ATI Radeon Windows XP Dev Vs. WHQL Driver Comparison!

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The new version from today is: 6.13.10.6071. Apparently this is the same version as the developer driver leaked a few weeks ago. We have tested the new driver set with 3DMark2001 SE, Codecreatures Benchmark Pro, GLExcess and Aquamark. Read more to check out the results as well as some additional info. Supported Card Models: RADEON 7000 RADEON 7200 RADEON 7000 / RADEON VE Radeon 7000 / Radeon VE RADEON 7500 RADEON 8500/RADEON 8500LE ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 7500 ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500 Driver Details: Driver dated April 11th, 2002 ? WHQL Certified Direct3D core file version: 3288 (same as 3288 in the 6071 developer set) OpenGL core file version: 3064 (same as 3064 in the 6071 developer set) Desktop Version: 6.13.10.3001 General revision number 7.70 Software Tests: DivX Playback: Passed PowerDVD XP Hardware Acceleration: Passed Benchmark Tests 3DMark 2001 Second Edition Light orange: WHQL Release; Dark orange: Developer Release System Details Test Results GLExcess Results Click to enlarge Aquamark: Settings: RESOLUTION: 1024x768x32 FSAA: NONE PIXELSHADER: YES TEXTURE: 24MB 6071 Developer Release: NUM FRAMES: 2253 NUM POLYS: 178293054 MIN POLY/F: 1304 MAX POLY/F: 171767 MIN POLY/S: 3123402 MAX POLY/S: 5470179 MIN FPS: 37.2 MAX FPS: 74.3 AVG FPS: 49.3 6071 WHQL Release: NUM FRAMES: 2253 NUM POLYS: 178289234 MIN POLY/F: 1304 MAX POLY/F: 171769 MIN POLY/S: 3041161 MAX POLY/S: 5724222 MIN FPS: 36.1 MAX FPS: 71.5 AVG FPS: 49.3 Codecreatures Benchmark Pro All tests 1024x768x32; FSAA & Sound disabled 6071 Developer Build 6071 WHQL Build The results back up what was to be expected. The drivers don't differ in performance as the build numbers of the concerned libraries did not change. The only advantage of this driver is the WHQL certification. Remarkable though is that ATI has skipped the whole 605x series (7.69) of drivers regarding an official release. I hope this is no indication that we have reached the end of the line in terms of improving the Radeon drivers. We will see in the future and keep you updated with new comparisons as new drivers become available. You can download the new drivers from ATI or from our server if you want to give them a try. I also would like to add that ATI is now offering a driver feedback form so you can submit any problems you have to ATI and they might have a look at it. Way to go...