ATI 4.12 Drivers – Catalyst, Omega and DNA go head to head…

Chikitta · Dec 4, 2004, 06:49 PM

Just finished writing up my latest driver comparison

New Omegas are looking for HL2...

technonerd · Dec 4, 2004, 07:19 PM

Omages seem pretty good. But I rather stick with DNA because they treated me good on Counterstrike. I don't really care much about the speed. I care much about stablity. I've used Omega and DNA from 4.6 to 4.12, Omega cause me a couples of problem on Counterstrike and When I use DNA I don't often have much problem as Omega.

So... the 4.12 driver is DNA for me.

refraction · Dec 4, 2004, 07:21 PM

wow thats quite a jump in HL2

Omega what did you do?!

Chikitta · Dec 4, 2004, 07:30 PM

Quote:

wow thats quite a jump in HL2

Omega what did you do?!

Yeah right - I was pretty shocked when I saw the result. I had to check I still had the graphics settings the same... 11 FPS is a massive increase for just a different driver.

vladthedog · Dec 4, 2004, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chikitta

Yeah right - I was pretty shocked when I saw the result. I had to check I still had the graphics settings the same... 11 FPS is a massive increase for just a different driver.

what shocked me even more was that the "tweaked" hl2 version of dna's scored lower than the official cat's....

digitalwanderer · Dec 4, 2004, 08:22 PM

Those graphs are a sin Chikitta.

Chikitta · Dec 4, 2004, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Those graphs are a sin Chikitta

Yep, they suck

Don't have any better software on my machine for doing graphs though, so I was stuck with the abominations Excel churns out.

Quote:

what shocked me even more was that the "tweaked" hl2 version of dna's scored lower than the official cat's....

Yeah that's pretty weird. I tried it with the "insane FPS" install of the DNAs too and it was even lower than the HL2 install.

vladthedog · Dec 4, 2004, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chikitta

Yeah that's pretty weird. I tried it with the "insane FPS" install of the DNAs too and it was even lower than the HL2 install.

now thats what i call optimization

heh

lewis_johnstone · Dec 4, 2004, 09:04 PM

what level of catalyst ai are u using?

daRk_heLmet · Dec 4, 2004, 09:28 PM

hey, link you HL2 demo files
thanks

Chikitta · Dec 4, 2004, 09:29 PM

Quote:

hey, link you HL2 demo files
thanks

I just used the CS Source video stress test.

daRk_heLmet · Dec 4, 2004, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chikitta

I just used the CS Source video stress test.

thats worng

rename your bench to CSS VST then. HL2 test should be HL2 in gmaeplay.

riles9262 · Dec 4, 2004, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the research.

lewis_johnstone · Dec 4, 2004, 10:50 PM

I play HL2 in 1600x1200, x4 AA + x8 AF.

I have seen an exta 10+fps boost, however is just me or does this make hl2 run a bit unstable? Like a bit more jumpy that it already is?

dont u guys find the catalyst 4.12's smoother?

Chikitta · Dec 4, 2004, 11:11 PM

Seems fine to me... I play it at 1280 x 1024, 4AA / 4AF though.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 10, 2004, 01:52 AM

My reccomendations:

Don't run so few of tests,run them 3 times and adverage the , there system must be set up properly

test much more stuff
test more then just omega's and dna's and officals there are many other modders out there you just have to look some that even almost beat omega's verry last round I tested and has posted the results for......

You need to know each driver inside and out. If your lucky your lean enough to code your self like I have. I commanly dis assemble and test and brease over everyones sets. consider me the unoffical private driver "police" of sorts... Also you need to know it for the reviews.. I can easily see how eveything is being done, what it does and why...

Sugestions:

DNA's discussions result in flame wars due to the actions of thier re-maker known as killersneak. His drivers arent suppurted nor really discussed here becouse of his actions and those of his fanboys.

Why read up? Search "DNA" on this website and read every thread

Bias:

Unless you don't normally use moded sets and stick to the ATI releases officals/beta's it's hard to say your not bias torwards or against any given set.... It really helps not only it keep your self objective but to clean out any suspecions

"This is the part of the comparison I tell you I’ve been a DNA user for the past year or so. " -Chikitta

That told me all I need to know about you! From that and your pevious posts... I becouse I surf most of the magor and a fe minor forums

So i've seen many of your posts. To start so you've lost the reasonable doubt I'd normally award you'd have to work especally hard to shake that stero type.

As allways I'll be watching....

Same goes for all the other little sites reviews started / run by fans / supporters... BTW: welcome to my offical "DNA archive"

To answer you previous question you stated on the DNA-drivers website:
FYI: yes it's been proven many times that DNA does steal other modders mainly OMEGA's work. Btw: they are and have been more of less illegal least according to internationl copywright laws and been on the edge of being shut down several times. Becouse of his own actions and some of my reportings I keep ATI aprised if any of the modders step out of line and i catch it.

Not becouse I'm a prick or Bias but becouse he's could verry well get ATI to say ok everybody NO MODED DRIVERS! it been done before... by ATI and nvidia but they came around ... it's a privlage not a right that they allow people to modify an rerelease thier drivers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by refraction

wow thats quite a jump in HL2

Omega what did you do?!

Well for starters DNA disabled AI by default

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalwanderer

Those graphs are a sin Chikitta.

Yes they are and the worse part the scale is horrable makes the diffreneces look larger then they are I got flamed on that when I first started reviewing drivers

to start the fact that the DNA drivers guys loved it tells me much is wrong

consideing more sets then can be easily counted being put under a microscope by myself and omega's useally comeing out #1 every single time (end result, not all tests) (unless it's a fan and the the results useally show DNA ahead in most of the tests ) (wich is a problem when I see the opposite results in my testing) useally DNA's are the sloweer and some times even slower the the officals! in games and in bechmarks.

But it's been a while so I must ADMIT I DON'T CURRENTLY KNOW WERE THEY STAND JUST THEIR LONG HISTORYs.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by technonerd

Omages seem pretty good. But I rather stick with DNA because they treated me good on Counterstrike. I don't really care much about the speed. I care much about stablity. I've used Omega and DNA from 4.6 to 4.12, Omega cause me a couples of problem on Counterstrike and When I use DNA I don't often have much problem as Omega.

So... the 4.12 driver is DNA for me.

Please don't tell me your refuring to the NGO / Omega specail opengl drivers for CS 1.6 that he "barrowed with out permission" along with many other things from other moders that he uses and take credit for.....not flameing just stating the obvious..

also only the omega's are endoresed / reccomended by ATI, as the alternet of choice and DNA's are reccomeded to not to be used. that means alot

I useally never have problems must be the system..
But DNA's have ubber f*** my systems a couple times
the only way to fully fix it is to do a full format / system restore
but his installer etc has gotten alot better since he's got alot more people helping him.

As soon as I get my card from ATI, and my system rebuilt I will then contenu to do my full driver compairisons... I only stopped becouse I stepped back to a 9600xt and the differences weren't apparent becouse the card was holding me back... when I back in full swing probubly in Janurary I'll see were they all stand again...

Shadow Lady · Dec 10, 2004, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chikitta

Yeah right - I was pretty shocked when I saw the result. I had to check I still had the graphics settings the same... 11 FPS is a massive increase for just a different driver.

did the test u did had the same image quality? it seems omega drivers is resetting to performance anisotropic settings when using "quality" setings, but if u didnt use AF well, then that surely would be surprising -.-

theonlybabyface · Dec 10, 2004, 07:40 PM

Nice comparison, however this quote is inaccurate:

"The poor Catalyst drivers are the clear loser here, performing consistently lower than the DNAs and Omegas."

According to your results, the Catalyst never once finished in last place so I'm just curious on what grounds did you base your conclusion on?

Prophet-ni · Dec 13, 2004, 03:56 PM

Dont' people Bench to see the performance of their pc/card vs the games they play?
If so then Over all the Omegas are the winners. I ran a few test of my own, not that I really know what I am doing, but the DNA's had to be over clocked slight to beat the Omega's score that I was getting on my pc.
Anyways when will DH do a Omega, DNA, ATI, Unian Bench test agin.
I like those, really gives more infomations and choice. Holla!!!

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 13, 2004, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prophet-ni

Dont' people Bench to see the performance of their pc/card vs the games they play?
If so then Over all the Omegas are the winners. I ran a few test of my own, not that I really know what I am doing, but the DNA's had to be over clocked slight to beat the Omega's score that I was getting on my pc.
Anyways when will DH do a Omega, DNA, ATI, Unian Bench test agin.
I like those, really gives more infomations and choice. Holla!!!

Like I said about soon as I get my new system setups etc.....

Probubly in janurary

merlinxi · Dec 13, 2004, 04:34 PM

It all comes down to the drivers, the X800 XT by stats is by far an amazing video card. Without good drivers the card is useless, it really comes down to the drivers, and how fast the RAM can process the information now, So what the next card is going to be 1500 mhz? instead of 1200? Obviously 512, who gives a crap. They need good drivers first.

Sgt.Slug · Dec 13, 2004, 07:45 PM

Nice testing etc.. but I'll stick with Catalyst. I rather know what's in my driver then some PotLuck type driver. For everyone that complains, my drivers seem to work fine. All I read on various other sites, or friends tell me is never positive about DNA or Omega. It's funny the contrast from person to person on these drivers. Last I used Omega drivers they did squat for me but 3dmark went up. My smoothest time in games is with Catalyst.

One thing I thought of, for me a glitch on my screen or a particular stutter for me to someone else, is nothing. I got 2 buddies here swear by Omega.. yet when I ask em about anomilies I get here and there(nothing critical) they always have the same problem. They also think a visual slowdown in performance is nothing, but to me on the contrary it is something. So I learned when evaluating drivers, get them and install them. Maybe they will work for you, maybe they wont. For me, I just decided Catalyst are good enough and 3 fps increase in any particular game isn't reason enough to use them.

Dizmo123 · Dec 13, 2004, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgt.Slug

Nice testing etc.. but I'll stick with Catalyst. I rather know what's in my driver then some PotLuck type driver. For everyone that complains, my drivers seem to work fine. All I read on various other sites, or friends tell me is never positive about DNA or Omega. It's funny the contrast from person to person on these drivers. Last I used Omega drivers they did squat for me but 3dmark went up. My smoothest time in games is with Catalyst.

One thing I thought of, for me a glitch on my screen or a particular stutter for me to someone else, is nothing. I got 2 buddies here swear by Omega.. yet when I ask em about anomilies I get here and there(nothing critical) they always have the same problem. They also think a visual slowdown in performance is nothing, but to me on the contrary it is something. So I learned when evaluating drivers, get them and install them. Maybe they will work for you, maybe they wont. For me, I just decided Catalyst are good enough and 3 fps increase in any particular game isn't reason enough to use them.

The 3 fps increase is good enough when you have a crap video card like me, and maybe some of the other people out there.

Zardon · Dec 13, 2004, 11:14 PM

interesting article, however you need to think about changing the scaling on the graphs for the future, some of those changes are only a few points and due to the default scaling you have used, it looks like a few thousand.

technonerd · Dec 13, 2004, 11:56 PM

Neon,

I used NGO only not the Omega Speical (NGP/Omega). I was disappointing on that driver (NGO/Omega). I just wish NGO do it on there own because they did it really good and Counterstrike run perfect only on NGO driver. I've tried Omega, DNA, CATs and NGO many times and NGO did the best job for Counterstrike and Tribes 2.

CS and Tribes 2 is the only game I play.

Now I'm using regular 4.12 cat's driver and it running fine on my CS:S and T:V so I'll stick with it for a while.

Judas · Dec 14, 2004, 12:37 AM

...one thing i must add is the fault in the Radlinker complaint...

you CAN adjust the bars a notch at a time, select one and use the arrow keys.... one notch at a time...

go into the advanced and adjust the increment size.. personally i for the cleanest whole number.... or a perfect 2.50

Dec 4, 2004, 07:21 PM	#3
refraction DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 307 Rep Power: 0 $refraction is on a distinguished road$	wow thats quite a jump in HL2 Omega what did you do?! __________________ [color=royalblue]Computer Specs[/color] := [color=royalblue]AMD Opteron 146 2.0Ghz @ 2.9Ghz[/color] = [color=royalblue]1024Mb PC4400 RAM Dual Channel[/color] = [color=royalblue]Gainward BLISS 7900GTX 512mb[/color] = [color=royalblue]SB Audigy 4 [/color]= [color=royalblue]250Gb SATA Hard Drive[/color] = [color=royalblue]Thermaltake Xaser Case [/color]= [color=royalblue]Benq FP91G+[/color][color=royalblue] 19" TFT[/color]
$refraction is offline$

Dec 4, 2004, 08:22 PM	#6
digitalwanderer Colour Commentator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Highland, IN USA Posts: 5,620 Rep Power: 0	Those graphs are a sin Chikitta. __________________ WTF is up with the sigs?

Dec 4, 2004, 09:04 PM	#9
lewis_johnstone DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 213 Rep Power: 0	what level of catalyst ai are u using? __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 4GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz C9 Twin3X Asus P5E3 Socket 775 4870 X2 2GB CrossfireX (Quad-GPU) Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatality 1000W PSU Windows Vista Premium 64bit 3DMark Vantage : 15880 3DMark06 : 16652

Dec 4, 2004, 09:28 PM	#10
daRk_heLmet Keep firing, assholes! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Death Star Posts: 1,072 Rep Power: 0	hey, link you HL2 demo files thanks __________________ [color=white]My Blog[/color]

Dec 4, 2004, 09:33 PM	#13
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 70 System Specs	Thanks for the research. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Dec 4, 2004, 06:49 PM	#1
Chikitta DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Holy land of farmers, UK Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	ATI 4.12 Drivers – Catalyst, Omega and DNA go head to head… Just finished writing up my latest driver comparison New Omegas are looking for HL2... __________________ Chikitta AMD Athlon XP 3200+ @ 2.3GHz 216 FSB [color=red]::[/color] Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe [color=red]::[/color] Hercules 9800 XT @ 435/770 [color=red]::[/color] 1gb Kingston HyperX PC3500 @ 2.0-2-2-11, 2.7V

Dec 4, 2004, 07:19 PM	#2
technonerd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 594 Rep Power: 0	Omages seem pretty good. But I rather stick with DNA because they treated me good on Counterstrike. I don't really care much about the speed. I care much about stablity. I've used Omega and DNA from 4.6 to 4.12, Omega cause me a couples of problem on Counterstrike and When I use DNA I don't often have much problem as Omega. So... the 4.12 driver is DNA for me.

Dec 4, 2004, 10:50 PM	#14
lewis_johnstone DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 213 Rep Power: 0	I play HL2 in 1600x1200, x4 AA + x8 AF. I have seen an exta 10+fps boost, however is just me or does this make hl2 run a bit unstable? Like a bit more jumpy that it already is? dont u guys find the catalyst 4.12's smoother? __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 4GB Corsair DDR3 1333MHz C9 Twin3X Asus P5E3 Socket 775 4870 X2 2GB CrossfireX (Quad-GPU) Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatality 1000W PSU Windows Vista Premium 64bit 3DMark Vantage : 15880 3DMark06 : 16652

Dec 4, 2004, 11:11 PM	Thread Starter #15
Chikitta DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Holy land of farmers, UK Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	Seems fine to me... I play it at 1280 x 1024, 4AA / 4AF though. __________________ Chikitta AMD Athlon XP 3200+ @ 2.3GHz 216 FSB [color=red]::[/color] Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe [color=red]::[/color] Hercules 9800 XT @ 435/770 [color=red]::[/color] 1gb Kingston HyperX PC3500 @ 2.0-2-2-11, 2.7V

Dec 10, 2004, 07:40 PM	#18
theonlybabyface GO CANUCKS GO!!! Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 129 Rep Power: 0	Nice comparison, however this quote is inaccurate: "The poor Catalyst drivers are the clear loser here, performing consistently lower than the DNAs and Omegas." According to your results, the Catalyst never once finished in last place so I'm just curious on what grounds did you base your conclusion on?

Dec 13, 2004, 03:56 PM	#19
Prophet-ni DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Manitowoc Wi Posts: 23 Rep Power: 0	Dont' people Bench to see the performance of their pc/card vs the games they play? If so then Over all the Omegas are the winners. I ran a few test of my own, not that I really know what I am doing, but the DNA's had to be over clocked slight to beat the Omega's score that I was getting on my pc. Anyways when will DH do a Omega, DNA, ATI, Unian Bench test agin. I like those, really gives more infomations and choice. Holla!!! __________________ [color=black][color=Cyan]▲[/color] [/color][color=white]CPU: [color=silver]Intel P4 2.53 [/color][/color] [color=black][color=Cyan]▲[/color] [/color][color=white]MOBO:* [/color][color=silver]FIC VG31 (POS Board)[/color]* [color=black][color=Cyan]▲[/color] [/color][color=white]RAM:* [/color][color=silver]Samsung PC 2100 133Mhz 1GB[/color] [color=black][color=Cyan]▲[/color] [/color][color=white]Hard Drive: [/color][color=silver]Western 133 ATA 100GB 7200 RPM[/color]* [color=black][color=Cyan]▲[/color] [/color][color=white]GRAPHICS:* [/color][color=silver]GigaByte 9600XT 128MB 500/600 @ 531/638 "Extreme Giant III - Idle 27C/Load 44C"[/color]* [color=black][color=Red]▲[/color] [/color][color=white]INTERNET:* [/color][color=silver]ADSL 1.5Mbps/384Mbps "Wireless Network"[/color]*

Dec 13, 2004, 04:34 PM	#21
merlinxi The Paranoid Cook Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 655 Rep Power: 0	It all comes down to the drivers, the X800 XT by stats is by far an amazing video card. Without good drivers the card is useless, it really comes down to the drivers, and how fast the RAM can process the information now, So what the next card is going to be 1500 mhz? instead of 1200? Obviously 512, who gives a crap. They need good drivers first. __________________ 700 Watt Toughpower Cable Management Power supply -- Asus P55 LE Motherboard -- Intel Core i7 860 2.8GHZ Quad Core -- 6Gb Dominator Ram DD3 8 Latency Timings -- Windows 7 64bit -- Gigabyte GTX470 Superclocked Video Card -- 1.5 TB Hard drive, 1TB hard drive, 250GB Hard drive, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Dec 13, 2004, 07:45 PM	#22
Sgt.Slug DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 136 Rep Power: 0	Nice testing etc.. but I'll stick with Catalyst. I rather know what's in my driver then some PotLuck type driver. For everyone that complains, my drivers seem to work fine. All I read on various other sites, or friends tell me is never positive about DNA or Omega. It's funny the contrast from person to person on these drivers. Last I used Omega drivers they did squat for me but 3dmark went up. My smoothest time in games is with Catalyst. One thing I thought of, for me a glitch on my screen or a particular stutter for me to someone else, is nothing. I got 2 buddies here swear by Omega.. yet when I ask em about anomilies I get here and there(nothing critical) they always have the same problem. They also think a visual slowdown in performance is nothing, but to me on the contrary it is something. So I learned when evaluating drivers, get them and install them. Maybe they will work for you, maybe they wont. For me, I just decided Catalyst are good enough and 3 fps increase in any particular game isn't reason enough to use them.

Dec 13, 2004, 11:14 PM	#24
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	interesting article, however you need to think about changing the scaling on the graphs for the future, some of those changes are only a few points and due to the default scaling you have used, it looks like a few thousand.

Dec 13, 2004, 11:56 PM	#25
technonerd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 594 Rep Power: 0	Neon, I used NGO only not the Omega Speical (NGP/Omega). I was disappointing on that driver (NGO/Omega). I just wish NGO do it on there own because they did it really good and Counterstrike run perfect only on NGO driver. I've tried Omega, DNA, CATs and NGO many times and NGO did the best job for Counterstrike and Tribes 2. CS and Tribes 2 is the only game I play. Now I'm using regular 4.12 cat's driver and it running fine on my CS:S and T:V so I'll stick with it for a while. Last edited by technonerd; Dec 14, 2004 at 12:07 AM.