Currently using Nvidia but looking to switch to AMD

[Mem]

Good for you, I didnt have your experience.

I'm running two AMD/ATi cards with CCC (different cards and computers) and as I've already stated never had CCC issues (over 3 years use on them with monthly driver updates).

 

[Mem]

80-100mb when it is open.

Running on the background it varies between 3-30mb.

What's 100mb nowadays? nothing..I would say if you look at install size Nvidia has the larger package around 188mb,CCC full package is around 109mb for download.


My Nvidia memory usage is around 40k at the moment when opened.

 

[exar333]

i used ati for years, until about 1yr ago, and i must admit switching from ati(now amd) to nvidia was i smart choice for me at least from gaming standpoint, 5xxx series from amd did have a lot of driver issues, i hear its better with 6xxx series, but amd still doesnt have an option for creating individual profiles for games/programs, which is very useful for games, especially using nvidia inspector, which gives you even more options than control panel does when it comes to profile customizing

???

 

[nitromullet]

One advantage of AMD is the monthly driver update schedule. With Nvidia you never know, there could be a new driver in 4 weeks, or 4 months...

I dunno, I actually find AMD's way of doing things more confusing. NVIDIA generally releases a beta or WHQL driver around the launch of a AAA title to ensure it runs decently on their cards.

AMD indicates they have a monthly release schedule, but this is how it really works (Nov and Dec of this year):

Cat 11.11 gets released
Cat 11.11a hotfix gets released
Cat 11.11b hotfix gets released
CAP (Catalyst Application Profile) gets released
Cat 11.11c hotfix gets released
Cat 11.12 gets released, but doesn't contain all the hotfixes applied to Cat 11.11, and AMD suggests that gamers should be using Cat 12.1 preview.

http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/Catalyst121Previewdriver.aspx

The AMD Catalyst™ 12.1 Preview includes all of the features found in AMD Catalyst™ 11.12 and also includes all of the latest optimizations found in the AMD Catalyst 11.11c performance drivers (AMD Catalyst 11.12 does not include the latest 11.11c optimizations). It is highly recommended that all gamers use the AMD Catalyst 12.1 Preview driver.

So which is easier, looking for the newest WHQL/beta driver from GeForce.com or grabbing the newest driver that doesn't actually contain the latest hotfixes and isn't recommended although it is the driver linked to when you click on "Support & Drivers" on AMD's site?

 

[Munky]

I don't believe the whole "amd drivers are inferior" myth. Don't like CCC hogging 100MB of memory? Ever check how much the modern NV driver and control panel hogs? I'd call it even at this point.

Been using both NV and AMD, but mostly go with AMD because their hardware offers more bang for my buck.

 

[Pulsar]

I bought a new system recently and I went with dual 6950's because they were at the 'sweet spot' for price vs. performance. Let me go through my current annoyances with ATI/AMD

1. As someone mentioned, AMD's driver release system is fucked. They release a driver, then release another that doesn't have the fixes from the first, then release another and add game profiles, but then release yet ANOTHER, tell all the gamers to use it, and don't put out profiles with it.

2. I wouldn't be bitching about #1 if their cards worked without problems. Having a crossfire setup with both cards turned on currently HURTS Skyrim performance. Read that last sentence again. There threads with thousands of posts on gaming websites talking about the hoops required to try to get crossfire working with skyrim and a number of other games. I don't know if the blame should be placed on AMD, or the game developers, but over a month later AMD still hasn't released drivers that actually fix the problem for the biggest game release of the year (yes, they claimed a couple of the 11 series fixed it, but they didn't).

3. 3 screen eyefinity has an issue. There is a timing problem due to AMD not having 3 of the same style outputs on their cards. They have 2 DVI and one displayport. You have to be buy an active displayport cable to use eyefinity (cable not included) and you still won't be happy. People using eyefinity are reporting significant screen tearing. It's a design issue on AMD/ATI's side that they have pseudo acknowledged, and yet they continue to push eyefinity as a viable technology. Of course you don't realize there's a problem until after you buy it and set it up, because you don't know to start searching for 'screen tearing' until you see the issue.

Now, I can't speak to Nvidia - I haven't used 'em in a long time. However, ATI's advertising a broken piece of technology in eyefinity and their seeming inability to scale crossfire across 2 GPU's in the biggest game release of the year have soured my purchase a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Ba1wE_ibw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saG2mr6qM_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_898vDaupY&feature=related


The fact that I can get 40 FPS in Skyrim on ultra with a single 6950 in eyefinity mode means I can still play without much of an issue, but there's always that nagging irritated feeling that I've got a $200+ video card sitting in my machine completely unused because the company that sold it to me wasn't up front about their issue.... frustrating.

I'd say that's the price of early adoption, except crossfire has been around for quite a while. The fact that the bugs still aren't out of it is annoying as hell.

 

[tweakboy]

I have used Nvidia for all my computer builds over the years. But lately, I've been thinking about trying an AMD card, however, I'm clueless about what to expect from them. The only thing Ive really heard point blank are that AMD drivers are not on par with Nvidia.

I'm kind of interested in replacing my current card with a 7950/7970 or if i find a deal maybe a 6970.

Enjoy the bugs, enjoy the CCC ,,, enjoy the drivers being sucky!!! enjoy!!!
:awe:

 

[GodisanAtheist]

As of right now I own a GTX460 in my primary rig and a HD5770 in my secondary rig, and an 8800GTS in my GF's computer. I've also owned another HD5770 and an HD4850, both of which are now dead. Before that I had two 7900GTs, both of which are dead.

AMD and NVIDIA put out the same quality drivers, if you are a single card user. I have run into some remarkably small fry issues with one set of drivers or another (from both Nvidia and AMD) but I would consider them on par with one another.

 

[Obsoleet]

Enjoy the bugs, enjoy the CCC ,,, enjoy the drivers being sucky!!! enjoy!!!
:awe:

Enjoy that trolling.

I dunno, I actually find AMD's way of doing things more confusing. NVIDIA generally releases a beta or WHQL driver around the launch of a AAA title to ensure it runs decently on their cards.

AMD indicates they have a monthly release schedule, but this is how it really works (Nov and Dec of this year):

Cat 11.11 gets released
Cat 11.11a hotfix gets released
Cat 11.11b hotfix gets released
CAP (Catalyst Application Profile) gets released
Cat 11.11c hotfix gets released
Cat 11.12 gets released, but doesn't contain all the hotfixes applied to Cat 11.11, and AMD suggests that gamers should be using Cat 12.1 preview.

http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/Catalyst121Previewdriver.aspx



So which is easier, looking for the newest WHQL/beta driver from GeForce.com or grabbing the newest driver that doesn't actually contain the latest hotfixes and isn't recommended although it is the driver linked to when you click on "Support & Drivers" on AMD's site?

It's not confusing- just stick with the WHQL releases. That's what I do.

I did the same when I used Nvidia. The average person without a multicard setup or special needs should probably stick to WHQLs.

..Unless you want or need bleeding edge updates, no controversy to see here folks.
I'm on 11.11WHQL now, and am simply waiting for 12.1WHQL since I'm not too interested in updating to 11.12WHQL right now. You nerds.
My life, and the world, goes on.

As of right now I own a GTX460 in my primary rig and a HD5770 in my secondary rig, and an 8800GTS in my GF's computer. I've also owned another HD5770 and an HD4850, both of which are now dead. Before that I had two 7900GTs, both of which are dead.

AMD and NVIDIA put out the same quality drivers, if you are a single card user. I have run into some remarkably small fry issues with one set of drivers or another (from both Nvidia and AMD) but I would consider them on par with one another.

They would be on par if not for the #1 all-time top spot on the Driver Release Hall of Shame, the Nvidia card killing episode. 🙂
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/warning-nvidia-19675-drivers-can-kill-your-graphics-card/7551

 

[nyker96]

I have used Nvidia for all my computer builds over the years. But lately, I've been thinking about trying an AMD card, however, I'm clueless about what to expect from them. The only thing Ive really heard point blank are that AMD drivers are not on par with Nvidia.

I'm kind of interested in replacing my current card with a 7950/7970 or if i find a deal maybe a 6970.

I've been exclusive NV for many years, two years ago got a hd 4850 as a try since I wasn't sure about AMD drivers either, turns out no problems. I now switched to a gtx 460 but after my hd 4850 experience, I'd say I feel no problem buying amd. they both good, just go for the one that fits your needs best.

 

[nitromullet]

It's not confusing- just stick with the WHQL releases. That's what I do.

I did the same when I used Nvidia. The average person without a multicard setup or special needs should probably stick to WHQLs.

..Unless you want or need bleeding edge updates, no controversy to see here folks.
I'm on 11.11WHQL now, and am simply waiting for 12.1WHQL since I'm not too interested in updating to 11.12WHQL right now. You nerds.
My life, and the world, goes on.

So, it's nothing to see when you don't care..? Did your card overheat when NV's drivers borked the fan profile on non-reference cards? No? Mine, either... That doesn't mean it didn't happen or that is doesn't matter. It was a big deal and certainly worth mentioning, but so is acknowledging AMD's wonky driver releases.

I'm currently playing Skyrim on a single 6950 at 2560x1440. While I'm quite pleased with the card (previous GTX 580 user), it's about at its limit with Skyrim at my native res. I actually notice the slight improvement in performance the 12.1 preview drivers offer.

I also agree that one should not have to be a driver nerd, but when the the latest driver linked to on the Support and Drivers page isn't even the driver that AMD themselves recommend as the best driver for gamers, it sort of makes you have to be nerd.

Hell, the only reason I know the 12.1 preview exists (the recommended driver) is because I saw this this article on AT http://www.anandtech.com/show/5223/...stom-application-profiles-hd3d-crossfire-more Furthermore, the only reason I know it's the recommended driver, and the latest WHQL driver doesn't have the hotfixes I want to get the most out of my card is because I'm kind of a video card nerd and I wanted to check out the profiles. Basically, the situation that AMD has going on now is that unless you are a nerd you probably aren't even aware of the driver they actually recommend you use...

It's not a comment on the drivers themselves. It's a comment on poor execution of a supposed "monthly driver update" that is meant to simplify things, but in reality just has the effect of making it unclear which driver has the latest optimizations and hotfixes, which some of us want.

 

[Saico]

http://twitter.com/CatalystCreator

Follow this hardworking guy if you have trouble understanding AMD drivers page.

 

[Gikaseixas]

drivers quality are not a factor in buying decisions these days. If it is you're biased towards one of the sides. I use both and i had SLI and CF in the past, no problems to report. Nvidia and AMD are doing excellent work given that they're pushing very hard to provide the end user with that little extra performance every now and then some more.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

They would be on par if not for the #1 all-time top spot on the Driver Release Hall of Shame, the Nvidia card killing episode. 🙂
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/warning-nvidia-19675-drivers-can-kill-your-graphics-card/7551

-I agree with the sentiment about sticking with WHQL releases, seriously people do have a bad habit of getting all anal-retentive about driver updates.

However, while that videocard-killed-by-driver thing certainly sucks, my 8800GTS 320Mb is still chugging along after being subjected to just about every NV WHQL driver release out there. From my own experience and the experience of many others, both driver sets are equally mundane and uneventful things.

 

[Majcric]

Thanks Guys/Gals for all your input. I read through all the post and am considering my first AMD card when the next price fluctuation happens.

Also, a little curious how Nvidia's new WHQL driver in January works with their Fermi cards. then i'll be ready to make the switch.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I've owned 6 nvidia cards and 1 AMD card. I have had zero driver issues with either that I couldn't solve with google and not being stupid.

 

[amenx]

Stick to a single card and you'll generally have no probs with drivers. Go SLI/CF and you may experience far more issues. Also if you have a single card, completely ignore the opinions of those with SLI/CF re drivers, their experiences generally will not apply to you. Personally I will never go SLI/CF due to this, aside from the fact that next years single card may equal or outperform todays SLI/CF cards.

 

[blanketyblank]

I used NV cards for a while 6200, 6600, 7600, 8800, 9800 before switching to ATI with the 4850. Can't say I'm unhappy. I've sort of wanted to try out one of the new NV cards, but lack of support for 3 displays is a big reason why I can't. My mobo only has one card slot, and I have 2 monitors + a TV (and a 20" monitor I'd like to connect but ran out of ports for).