AMD Catalyst Software Suite Version 14.4

This article provides information on the latest posting of the AMD Catalyst Software Suite, AMD Catalyst 14.4.

This particular software suite updates the AMD Catalyst Display Driver and the AMD Catalyst Control Center / AMD Vision Engine Control Center. This unified driver has been updated, and is designed to provide enhanced performance and reliability.

Package Contents

The AMD Catalyst Software Suite, AMD Catalyst 14.4 contains the following:

• AMD Catalyst Display Driver version 14.10.1006
• Southbridge/IXP Driver
• AMD Catalyst Control Center (version 14.10.1006)
  

NOTES

• When installing the AMD Catalyst Driver for Windows operating system, the user must be logged on as Administrator, or have Administrator rights to complete the installation of the AMD Catalyst Driver.
• The AMD Catalyst 14.4 Software Suite requires Windows 7 Service Pack 1 to be installed.
• These release notes provide information on the AMD Catalyst Display Driver only.
• The AMD Catalyst 14.4 Software Suite requires Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 to be installed. Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 is included in all Catalyst packages.
• AMD Eyefinity technology is designed to give gamers access to high display resolutions. As pixel count grows, the graphics "horsepower" required to drive the displays at a reasonable frame rate can increase dramatically. Depending on the game and system configuration, users may notice texture corruption and reduced frame rates when running games in multi-monitor Eyefinity modes.
• Windows Driver Model (WDM) drivers are no longer bundled in the AMD Catalyst software suite. The WDM drivers install bundle can be downloaded independently through the AMD website.

• Support for the AMD Radeon R9 295X
• CrossFire fixes enhancements:
• Crysis 3 – frame pacing improvements
• Far Cry 3 – 3 and 4 GPU performance improvements at high quality settings, high resolution settings
• Anno 2070 – Improved CrossFire scaling up to 34%
• Titanfall – Resolved in game flickering with CrossFire enabled
• Metro Last Light – Improved Crossfire scaling up to 10%
• Eyefinity 3x1 (with three 4K panels) no longer cuts off portions of the application
• Stuttering has been improved in certain applications when selecting mid-Eyefinity resolutions with V-sync Enabled
• Full support for OpenGL 4.4
• OpenGL 4.4 supports the following extensions:
• ARB_buffer_storage
• ARB_enhanced_layouts
• ARB_query_buffer_object
• ARB_clear_texture
• ARB_texture_mirror_clamp_to_edge
• ARB_texture_stencil8
• ARB_vertex_type_10f_11f_11f_rev
• ARB_multi_bind
• ARB_bindless_texture
• ARB_spare_texture
• ARB_seamless_cubemap_per_texture
• ARB_indirect_parameters
• ARB_shader_group_vote
• Mantle beta driver improvements: 
• BattleField 4: Performance slowdown is no longer seen when performing a task switch/Alt-tab
• BattleField 4: Fuzzy images when playing in rotated SLS resolution with an A10 Kaveri system

Known Issues

• System will TDR or BSOD when encoding with Power Director 11
• Driver installation might result in a black screen when installing on a Dual AMD Radeon R9 295X configuration under Windows 8.1.   The issue can be overcome by rebooting the PC; upon reboot the display driver will be installed.  The remaining Catalyst components can then be installed.