[Geo]

To mark the consumer release of Windows Vista, the Microsoft desktop operating system that promises so much, AMD have released their first non-beta WHQL Catalyst drivers for all of their supported desktop SKUs. Catalyst 7.1 (denoting its release in January 2007) for Windows Vista therefore drives R3-, R4- and R5-series desktop hardware, enabling full support for the Aero Glass hardware accelerated desktop and other related Vista-only technologies via the new Vista graphics driver model (WDDM).

With a corresponding release for Windows XP, we've taken the current Radeon pinnacle and tested it on both operating systems to see if early promise is to be found. AMD's accompanying press materials for Catalyst 7.1. for Windows Vista make mention of many an improvement, so we investigate the biggest points.

[Reverend]

Can we expect an elaboration on the OpenGL issues? Thanks.

[Mariner]

It's hardly encouraging that the new OpenGL driver which is reportedly optimised for compatibility and stability doesn't appear to be very compatible i.e. serious rendering errors in some programs.

[bigtabs]

I don't understand why AAA will not be accesible any longer, unless using a registry hack. Why take the option out?

Could it have something to do with EATM perhaps replacing it if they iron out the bugs there? If that is the case though, then why remove AAA already?

[neliz]

Hurah!
ATI has done it.
It brough me a driver that I could install without problems and without the actualy limitations of the previous generation installer.

I work with a couple of HP machines with have X1600's or their equivalent FireGL version.
Now HP, like many other OEM's basically refuse to do any form of support on their hardware after the initial launch. You're basically stuck with cat 6.6. I believe from the HP site.
After I installed the omega 7.1's on my nx9420 I went over to my Vista laptop, a mobile workstation (nw8440 FireGL V5200.)
Downloaded the vista installer.. (clicked X1600)
and guess what...
It installed.
It recognized my FireGL as the X1600 it is and installed the Vista drivers just fine. performance was comparable to the normal X1600 albeit a bit lower when benching 3dmark.

Finally getting away from the non-mobility drivers is a great thing. man. if ATI followed NV's "unified driver" approach and nv followed ATi's monthly schedule.. everyone would be happy.

[Dave Baumann]

Originally Posted by neliz

if ATI followed NV's "unified driver" approach

It is a unified driver.

[neliz]

Originally Posted by Dave Baumann

It is a unified driver.

The ATI Mobile Catalyst Update Wizard seems to disagree:

Unfortunately you can't install this driver update on your system. Please contact your notebook supplier for driver-updates

I know it's a support issue, but I very much like my monthly driver update. the fact that the last Driver for "HP" ATI mobility Radeons is based on Cat 6.5 doesn't really impress me.

The latest cat's also don't support any of the older M6's that the some even nVidia's unified driver scheme still supports TNT's ..

[Dave Baumann]

A unified driver means that there is a common code base among a range of graphics ASICs and/or if there isn't the support is still in a single package.

The issue you are talking about is not one of a "unfied driver" but that, dependant on the notebook vendor, we cannot support their particular implementation because they are in charge of the qualification of software and hardware. This support is entirely down to the notebook vendor, and is the same for both ATI and NVIDIA. AMD offer a "Catalyst Mobile" range that is designed to provide the access to monthly reference updates however this is an opt in scheme by the notebook vendor for particular notebooks in their range.

[AlStrong]

And yet there is no official support from nVidia for notebook drivers (older than Geforce 7 Go) except those from the notebook manufacturer.

edit: Dave beat me

[neliz]

thanks!