Updated Drivers = lower GPU performance

[Ragnar Weirwood]

CPU AMD 8350

GPU AMD r280x

OS Windows 8.1 (all updated)


Story..

Had 13.12 (had no issues wanted to update to update) I downloaded the beta 14.6 (didn't uninstall anything like I normally do just do a install over). When it installed and restarted (it loaded raptor thing) my keyboard and mouse wasn't working. I think had to hard reset my PC with button.

On reboot all worked fine, drivers were installed but my graphics were noticeably less then before. For example in World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14, I instantly noticed a lot of jaggies every where.

GPU everything set to default like normal.

I "roll back" my drivers to 13.12 ( it works) BUT graphics remain the same, less quality in anti-alias (FPS stayed the same normal range).

Recently I did a complete uninstall of my AMD drivers (express) and delete all the folders associated with c:/amd (had all types of stuff in there from old versions) did a real complete install of the latest 14.4 drivers.

All is running fine, but the jaggies are still noticeable. I've had to increase in game multisampling to be able to play the games.


Is there ANY reason WHY I would be experiencing this even after a clean install of the drivers?

I feel like there is something up beyond the drivers, like it's a resolution thing... I have everything set to 1080p

It's annoying i wanted to update but dealing with this..

Any ideas?


I had someone tell me that maybe, the new drivers are made to let the GPU run cooler? and that is why I have to now turn multisampling higher?

really?

 

[Ragnar Weirwood]

Also, I thought of restoring my PC to a point before I did this, but it only goes back point I did the last restore point which is still after I did the first update /sadface

 

[nikoli707]

http://www.wagnardmobile.com/DDU/

run that program to properly clean out all the crap amd leaves behind with their video installers/uninstallers. then reinstall whatever driver version you need. you shouldn't be having any problems with their latest beta driver on a single 280x.

 

[Ragnar Weirwood]

http://www.wagnardmobile.com/DDU/

run that program to properly clean out all the crap amd leaves behind with their video installers/uninstallers. then reinstall whatever driver version you need. you shouldn't be having any problems with their latest beta driver on a single 280x.

So should I do the express uninstall by windows like normal, then use that program? or should I just use that program straight up?

 

[Ragnar Weirwood]

You said "clean up what uninstaller leave behind" so I'll use that after I do the express uninstall.


It's funny I was so nervous about doing the express uninstall and such and now I'm gonna end up doing the real deal..

 

[Ragnar Weirwood]

Since I'm doing this, do you think that I should go back to 13.12? or stick with 14.4? What is your opinion (anyone's opinion)? I'm tempted to just download and install 13.12

 

[nikoli707]

no... you dont need to use the amd uninstaller... the display driver program will do all that for you.

as far as which driver. im dont use amd drivers anymore but i would imagine for the 280x(7970)(full 2048 core tahiti chip)... the drivers should be pretty well matured for your card. unless there is a new game profile in the driver released since that you actually play, you likely not to see any benefit of 13.12 vs 14.7. i personally had no driver issues with my old 7950(r9-280) for the year i had it.... was very happy with its performance and i always upgraded to the latest drivers... and ran unigine/3dmark benchmarks to make sure my numbers were consistent, which they were. if it were me... i would just use the latest beta which is 14.7.