Question What do you really get with older video card & latest Radeon drivers?

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

We have an older RX 550 video card, which was about the highest wattage that our little low profile system could support. We play mostly casual games, with a very few games with 3D gaming.

Recently, my son downloaded updated software for his 3D printer, direct from the manufacturer. The next day, I start to see popups on the screen about the Radeon driver being out of date.
Coincidence? Perhaps.

Anyway, I haven't updated the drivers in at least 2 years. It is on a Windows 10 Home 64 bit machine. This particular machine will be replaced soon, because I'm in the process of putting together a Ryzen 5600G
based system with Windows 11. However, we do have a second system that my older son plays games on, and which we'll probably keep using for another year before replacing.

So, my question: Does upgrading from an older version of Radon drivers to the latest version really give you much of any benefits? If so, what are they typically?

 

[igor_kavinski]

Better overlay, streaming, possibly 3D performance benefits. You may even be able to extract 5 to 10% better performance out of it through OC with the Adrenaline control panel.

 

[Stuka87]

Newer drivers almost always have performance improvements over older drivers. Now, its quite possible you won't play the games that these newer drivers would improve.

Also, unless you have manually disabled it, its unlikely you are running drivers from two years ago because Windows Update will automatically upgrade the video drivers to the latest WHQL. So it would be worth looking at what drivers are actually installed.

 

[tcsenter]

Recently, my son downloaded updated software for his 3D printer, direct from the manufacturer. The next day, I start to see popups on the screen about the Radeon driver being out of date.

Popups from where/what notifying app? Wondering because you said "my son downloaded updated software" and "started to see popups" about updating other things sounded similar to one of those usually-bogus 'driver updater' apps that get bundled or offered for download.

 

[Stuka87]

Popups from where/what notifying app? Wondering because you said "my son downloaded updated software" and "started to see popups" about updating other things sounded similar to one of those usually-bogus 'driver updater' apps that get bundled or offered for download.

Very good point. Quite possible he installed something with malicious software embedded in it. I assumed the 3d printer software came from a verified developer for the printer.

 

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

Popups went away after I installed the latest Radeon drivers, so I don't think it was malicious. Printer is an Anycubic Mega Zero. But yes, I've been getting after him for installing mods and other things on his own. My Dad keeps installing "weather forecast" software on his computer/browser, and his system gets bogged down each time.