{"id":23351,"date":"2011-01-15T18:15:30","date_gmt":"2011-01-15T18:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=23351"},"modified":"2011-01-15T18:39:51","modified_gmt":"2011-01-15T18:39:51","slug":"catalyst-10-12-performance-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/catalyst-10-12-performance-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Catalyst 10.12 Performance Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p>The previous entry of this continued series was the <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=22410\" target=\"_blank\">Catalyst 10.11 Performance Analysis<\/a>. Today we look at what has taken place since then. The Catalyst 10.12 drivers have come out with a few interface changes but we are going to take a look at the performance. There has been talk of a few more interface changes coming with the Catalyst 11.1 driver set, so we will wait and see and then cover the new interface in a follow up.<\/p>\n<p>For this article, I aim to use 12 benchmarks consisting of 11 games and 1 synthetic benchmark to show the performance differences between the 10.11 and the 10.12 driver iterations. The testing will take into account AMD\u2019s largest DX11 lineup, the Radeon HD 5000 series, represented here by the HD 5830.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px;\" title=\"HD 5830 - 3\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/HD58303.png?resize=400%2C300\" border=\"0\" alt=\"HD 5830 - 3\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Heaven 2.1 (synthetic) benchmark was run at its default settings while all the games were run at 1920\u00d71200 and 1680\u00d71050 resolutions with maxed out in-game settings plus 4xAA and 16xAF.<\/p>\n<p>The tests were run on the same Radeon HD 5830 (at stock settings) that was <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=16565\" target=\"_blank\">reviewed earlier<\/a>. Let\u2019s get to the test bench and the results.<\/p>\n<p><!--pagetitle:Introduction--><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle:Test Configuration--><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Test Configuration<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Hardware<\/span><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"547\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>CPU:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\">Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550S @ 3.75GHz (441&#215;8.5)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>CPU Cooler:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=20655\" target=\"_blank\">Thermaltake BigWater 760is<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>Motherboard:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\">ASUS P5E Deluxe X48 (Rampage Formula BIOS)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>Hard Disk:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\">Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB (ST3500418AS)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>Memory:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\">G.SKILL 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2-1000 PQ<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>Video Cards:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=16565\" target=\"_blank\">AMD Radeon HD 5830 1GB<\/a> (reference clocks: 800\/1000)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>Display:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=15004\" target=\"_blank\">24\u201d Gateway FHD2401 LCD<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>Power Supply:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\">Cooler Master UCP (Ultimate Circuit Protection) 1100W*<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"149\"><strong>Chassis:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"398\" valign=\"top\"><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=13135\" target=\"_blank\">CM Storm Sniper \u2013 Black Edition \u2013 Mesh Version<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><em>* \u2013 supplied by Cooler Master.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> <\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Software<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>AMD Catalyst 10.11 and 10.12; highest quality mip-mapping set in the driver, Catalyst AI set to \u201cStandard\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate<\/li>\n<li>All games are patched to their latest versions.<\/li>\n<li>vsync is off in the control panel and is never set in-game.<\/li>\n<li>4xAA enabled in all games; all in-game settings for all games at \u201cmaximum\u201d or \u201cultra\u201d with 16xAF always applied<\/li>\n<li>All results show average frame rates except as noted.<\/li>\n<li>Highest quality sound (stereo) used in all games.<\/li>\n<li>Windows 7, all DX10 titles were run under DX10 render paths<\/li>\n<li>Windows 7, all DX11 titles were run under DX11 render paths<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The Benchmarks<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Call of Juarez<\/li>\n<li>Crysis<\/li>\n<li>Far Cry 2<\/li>\n<li>Dirt 2<\/li>\n<li>Lost Planet 2<\/li>\n<li>Just Cause 2<\/li>\n<li>Resident Evil 5<\/li>\n<li>World in Conflict<\/li>\n<li>S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat<\/li>\n<li>BattleForge<\/li>\n<li>Mafia II<\/li>\n<li>Heaven 2.1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--nextpage--><!--pagetitle:Benchmarks and Conclusion--><\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n google_ad_client = \"pub-7021221536180758\"; \/* 468x60, created 11\/11\/09 *\/ google_ad_slot = \"1949837292\"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60;\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"http:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\n<\/script><\/p>\n<h4><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Benchmarks and Conclusion<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Here are the charts comparing performance across the AMD Radeon drivers released in the last two months, 10.11 and 10.12. The benchmarks are self explanatory with average frame rates (or scores) compared directly to each other. Wins are in red and if there is a tie, both results are coloured.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px;\" title=\"Catalyst 10-12 Performance Analysis Chart\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/Catalyst1012PerformanceAnalysisChart.png?resize=411%2C1024\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Catalyst 10-12 Performance Analysis Chart\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>At this point, I would conclude that the AMD Catalyst 10.12 driver has brought some performance improvements. However, it also lost to the 10.11 driver set on a few occasions. My verdict here is neutral and my recommendation is to use whichever driver gives better performance for the games that you play. There is no clear-cut victory here.<\/p>\n<p>Also to keep in mind is the new Catalyst Control Center interface. If you prefer it, then you will either have to use 10.12 or wait for 11.1 driver set to also <em>(maybe)<\/em> cash in on some performance gains as well.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/CatalystControlCenterNewLook.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: 0px;\" title=\"Catalyst Control Center - New Look\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/CatalystControlCenterNewLook_thumb.png?resize=489%2C480\" border=\"0\" alt=\"Catalyst Control Center - New Look\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Catalyst 10.11 was the first driver set to carry the AMD name and as such was officially called the AMD Catalyst 10.11 drivers. The new splash screen is shown below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/AMDCatalystTechnology.png\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"AMD Catalyst Technology\" src=\"http:\/\/i1.wp.com\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/12\/AMDCatalystTechnology_thumb.png?resize=300%2C158\" border=\"0\" alt=\"AMD Catalyst Technology\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Now the AMD Catalyst 10.12 is the first to carry the new Catalyst Control Center (CCC) interface. It seems that AMD has made sure to overhaul their driver software so as to start fresh in 2011.<\/p>\n<p>Without a widespread representation, it is important for me to say that this performance improvement should continue across the rest of the 5000 series, given that the HD 5830 is a good basis on which to draw such a conclusion. The results can also stand in for the 6000 series cards due to the similarity in performance with that of their 5000 series counterparts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bottom Line:<\/strong> Catalyst 10.11 and 10.12 trade blows in the performance department. Catalyst 10.12 definitely wins though in the Graphical User Interface (GUI) segment. I chose to go with Catalyst 10.12.<\/p>\n<p>Check back later this month as we look to analyze the performance of Catalyst 11.1 versus the 10.12 drivers. Until then, happy gaming!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Leon Hyman<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><em>Senior Editor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Please join us in our <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/abt\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\">Forums<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Become a Fan on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/AlienBabelTech\/123268467142\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/AlienBabelTech\/123268467142', 'Facebook']);\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Follow us on <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/alienbabeltech\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/twitter.com\/alienbabeltech', 'Twitter']);\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For the latest updates from ABT, please <a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?feed=rss2\" target=\"_blank\">join our RSS News Feed<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Join our Distributed Computing teams<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Folding@Home &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech &#8211; 164304<\/li>\n<li>MilkyWay@Home &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech &#8211; 3090<\/li>\n<li>SETI@Home &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech &#8211; 138705<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.worldcommunitygrid.org\/reg\/viewRegister.do?teamID=3P39R3SRV1\" onclick=\"_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'outbound-article', 'http:\/\/www.worldcommunitygrid.org\/reg\/viewRegister.do?teamID=3P39R3SRV1', 'World Community Grid &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech']);\" target=\"_blank\">World Community Grid &#8211; Team AlienBabelTech<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=23351\"><img decoding=\"async\" align=top title=\"Author: Leon Hyman\" src=\"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/01\/Article-Image4.png\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":23353,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2533,7814],"tags":[4325,4342,4397,3336,4396,72,73,147],"class_list":["post-23351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abt-news","category-articles","tag-10-11","tag-10-12","tag-11-1","tag-5000-series","tag-6000-series","tag-amd","tag-ati","tag-catalyst"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23351","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23351"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23351\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23353"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}