Author Topic: Omega vs ATI Drivers??? (Read 312 times)

Max · « **on:** July 10, 2006, 11:57:30 AM »

My Radeon Mobilty 9600 (64 megs) is currently running Omega 3.8.205 drivers. No probelms to speak of, just wanted a few opinions on the + or - of Omega vs ATI drivers.

Thanks

Hajo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2006, 03:06:19 PM »

Maxie.....I used Omega Drivers several times...and now I only use Catalyst and I'll give you my reasons.

1.) Sometimes people switch vid drivers needlessly. As a matter of fact most times they switch needlessly. Most updated drivers are usually patches for games that did not run well with that driver. Read the read me on the updated driver before installing. Usually just patches.

2.) Used NVidia and ATI Drivers. Used driver cleaner to uninstall drivers before installing Omegas. My system got so pooched for all the different versions of vid drivers I had on the hard drive I had to reformat and begin again. Since I'm using an ATI card I use Catalyst Drivers exclusively.

3.) Reasons to switch drivers. New driver issued with your new vid card. It doesn't perform well. Backing up on the version most time helps. Read the readme file on the updated driver. If it just patches specific games such as Quake, BF2 etc. in most cases it won't help you. I said most. There is a very very tiny chance it will help you. But if you're just switching to boost frame rates check the refresh rate of your monitor first. If you CAN! And I mean can....the refresh rates your monitor can support will be in a drop down menu. DO NOT FORCE a refresh rate your monitor can not support. After raising your refresh rate check your framerate. It should be higher.

4.) A reason not to. Your system is working fine. Your framerate matches your refresh rate. For instance your refresh rate is set to a max of 85. You are getting a framerate of 85. You think using a newer driver will boost your framerate. It will not because framerates are refresh (monitor) bound.

Ghosth · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2006, 07:26:42 AM »

I've run for years with the omega drivers. Generally speaking I installed them once & let them be. IE like hajo said no needless jumping around with drivers.

Pro's for the omega's in my book.

A Designed to install over original ATI drivers with no real fuss.
B Easier to install just the basic driver with out all the hydrovision, control panels, players, etc added garbage that ATI sticks you with.

Granted you can still do it with the ATI's, but IMO the omega's made it easier.

So, if you built your machine a year ago, and you want to try updateing video drivers. And cut down on the system overhead load, omega's are IMO a good choice.

If your installing every new driver that comes out in hopes of fixing something, or changing something. I'm with hajo, chances are its not going to help.
Better to go back & figure out whats actually wrong. IE heat issues, poor fan, etc.

Max · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2006, 09:31:48 AM »

Ghosth - Hajo .......

Thanks for the solid feedback.

Nope, not having any issues with my vid card but I haven't updated thr drivers in over a year. Both Omega and ATI drivers seem to have loyal fans. Just wanted to hear what differences, if any, distinguish the two.

I'm with you both - if it aint broke; don't fix it