upgrade bus and got the mobo, cpu and ram for a bit under $300, and reused everything else. Funny enough, my old 939 finally died just as I finished backing the HD up to a portable.

First thing I need is a return to the $60/gig hard drives, then I will look to new GPU's. Until then, it is the 3850 or the onboard graphics and between the two the 3850 wins (or so folks say...)

 

[Arkadrel]

Your 3850 should be faster...(imo)

And if you dont plan on gameing, its probably not even worth it laying down 50$ for a new GPU.

 

[ZimZum]

but not sure if I go with the whole software suite, the individual downloads, which ones, etc.

Catalyst software suite.

I recently put win 7 on an old machine with a 2400 xt and Aero runs smooth as silk. Your 3850 is more than enough to handle it.