Nvidia -> ATI What do i need to do?

[BenW]

I ordered my sapphire Radeon 9800 Pro yesterday and its ariving tomorrow, what i want to know is what do i need to get?

I will be doing a frech install of windows, what do i need to download in the way of drivers etc?

The card is a Lite version so will include all the cables but not the software and drivers.

All help apreciated
Ben

[StarkMjolk]

Just go to ati.com and get the newest catalyst drivers. There are better more optimized drivers aswell, but you can change to those later... I'd get the card up and running first.

Nothing else more than usual is needed to get it up and running.

[Paul Adams]

DirectX 9.0b

and the Catalyst drivers (4.5 is the latest verson) from ATI - or the Omega version of the drivers (see sig for link) which are slightly slimlined and allegedly give a better image quality.

[StarkMjolk]

Oops, I forgot... thanks for filling in what I missed Paul

[Stewart]

Well, the offical Cataylst drivers: http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html

Or, if you prefer, the 'optimised' Omega drivers: http://www.omegacorner.com/index_ati.html

If you've overclocking, you may want to check out PowerStrip: http://entechtaiwan.net/util/ps.shtm

And Driver Cleaner might come in handy as well: http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/

[BenW]

is this the right page?

http://ati.com/support/drivers/winxp...=12&submit.y=5

[BenW]

thanks vaul, whats the difference between the omega drivers and the Powerstrip drivers though?

[Stewart]

Powerstrip isn't drivers, its a prog you use to overclock your card. If you are planning to do this, then its the one I used. One of many though.

The difference between the standard Cats and the Omega drivers is detailed on the Omega site. The Omega's are optimised, and come with their own overclocking utility.

[BenW]

i think i will start off with the official ATI drivers from their website

[Stewart]

is this the right page?

http://ati.com/support/drivers/winxp...=12&submit.y=5

If you want to download the Catalyst drivers v4.5 for Windows XP, yes.

[BenW]

thanks

[Ravens Nest]

I'd say use the omega drivers as they allow overclocking and the catalyst's dont. they normally fix problems that the official drivers do not, also the omegas include a nice set of programs with it as well.

1. Rad linker
Allows you to create a shortcut to your games that include settings for AA, AF and overclocking customised for each game!

2. Ati Tool
It test's your videocard's graphic core and memory to see how far it can be overclocked before artifacts start to appear, a lot of people on rage3d forums swear by it for getting the highest overclock you can.

3. Multi Res
Allows you to set the hertz level for each resolution

The only problem with omegas is you have to install the catalyst drivers first then remove the control panel, then install the omega's..

The 4.5 omegas are based on the beta 4.5 drivers which are actually newer than the official catalyst 4.5 drivers, and have fixes for Farcry and Battlefield vietnam included with them

Driver cleaner is also a part of the omega's too.

That's Enough pimping for today, You can get them here.
http://www.omegacorner.com/index_ati.html

[BenW]

thank you!

I can't find a download for rad linker but the omega drivers and ati tool are downloading now, i will finnish they drivers from the ati website off later.

I don't have any need for multi res though i don't think :s

Thanks again
Ben

[Applecrusher]

rad linker and ati tool come in the omega drive package no need to dl the seperately

[oralpain]

Omega drivers definatly have better image quality than the standard CATs. ATiTool is also quite usefull for finding the best rock sold oc. Scan for artifacts with it and if it doesn't have problems after an hour or so, nothing will (nothing that has todo with your oc anyway).