AMD Drivers vs ASUS Driver

[acp1821]

So I have an ASUS Radeon R9 290 (DC2OC-4GD5) and they haven't put out any driver updates in quite some time. However, AMD just put out the Catalyst Omega about 3 weeks back. Now I've been using the ASUS driver since my build about 2-3 months ago and have experience few issues but some issues nonetheless. My question is, in your experience am I not getting the most out of my card by not using the latest AMD drivers or am I asking for bugs by deviating from ASUS' drivers?

This is my first gaming PC and I'm really new to all this so any and all input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sakkura]

There are no brand-specific drivers for desktop graphics cards. Just use the AMD one, no need to wait for Asus to "rebrand" an AMD driver.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

use the amd driver. the asus driver is the same its just outdated. If your experiencing issues they may be solved by a new driver.

 

[Pinhedd]

There are no brand-specific drivers for desktop graphics cards. Just use the AMD one, no need to wait for Asus to "rebrand" an AMD driver.

+1

Only laptop drivers are OEM-specific, and even that's mostly a thing of the past. All that Asus has done is pull in the AMD drivers and slap their logo / installer on top of it.

 

[acp1821]

Thanks for the responses everyone. My only computer gaming experience is extremely dated and it was with a laptop. I was told back then to stick with the OEM drivers, so I wasn't sure if a) that really applied to desktop graphics cards or b) if the info was dated. You guys have been a great help.

I chose Sakkura as best solution cause he answered first if only by a minute, haha. Thanks again everyone.

 

[acp1821]

Well I tried updating to omega and got a black screen for my troubles. I'm not even sure what to do at this point, I'm thinking I'll hook up my monitor via my mobo and scrub the old driver and try a fresh install. Not sure if that'll work, not the fresh install but rather the monitor to mobo connection. Would I have to take my card out or anything for that to work?

I don't know. This whole thing is pretty stressful.

 

[Sakkura]

You may have to take your graphics card out to do that, many motherboards automatically disable the integrated graphics when a graphics card is installed.
Hope you get it figured out. Happy new year.

 

[acp1821]

Thanks for the response and info. I hope that's not the case but either way at least I have a plan haha.

Happy new year to you too.

 

[acp1821]

So just to update the situation, I removed my card connected to my mobo and used the newest DDU to uninstall. After which I tried a fresh install with the same result, a black screen. It doesn't look like I'll be able to get Omega. I just went back to the old Asus rebranded driver until I can try and figure something else out.

Edit: After going back to the old driver I tried updating again and it worked. I don't know what the issue was the first time around or the numerous times when I tried a fresh install. Whatever I guess.

Edit 2: Get the black screen whenever I start a game. Tried Star Wars The Old Republic and Far Cry 4.

 

[Slobo11ify]

So just to update the situation, I removed my card connected to my mobo and used the newest DDU to uninstall. After which I tried a fresh install with the same result, a black screen. It doesn't look like I'll be able to get Omega. I just went back to the old Asus rebranded driver until I can try and figure something else out.

Edit: After going back to the old driver I tried updating again and it worked. I don't know what the issue was the first time around or the numerous times when I tried a fresh install. Whatever I guess.

Edit 2: Get the black screen whenever I start a game. Tried Star Wars The Old Republic and Far Cry 4.

Just keep using ASUS drivers, I bought ASUS R7 250 in November 2014, installed their drivers and have no problems.
My friend has ASUS HD 7750. He had drivers from AMD site and he was getting blue screens while gaming. After he installed drivers from ASUS site, blue screens were gone and he has no problems now.

 

[acp1821]

So just to update the situation, I removed my card connected to my mobo and used the newest DDU to uninstall. After which I tried a fresh install with the same result, a black screen. It doesn't look like I'll be able to get Omega. I just went back to the old Asus rebranded driver until I can try and figure something else out.

Edit: After going back to the old driver I tried updating again and it worked. I don't know what the issue was the first time around or the numerous times when I tried a fresh install. Whatever I guess.

Edit 2: Get the black screen whenever I start a game. Tried Star Wars The Old Republic and Far Cry 4.

Just keep using ASUS drivers, I bought ASUS R7 250 in November 2014, installed their drivers and have no problems.
My friend has ASUS HD 7750. He had drivers from AMD site and he was getting blue screens while gaming. After he installed drivers from ASUS site, blue screens were gone and he has no problems now.

Problem is you can't get the most out of your card when you use those outdated drivers.

Long story short, I contacted ASUS and via email they had me trouble shoot (ports, cables, PCIe slots, mobos etc) and when all that lead to absolutely nothing I sent the card in for repair. It was returned a week later and still didn't work. At this point I was pretty livid seeing as though not only was the issue not resolved but the fan was actually rattling. When I contacted them again they had me send the card in and they shipped me a new one. That was back in January actually. I've since updated drivers, twice in fact, with no issues.