ATI cannot make working video drivers

[Ket]

I've read the entire thread, I even read your GTX 460 review where you mentioned this issue so I don't need your advice. I was simply pointing out an issue which seems that most others fail to mention when they're praising Nvidia and flaming ATI.

Nvidia's 2D image quality is FAR more of an issue to me than ATI's loss of a few FPS in 3D from one driver release to the next or a broken V-sync issue in one game here or there. The bottom line is that I can live with ATI's mistakes more than I can live with Nvidia's since I spend MUCH more time in 2D mode on the internet or at my desktop working.

I've used video cards from both manufacturers so I'm not brand loyal, but I'm always happier when I switch back from Nvidia to ATI due to the 2D image quality. For the 10% of time I spend gaming, I can excuse an anomaly here and there in a particular game compared to dealing with fuzzy text, low gamma, and washed out colors using Nvidia's cards the other 90% of the time I'm using my PC.

To each his own though...just my preference.

You can always properly set your monitor up via your actual monitor settings, not driver panels. If you did, you can likely clear those issues right up by adjusting your monitors sharpness levels slightly. Since I done this on my monitor, text is actually slightly crisper than with my ATI card. Colour and gamma has never been a problem for me because I always properly adjust my monitor settings and don't use the crap presets.

[Blkout]

You can always properly set your monitor up via your actual monitor settings, not driver panels. If you did, you can likely clear those issues right up by adjusting your monitors sharpness levels slightly. Since I done this on my monitor, text is actually slightly crisper than with my ATI card. Colour and gamma has never been a problem for me because I always properly adjust my monitor settings and don't use the crap presets.

My Dell 2405 doesn't have a sharpness adjustment, or at least it doesn't on the DVI input, I haven't used the D-sub input. That being said, you shouldn't have to change your monitor settings to adjust for a video card that clearly has an issue by one manufacturer for years now. Its great if you make a work-around to the problem, but what if someone doesn't have sharpness adjustments? And before you go bashing my monitor, the Dell 2405 was in the cream of the crop when released and is still a great monitor by today's standards.

[SiliconDoc]

You can always properly set your monitor up via your actual monitor settings, not driver panels. If you did, you can likely clear those issues right up by adjusting your monitors sharpness levels slightly. Since I done this on my monitor, text is actually slightly crisper than with my ATI card. Colour and gamma has never been a problem for me because I always properly adjust my monitor settings and don't use the crap presets.

Exactly correct and is exactly what I was explaining to my friend when I read the less than convincing "links" that were provided concerning the 2d comparison statements by the other commenter.

I would like to say this though: A long time ago, there was an ATI Mach 32 pci videocard with I believe 512 ram on it that had some absolutely BEAUTIFUL 2D rendering, and a business artist and friend of mine wound up with it and when we tried to replace it we wound up pulling the alternate card ( also an ATI ) and putting that wonderful mach32 back in.
I also saw some impressive Matrox (pci) solutions, that nowadays are really too slow. Way back then I didn't see Nvidia(3dfx) cards that displayed in 2D as well.
Since the alternate ATI card was not up to snuff, I suppose there could be some sort of exceptions around still - not sure what those would be and manufacturing seems to be much more standardized, but I suppose it is possible.

[blindbox]

I have one simple question. Are you the same SiliconDoc that has been trolling anandtech's ATI reviews?

He got banned.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2849/?all=true

Some fanboyism example.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2745/?all=true

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2689/?all=true

[TheVoid]

I have one simple question. Are you the same SiliconDoc that has been trolling anandtech's ATI reviews?

He got banned.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2849/?all=true

Some fanboyism example.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2745/?all=true

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2689/?all=true

How is any of that relevant? It sure doesnt look like he is "trolling" here.

I don't know how anyone can "be productive" in this thread other than "helping fix" someone else's driver problems or agreeing with the thread title or posting their own issues ( sorry that's all "productive" if you ask me), but it is my opinion that people should be allowed to state their experiences and opinions and not constantly be afraid someone will scream they are spamming or trolling - just because it doesn't fit the "both companies are equal period" mold.

Ever stop to think that he might have a point? That, just maybe, you are falling into the same fanboy mode which he describes?

Trying to discredit someone who posts a valid argument in this manner is disgusting and should be a bannable offense. It is off topic and adds nothing to the discussion.

Back on topic, I have had my share of ATi driver problems (from the 9800pro, x800xt, x1900gt, 3650, and others) but I don't post about them since I switched to nvidia about 2 years ago. Some of these included random crashes in Flight Simulator 9, mouse movement causing click noise on speakers, slow and buggy openGL implementation, LOADS of problems with the All In Wonder part of my x800xt.

For the record, ALL of my previous ATi cards (except the 3650) are DEAD, even after running at STOCK SETTINGS their whole life. NONE of my nvidia cards are dead, even after voltmodding and other tweaks. (3 8800gts 512s, 1 8800gts 320, 7800gtx, 6600gt, gt240, 7600gs) ALL of my nvidia cards work with THE SAME DRIVER and have since the gt240 release driver (in other words, ALWAYS!)

I suppose I should throw the 3650 in my Skulltrail with a fresh Windows and see if the lasest drivers fix anything.

You AMD/ATi supporters need to calm down, step back, and take a fresh look at these things. Neither company is perfect. Both have PROFIT as objective #1, as ALL COMPANIES ARE SUPPOSED TO! But from a consumer standpoint, the important thing is to have your hardware work properly, which requires drivers to also work properly. Throwing muddy poop between fanboy camps accomplishes nothing, which is slightly less than the "it works fine for me" posts accomplish. SO SUCK IT UP AND HELP EACH OTHER, BEFORE YOU ALL LOSE!

[PaganII]

Just because someone does not follow manufacturers instructions for installing a driver, refuses to learn anything new, uses archaic methods handed down by previous "gurus" and gets poor results is no reason to bash a company. I have used nvidia since my 1st computer up until the 4870 was released. You want to learn something? Follow the manufacturer's directions!

[blindbox]

How is any of that relevant? It sure doesnt look like he is "trolling" here.

I'm just telling you guys to be wary. Nothing more and nothing less. I saw him in like 10 of anandtech's reviews posting his crap. The one I posted are probably the kinder ones.

[armeniandave]

I'm back to 10.4A drivers AGAIN!

I have tried every version after 10.4A
and all CTD in BFBC2 after a short time.
I have a 4870X2 and 4870 trifire. I'm
absolutely no fan boy on either side and
always buy whatever is best at the time.

These 4870's replaced my Nvidia 9800GX2
because BFBC2 wouldn't max out on my 24"
monitor.

ATI does have some issues with there drivers.
My next card will not be multi GPU and probably
not an ATI or AMD card. I just want to play my
game and not constantly worry about CTD and
long spawn times.

Just my opinion..

[aztec]

I've never had driver issues with my single 4870. Was on Cat 9.2 for a long time and recently installed 10.9. No hitches so I can't complain.