AMD Catalyst Software Suite Version 12.8 Released

This morning my computer told me about an update for the AMD Catalyst Software Suite – taking it to version 12.8.

Version 12,8 contains the following:

AMD’s first logo certified driver for Windows 8 production featuring support for the DirectX® 11.1 and the new WDDM 1.2 driver model:

• Target-Independent Rasterization (TIR): TIR is a new rendering path that enables superior anti-aliasing in Direct3D driver applications.
• Native Stereo 3D Support: Windows 8 natively supports stereoscopic 3D gaming and videos via compatible applications.
• Unified Video API: Video playback has been integrated into the DirectX 11 API, enabling simultaneous video and gaming content. Transcoding performance may also be improved for supporting applications.
• Optimized screen rotation for rotation aware devices.
• Improved sleep/resume performance.
• Optimized GPU power consumption.
• Support for AMD features
  • AMD Eyefinity
  • OpenCL™
  • OpenGL
  • UVD
  • AMD Dual Graphics / AMD CrossFire™ Technology
  • AMD Overdrive
  • AMD Catalyst Control Center / Vision Engine Control Center

RESOLVED ISSUES

This section provides information on resolved known issues in this release of the AMD Catalyst 12.8 software suite.

Resolved Issues for the Windows 7 Operating System

• Over/underscan settings are correctly restored on system reboot
• SolidWorks: Graphical corruption is no longer experienced
• Crysis Warhead: No longer crashes when launched in DirectX 10 mode
• System no longer hangs when resuming from sleep mode
• Audio is no longer disabled if the connected HDTV Is switched off/on
• Enabling dual graphics mode with a HD 7000 series product no longer displays green video playback
• Call of Duty- Black Ops : No longer hangs when loading a mission in DirectX 9 mode with Crossfire enabled
• Shogun 2: Flickering text is no longer experienced
• Star Wars – The Old Republic: In game cinematics no longer experience flicker when using the arrow keys
• Dirt Showdown: 8-Ball track no longer hangs with AMD Crossfire functionality enabled
• Max Payne 3: A black screen is no longer observed when launching game in DirectX 11 mode with AMD Crossfire functionality enabled
• Max Payne 3: Applying in game settings no longer causes the game to crash

Resolved Issues for the Windows 8 Operating System (These issues were found in the Catalyst driver for the Windows 8 Preview)

• Video playback using the Metro video player no longer shows green corruption
• Deus Ex – Human Revolution: Graphics corruption is no longer experienced during in game cinematics with AMD Crossfire functionality enabled
• Battlefield 3: game no longer crashes when AMD Crossfire functionality is enabled
• Need for Speed – The Run: game no longer crashes to the desktop
• Blocky video corruption no longer seen when using VLC
• System no longer hangs when using PowerDVD
• Green video corruption is no longer seen when using various video players

Resolved Issues for the Windows XP Operating System

• QQ Dancer: A black screen is no longer randomly experienced

KNOWN ISSUES
The following section provides a summary of open issues that may be experienced with the AMD Catalyst 12.8 software suite.

Known issues under the Windows 7 operating system

• Max Payne 3: Lights may flicker when run in Direct X 11 mode in a triple AMD Crossfire configuration
• F1 2011: Vehicle textures may flicker when graphics profile is set to low
• Enemy Territory Quake Wars: Poor performance may be experienced with AMD Crossfire technology enabled
• Rage: Poor performance may be experienced with AMD Crossfire technology enabled

Known issues under the Windows 8 operating system

• Blocky corruption may be experienced when playing back Flash video content
• De-interlacing settings may not be applied to interlaced content when using MPC-HC and PowerDVD
• Civilization V: game may crash when run in DirectX 9 mode
• Total War – Shogun 2: game may experience random crashes
• Rage: game may experience random crashes

Known issues under the Windows XP operating system

• Diablo 3/Starcraft 2/World of Warcraft: Performance may be affected when run in windowed mode

Download the latest ADM Catalyst suite from here