CATALYST Windows XP 64-Bit Edition - BETA Driver Download

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I want it on different chipsets. Someone here mentioned that the VIA drivers don't allow something that slows it down.

Yes, testing the VIA and Nvidia (preferrably nForce3 250) chipsets would be nice.

 

[DerekWilson]

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I want it on different chipsets. Someone here mentioned that the VIA drivers don't allow something that slows it down.

Yes, testing the VIA and Nvidia (preferrably nForce3 250) chipsets would be nice.

I'm not sure what you guys mean by "don't allow something that slows it down" ... isn't speed good? The goal of this article is graphics performance not chipset performance, but as things mature we will constantly be evaluating chipset articles under 64 bit windows (and other operating systems).

And ViRGE, you are right about the major benefit coming in when apps are recompiled for 64 bit environments, but we should still see application speed up due to the fact that 1) the operating system has greater resources available to it through added registers and other x86-64 ISA enhancements, and 2) the driver benefits from being compiled for a 64bit target (and thus also benefits from the additional power of the architecture) ...

These factors should have an impact on overall performance, and this is what we are interested in right now. Recompiling apps for 64bits gives the application more CPU headroom, but that's not the whole story ... I'm not going to spoil the rest of the article yet, but its an interesting topic to say the least. ;-)

BTW: I'll be using a either a FIC K8T800 or a Soyo Dragon NF3 board -- I don't have an NF3 250 board yet... which would you guys prefer?

 

[MDE]

What Mark meant was that the "feature" being disabled slows the system. I'd rather the K8T800 board as my laptop has the same chipset.

 

[DerekWilson]

k8t800 it is (I've already got the os installed there, and I've got one vote for it)

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: DerekWilson

Originally posted by: MDE

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I want it on different chipsets. Someone here mentioned that the VIA drivers don't allow something that slows it down.

Yes, testing the VIA and Nvidia (preferrably nForce3 250) chipsets would be nice.

I'm not sure what you guys mean by "don't allow something that slows it down" ... isn't speed good? The goal of this article is graphics performance not chipset performance, but as things mature we will constantly be evaluating chipset articles under 64 bit windows (and other operating systems).

And ViRGE, you are right about the major benefit coming in when apps are recompiled for 64 bit environments, but we should still see application speed up due to the fact that 1) the operating system has greater resources available to it through added registers and other x86-64 ISA enhancements, and 2) the driver benefits from being compiled for a 64bit target (and thus also benefits from the additional power of the architecture) ...

These factors should have an impact on overall performance, and this is what we are interested in right now. Recompiling apps for 64bits gives the application more CPU headroom, but that's not the whole story ... I'm not going to spoil the rest of the article yet, but its an interesting topic to say the least. ;-)

BTW: I'll be using a either a FIC K8T800 or a Soyo Dragon NF3 board -- I don't have an NF3 250 board yet... which would you guys prefer?

Derek, I believe what they mean is that the VIA 64bit drivers are not fine-tuned yet, and as a result possible "don't allow" certain functions, which as a result "slows it down."

As for more things to run, you really have most of your bases covered graphics/game wise, so the only thing I can think of are really more platform things, such as virus scans/AdAware, file copying, maybe an emulator or 2(both playstation, and maybe something MAME), maybe even some audio stuff too, such as iTunes(which wouldn't be 64bit optimized).

Edit: Oh, and a vote for the NF3. I know you don't have a NF3-250, but an NF3-150 should be close enough

 

[DerekWilson]

much problems with the via board this past evening (yes, i'm still up at ~5:15 EDT) ... I'm gonna admit defeat and move on to the nf3 150 after my 3 or 4 hour nap.

and i like the emu idea ... i'll see if i can't get something nice up and running in that arena (provided I can get this thing to work) ...

the specific problem i had with the via board is that attempting to install the catalyst drivers reboots the system and doesn't actually install the drivers ... I can get the drivers installed in safemode, but once they are loaded up I get an infinite reboot loop with no hope of getting into a non-safemode windows ...

i'm really tired, and the relnotes mentioned something about 64bit agp drivers, but i'm not sure if the via agp drivers MS installs by default (i can't get the 64bit via drivers to install on either my fic or msi k8t800 boards) are 64bit or not ... meh.

i'll let you guys know how the NF3 is coming along after i wake up and get it going on.

 

[DerekWilson]

OK ... so ... no go on the NF3 board either ... same issue as the k8t800.

Wes put some time in on it on his end as well and had the same problems ... its time to give ATI a few phone calls. There go my plans for a sunday article :-/

 

[ViRGE]

Remember Derek, your motivation here is frustration and anger; make sure you put the fear of god(or Anand) in to ATI.

 

[DerekWilson]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
Remember Derek, your motivation here is frustration and anger;

hmm ... I've never been good at the whole "how to get something out of someone" kind of thing. Hopefully the fact that its PRs job to help us write articles about their stuff is enough motivation for them to help me out

... put the fear of god(or Anand) in to...

redundant? heh .. sorry couldn't resist. One day I'll quit with the semialmostsorta religeous humor, I promise.

 

[ViRGE]

Well, did you have any luck with ATI, Derek?