New Catalyst Hotfix

[Sylvanas]

Yes, Stalker Clear sky now has DX10.1 support- I didn't even know that but heres the patch.

Here is the hotfix driver

Claims are that 10.1 improves performance up to 10% at high rez and offers better image quality. It adds:

* Added DX10.1 support
* Added MSAA for alpha-tested objects ("alpha-to-coverage" for DX10.0, custom "alpha-to-coverage" for DX10.1 for better performance, native DX10.1 implementation for better quality).
* Added new quality level for sun-shadows (ultra) for better picture quality.
* Added new min/max shadowmap technique (which takes advantage of DX10.1 when available) allows to speed up high quality sunshafts rendering for top video boards and high resolutions.
* Added high quality sunshafts acceleration for DX9 renderer



As for Farcry2 here is a comparison of the old hotfix vs the 'new' one.

 

[Tempered81]

i saw this today, it's 8.550 version of the driver i think.

 

[CrystalBay]

v8.551

 

[MegaWorks]

I love you AMD!!:Q These are the 3 games that I'm playing with right now. :heart:

 

[Spamdini]

can we a get confirmation that this stops the stuttering in FC2 at DX10?

 

[SSChevy2001]

Still stuttering in DX10.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Hmm I am already using the hotifx I found out about last week, version 8.541. I am guessing this is an even newer one?

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp
Hmm I am already using the hotifx I found out about last week, version 8.541. I am guessing this is an even newer one?

Yes.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Originally posted by: Spamdini
can we a get confirmation that this stops the stuttering in FC2 at DX10?

a big NO. It might even be worse than the other Hotfix drivers, but at least the gfx_maxfps 30 trick takes care of it.

Single 3870 512MB in Vista x64...

 

[MichaelD]

Seems like VISTA is the problem here. :laugh:

It's great that AMD is on top of this and has released a second hotfix that includes SCS! I'm not having any major issues in SCS and haven't received my copy of FC2 yet. The description says "Improves performance for the DirectX 10 and DirectX 10.1 version of Stalker Clear Sky on both single and CrossFireX configurations at higher resolutions"

I'm running CrossFire and a high res, but I'm NOT runing DX10 (XP is the OS for me!) so i dont' think I'll load this driver until my copy of FC2 gets here.

Then AGAIN...I may wait for Patch 1.0 for FC2 to come out before I load it. It seems to be pretty buggered up as is from the factory. :roll:

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Seems like VISTA is the problem here. :laugh:

It's great that AMD is on top of this and has released a second hotfix that includes SCS! I'm not having any major issues in SCS and haven't received my copy of FC2 yet. The description says "Improves performance for the DirectX 10 and DirectX 10.1 version of Stalker Clear Sky on both single and CrossFireX configurations at higher resolutions"

I'm running CrossFire and a high res, but I'm NOT runing DX10 (XP is the OS for me!) so i dont' think I'll load this driver until my copy of FC2 gets here.

Then AGAIN...I may wait for Patch 1.0 for FC2 to come out before I load it. It seems to be pretty buggered up as is from the factory. :roll:

Yeah .. vista .. sure

AMD had to be on top of it; they got embarrassed into releasing a 2nd Hotfix that fixed the buggy first ones.

The only performance problem with FC2 is the lurching or stuttering - at otherwise decent fps. Our 4870x2 is SO fast, it powers thru FC2 without the obvious stutter that plagues the lesser 48X0s. A single 4870 will be mostly OK with the maxfps cap.

Sadly, you are still running XP .. and missing the *purpose* of having an X2 .. for the DX10 effects - like have a Turbo Porche to drive thru daily traffic and never being able to really open her up

what is really important about the new STALKER update:

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky V1.5.06 patch notes:

V1.5.06

Saved games:

1.5.04 and 1.5.05 saved games will be compatible with patch 1.5.06.

 

[DerekWilson]

you know, i'm actually not having a problem with the 1GB Radeon 4870 -- it's smooth. the 512MB does seem to stutter at parts, but it doesn't seem bad to me -- where are you guys noticing the most stutter? is it with fire, gun fights, driving, walking, what locations, or is it just general?

since the X2 uses 2x 1GB, that might be a reason we are seeing better performance there -- if it's a 512MB issue.

 

[Blacklash]

I'd agree with Derek on this one. Starting @ 1600x cards with greater than 512Mb ram seem to do measurably better in FC2. Guru3d and Hard support this.

If you think the freezes, pausing and stutter are specific to Vista, ATi or nVidia you're simply wrong. Read the FC2 forums. These issues effect folks on a wide variety of hardware.

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/1821007696

Examples for people that think everything is peachy on nVidia hardware-

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/foru...821007696/m/9411088696
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/foru...821007696/m/5701018996
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/foru...821007696/m/1961080996
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/foru...821007696/m/7021077796

FC2 is another game designed and optimized for the console.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: DerekWilson
you know, i'm actually not having a problem with the 1GB Radeon 4870 -- it's smooth. the 512MB does seem to stutter at parts, but it doesn't seem bad to me -- where are you guys noticing the most stutter? is it with fire, gun fights, driving, walking, what locations, or is it just general?

since the X2 uses 2x 1GB, that might be a reason we are seeing better performance there -- if it's a 512MB issue.

are you kidding?

just run short ranch demo with DX10 ultra setting .. it chugs .. even when the bottom FPS is well over 30 with my ASUS 1GB 4870
- in the demo it is most evident. in game it is a bit more subtle but annoys the hell out of me; i'd consider it unplayable

cap the fps and it is much smoother

i think the X2 is just so much more powerful, it does not have this problem
- first play FC2 on a GTX280 and then switch to a 1GB Radeon 4870 .. it becomes really apparent

EDIT: OOPS, we are talking different games, i think

FC2 stutters .. badly ... STALKER CS is mostly OK with a 4870/1GB

 

[SSChevy2001]

Originally posted by: DerekWilson
you know, i'm actually not having a problem with the 1GB Radeon 4870 -- it's smooth. the 512MB does seem to stutter at parts, but it doesn't seem bad to me -- where are you guys noticing the most stutter? is it with fire, gun fights, driving, walking, what locations, or is it just general?

since the X2 uses 2x 1GB, that might be a reason we are seeing better performance there -- if it's a 512MB issue.

I doubt your not getting stuttering on the 1GB 4870. Just do a quick benchmark and you'll see it clear as day.

http://img126.imageshack.us/im...5162/stutteringua2.jpg

Even while ingame you'll notice these quick changes in FPS just walking or driving.

X2 users are more than likely not maxing out the GPU usage ( 99.99% ) like a single cards does, which is why their not seeing the problem.

 

[amtbr]

I have a 4870 1 GB and am running DX9. I dont see any microstuttering at all. My benchmark graphs dont have the sharp little spikes in them either. Not sure whats going on. I am running 8.10 with the first hotfix. I get about 41FPS at 1680x1025 with everything on Ultra/High no AA.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: amtbr
I have a 4870 1 GB and am running DX9. I dont see any microstuttering at all. My benchmark graphs dont have the sharp little spikes in them either. Not sure whats going on. I am running 8.10 with the first hotfix. I get about 41FPS at 1680x1025 with everything on Ultra/High no AA.

There is no stuttering in dx 9, it's just in dx 10.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Originally posted by: DerekWilson
you know, i'm actually not having a problem with the 1GB Radeon 4870 -- it's smooth. the 512MB does seem to stutter at parts, but it doesn't seem bad to me -- where are you guys noticing the most stutter? is it with fire, gun fights, driving, walking, what locations, or is it just general?

since the X2 uses 2x 1GB, that might be a reason we are seeing better performance there -- if it's a 512MB issue.

stuttering happens when walking or driving. If I stand in one spot and do a 360 with the mouse, it's smooth.

showfps command shows that I'm above 45fps while the stuttering happens. If I cap the fps at 30, I can't notice the stuttering anymore. It's not a performance issue...

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Seems like VISTA is the problem here. :laugh:

It's great that AMD is on top of this and has released a second hotfix that includes SCS! I'm not having any major issues in SCS and haven't received my copy of FC2 yet. The description says "Improves performance for the DirectX 10 and DirectX 10.1 version of Stalker Clear Sky on both single and CrossFireX configurations at higher resolutions"

I'm running CrossFire and a high res, but I'm NOT runing DX10 (XP is the OS for me!) so i dont' think I'll load this driver until my copy of FC2 gets here.

Then AGAIN...I may wait for Patch 1.0 for FC2 to come out before I load it. It seems to be pretty buggered up as is from the factory. :roll:

Yeah .. vista .. sure

AMD had to be on top of it; they got embarrassed into releasing a 2nd Hotfix that fixed the buggy first ones.

The only performance problem with FC2 is the lurching or stuttering - at otherwise decent fps. Our 4870x2 is SO fast, it powers thru FC2 without the obvious stutter that plagues the lesser 48X0s. A single 4870 will be mostly OK with the maxfps cap.

Sadly, you are still running XP .. and missing the *purpose* of having an X2 .. for the DX10 effects - like have a Turbo Porche to drive thru daily traffic and never being able to really open her up

what is really important about the new STALKER update:

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky V1.5.06 patch notes:

V1.5.06

Saved games:

1.5.04 and 1.5.05 saved games will be compatible with patch 1.5.06.

"Sadly, I'm still running XP?" PFFFT! Brother, DX10 still hasn't pulled it's thumb out of it's prenatal ASS, let alone DX10.1! The ONLY gaming limitation XP imposes these days is the 4GB (or 3GB, technicaly) system memory limit. Which with a 2GB texture memory video card essentially DOESN'T MATTER for gaming purposes. I've been around long enough to know, that's why I haven't jumped on the "Ooooh! It's new so it's better!" Vista bandwagon.

All the pretty (CAVEAT: When they are actually WORKING) DX10 textures are really insignificant when you consider all the BS you have to go thru to get Vista working correctly.

Oh sure: Just like you (or any Vista enthusiast) I could also load from scratch, carefully selecting only the drivers and games that are known to not conflict, and run some benchmarks.

Yeah. Try loading Vista "the normal way." I.E. load the OS. Load the SP. Download all the MS updates. Load your drivers. All Games from the past 5 years or so. Game patches etc and see what happens.

*BOOM* <--that's what happens

Crashes. Glitches. Blue screens. That's "normal Vista." And/Or DX10. Under optimal conditions DX10 looks prettier and has better performance than DX9. As soon as you put that box under real world conditions, attached to the internet, forget about it. You'll be reloading once a week if not more often.

Vista and DX10 weren't ready for Prime Time a year ago and they still aren't ready even after SP1.

You read the "daily computing news"; you get all the emails from eWeek, PC Mag, etc. WINDOWS 7 is where it's at. Vista will be supported (only b/c of the few idiotic Enterprises that have actually went with it) but MS is ready to forget about it's redheaded step child from a drunken, lost weekend.

Vista. DX10. Pfft.

 

[roid450]

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy

Originally posted by: DerekWilson
you know, i'm actually not having a problem with the 1GB Radeon 4870 -- it's smooth. the 512MB does seem to stutter at parts, but it doesn't seem bad to me -- where are you guys noticing the most stutter? is it with fire, gun fights, driving, walking, what locations, or is it just general?

since the X2 uses 2x 1GB, that might be a reason we are seeing better performance there -- if it's a 512MB issue.

stuttering happens when walking or driving. If I stand in one spot and do a 360 with the mouse, it's smooth.

showfps command shows that I'm above 45fps while the stuttering happens. If I cap the fps at 30, I can't notice the stuttering anymore. It's not a performance issue...

same exact thing need for speed pro street does. theres no fix for it that i'm aware of.

also i just run crysis in DX9 on my vista 64. no problems here. cant even tell the difference between. dx10 crashed a few times and stuttered. so DX9 for me

 

[Spicedaddy]

Vista sucks, bla bla bla bla...

I'm sure FC2 willll work fine in your XP DX9, but guess what, it also works fine in Vista DX9.

And Vista is so much better than XP on good hardware. (performance and stability wise)


NOW GO DEFRAG YOUR XP BOX!

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy
Vista sucks, bla bla bla bla...

I'm sure FC2 willll work fine in your XP DX9, but guess what, it also works fine in Vista DX9.

And Vista is so much better than XP on good hardware. (performance and stability wise)


NOW GO DEFRAG YOUR XP BOX!

Ironically, in every "XX Game doesn't work right" thread I read, DX10 is always mentioned. Oh yeah...DX10 is exclusive to VISTA, not XP or any other OS.

So while you and all other Vista Athletic Supporters say "Vista is awesome...but X Game under DX10 needs work" what you're REALLY saying is "This game blows when run on Vista."

DX10=Vista=Busted Games.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy
Vista sucks, bla bla bla bla...

I'm sure FC2 willll work fine in your XP DX9, but guess what, it also works fine in Vista DX9.

And Vista is so much better than XP on good hardware. (performance and stability wise)


NOW GO DEFRAG YOUR XP BOX!

Ironically, in every "XX Game doesn't work right" thread I read, DX10 is always mentioned. Oh yeah...DX10 is exclusive to VISTA, not XP or any other OS.

So while you and all other Vista Athletic Supporters say "Vista is awesome...but X Game under DX10 needs work" what you're REALLY saying is "This game blows when run on Vista."

DX10=Vista=Busted Games.

We are saying you have no clue what you are missing and you are talking as one has either no experience with Vista or an inability to understand it

Keep your ancient OS from the last millennium like a worn out security blanket and your false sacred cow views of it

You are missing out on a much better OS for gaming than XP is now. Vista is 100% stable. Unfortunately not all of its detractors are.
-i have zero problem with vista gaming

 

[F1shF4t]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy
Vista sucks, bla bla bla bla...

I'm sure FC2 willll work fine in your XP DX9, but guess what, it also works fine in Vista DX9.

And Vista is so much better than XP on good hardware. (performance and stability wise)


NOW GO DEFRAG YOUR XP BOX!

Ironically, in every "XX Game doesn't work right" thread I read, DX10 is always mentioned. Oh yeah...DX10 is exclusive to VISTA, not XP or any other OS.

So while you and all other Vista Athletic Supporters say "Vista is awesome...but X Game under DX10 needs work" what you're REALLY saying is "This game blows when run on Vista."

DX10=Vista=Busted Games.

What your really saying is games should be first coded properly and tested before advertising the feature. It has nothing to do with Vista or DX10.

Only a handful of games don't run on vista. Worms 4 is one of them as well as some of the really old ones (which for the most part didn't work under xp, recoil anyone?) I mean hell, I still play starcraft, it works just as well as it did on my win95 install back in the day.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Spicedaddy
Vista sucks, bla bla bla bla...

I'm sure FC2 willll work fine in your XP DX9, but guess what, it also works fine in Vista DX9.

And Vista is so much better than XP on good hardware. (performance and stability wise)


NOW GO DEFRAG YOUR XP BOX!

Ironically, in every "XX Game doesn't work right" thread I read, DX10 is always mentioned. Oh yeah...DX10 is exclusive to VISTA, not XP or any other OS.

So while you and all other Vista Athletic Supporters say "Vista is awesome...but X Game under DX10 needs work" what you're REALLY saying is "This game blows when run on Vista."

DX10=Vista=Busted Games.

We are saying you have no clue what you are missing and you are talking as one has either no experience with Vista or an inability to understand it

Keep your ancient OS from the last millennium like a worn out security blanket and your false sacred cow views of it

You are missing out on a much better OS for gaming than XP is now. Vista is 100% stable. Unfortunately not all of its detractors are.
-i have zero problem with vista gaming

I doubt even Microsoft themselves boast 100% stability for Vista. Even they aren't that blind. Yeah, Vista is "OK". XP is old, but "OK". Neither are 100% stable. Not by a very long shot.