Driver Heaven member Neon Cowboy Final Results (Cat 3.8s)

[1ManArmY]

Issue of Catalyst 3.8 overheating rumours investigated

Final Results

Room Temperature 25.9C

Omegas based on 3.8.5 (Dell leak)
GPU
Idle 47.1
Full Load 55.6
Memory*
Idle 40.9
Full Load 52.1


Official Cat. 3.8?s
Idle 40.9
Full Load 46.3

Memory*
Idle 40.9
Full Load 52.1


Official Cat. 3.7?s
Idle 41.5
Full Load 47.6

Memory*
Idle 40.9
Full Load 52.1

Summary

The drivers based on the dell 3.8.5 leaked betas were the hottest. Closely followed by the cat 3.7?s and finally the cat 3.8?s were the coolest. The results were surprising to me to say the least.

Update

After some suggestions I went back through and checked the memory temps. This time also with the memory nudged up to 350 MHz* from stock to appease the over-clockers here. I was also surprised to get the exact same readings in each driver.

 

[ginfest]

Saw that, nice in-depth testing. Looks like the Cats 3.8 are OK and they're working fine here, no obvious temp increases. I know people are having problems but based on the above there has to be some other cause.


Mike G

 

[1ManArmY]

I would agree, I have been running the cat 3.8 since 10 OCT 03. I gamed for over 10 hours at a LAN party on the 11 OCT with no issues whatsoever. MOHAA Breakthrough, Ravensheild, BF 1942 SW and Desert Combat. Tried to play Halo but dupe CD key's was an issue, now I understand the workaround is in the registry.

 

[jim1976]

🙂 to hear these news.
I really hope all these are just fast spreading rumours

 

[MDE]

Were these temps on a 9800 Pro?

 

[jiffylube1024]

Very nice work 1ManArmy.

I just upgraded to a case with very good airflow so I feel pretty safe either way. Good to see that the "official" ATI Cat's are not giving off any heat.

 

[1ManArmY]

Neon Cowboy tested a ATI 9800 PRO, it's odd though that Catalyst Maker's did admit that there was a slight degree jump but nowhere near the 10 degrees reported when upgrading from cat 3.7 to 3.8 while benching Mother Nature.