AMD launches driver Catalyst Omega

A good graphics solution requires not only competent hardware, but also drivers that keep up with the times. New games and innovations mean constant optimizations, which makes the software at least as critical a component as the graphics processor itself.

With that in mind, AMD hits the big drum for the new Catalyst Omega. According to the company, the driver offers a massive amount of bug fixes, which is combined with improved performance and new features. The result will be the most competent Catalyst suite ever, for both gamers and developers.

Performance improvements

First off, it’s perhaps most interesting for gamers – performance improvements. AMD promises a real boost with Catalyst Omega, especially in some titles. According to the company, the optimizations are greatest for APUs, but also owners of separate Radeon cards should be able to benefit from higher frame rates.

AMD talks about up to 19 percent better performance for separate Radeon cards, and up to 29 percent higher frame rate for APU processors. However, these are specific game titles and the improvements are measured strangely enough against each platform’s launch software – not against the latest available driver.

SweClockers performance test

The editors can not keep their fingers in check but load the test rig with an RC version of fresh Catalyst Omega. The graphics card is Radeon R9 290X in Über mode and the resolution is 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. The settings and loops are the same as for the editorial staff’s standard graphics card tests, which means very high levels.

With the numbers in hand, AMD’s specific optimizations are clearly visible. Most titles offer little or no improvement, which may be considered normal. Performance is often stabilized after a while in the market where higher frame rates are simply difficult to squeeze out.

However, two games stand out from the crowd. The stealth festival Thief gives an increase of about 6 percent, which raises the frame rate above 50 fps. The biggest winner, however, is the title Bioshock: Infinite, which shoots away by as much as 16 percent compared to older software.

Further experience from Catalyst Omega

Although the editorial tests are primarily concentrated on the Radeon R9 290X and pure performance measurements, some further conclusions can be drawn. The improved figures in Bioshock and Thief are also included in other models, where both the Radeon R9 285 and R9 280X provide clear improvements.

However, not everything is finished. Radeon R9 285 and R9 270X with 2 GB give unexpectedly low performance and extremely bad experience with Hitman: Absolution. Catalyst Omega also gives rise to sporadic screen flashes on one of the office’s systems, something that is not available with older software.

Overall, Catalyst Omega is nevertheless perceived as a relatively stable driver, especially since the editorial package is in some form of prototype stage. As usual, however, it is important to be aware of and prepared for unexpected problems.

Other news in Catalyst Omega

Pure performance improvements aside, AMD is also investing in other innovations in Catalyst Omega. Both gamers, media addicts and developers will love through new tools and updates.

New video management features

First out is news in the graphics card’s video management. The goal is to provide “improved” image quality for movie clips, both on separate Radeon cards and with complete solutions according to the APU concept.

The news includes hardware-accelerated interpolation and features to remove compression artifacts. AMD is also taking the opportunity to introduce improved scaling, which according to the company makes 1080p film significantly more comfortable on a 4K UHD screen.

Improved frame pacing

One of last year’s biggest snacks was so-called microstuttering, a phenomenon where frames are delivered in uneven current, which gives the experience of a lower frame rate. AMD countered the problem by software-controlled timing under the slogan frame pacing.

With Catalyst Omega, the company delivers further improvements, primarily concentrated on systems with Dual Graphics. The company promises smoother flow in Tomb Raider, the Metro series and Sniper Elite, among others.

Virtual Super Resolution

Together with the Geforce GTX 980 and 970 according to the Maxwell architecture, Nvidia rolled out the function Dynamic Super Resolution. In short, it is about games being rendered in a higher resolution than the screen can handle and then scaled down via various algorithms. The result is a form of supersampling, however, without restrictions on specific game titles.

AMD’s response to speech is called Virtual Super Resolution, VSR. In principle, the function does the same thing as Nvidia’s ditto games can be set to a higher resolution than the screen can handle and then scaled down. The result is softer edges, but also backs such that graphical interfaces can be difficult to read.

Screen synchronization with Freesync

Few have probably missed the synchronization technology Freesync – AMD’s challenger to Nvidia G-sync. Unlike the competitor’s solution, the concept is based on the Displayport standard, which many hope will lead to broader compatibility and pressured prices on related screens.

Omega also supports Freesync. So far, however, it is only a function of the paper, as the screens are simply not ready. Next year, however, several different models await, starting during the first quarter. Samsung in particular embraces AMD Freesync and gives all 4K UHD screens support for the technology.

Over 30 new features

In total, AMD believes that Catalyst Omega offers over 30 new features. Many target specific user scenarios or developers, but a few also affect gamers with a focus on performance.

The list reveals, among other things, support for 5K screens, better frame pacing at Crossfire and updates to the Windows installer. AMD is also focusing on Linux and offers ready-made installation packages for Ubuntu and Red Hat Enterprise.

Buggfixar

In addition to better performance and new features, AMD also promises a range of bug fixes. The company focuses above all on the problems most noticed by users, which have been collected through, among other things, forum surveys.

The list of fixed bugs includes installation problems under Windows, graphics problems with Quad Crossfire and various frustrating elements related to hardware acceleration in browsers.

New tools and features developers

Last but not least, AMD is focusing on developers. Updated tools and software with new features will provide smoother game creation, both for DirectX and its own Mantle application interface.

Catalyst Omega provides support for recording and measuring frame rate with Mantle via Gaming Evolved. Also new is the updated hair technology TressFX 3.0. AMD is also taking the opportunity to boast of nearly 100 developers in the beta program for the Mantle interface.

AMD Catalyst Omega will be available during the day

The new driver (14.12) can be downloaded via AMD’s official website. The package comes in two versions, one for Microsoft Windows and one for Linux.