Zotac has announced a pair of passive DisplayPort adapters. Both convert the DP signal into two 1080p HDMI outputs. The two versions differ in that they connect to either DP or Mini-DP as their source. Both adapters will retail for $50.
In addition to the 11.7 Driver release, AMD has released a preview of the 11.8 driver. It includes several key updates for gamers and Eyefinity users:
AMD HD3D - Enables support on DisplayPort panels such as the Samsung 750 and 950 series displays.
Eyefinity 5x1 - Includes support for Eyefinity 5x1. Support for 5x1 is considered "beta" by AMD, and has not been included in every driver release. The last driver to include this support was the 10.4 Preview driver.
AMD Catalyst™ driver 11.7 Features
There are few features or fixes specifically for Eyefinity users. Most of the improvements and fixes revolve around Blu-Ray and 3D Blu-Ray playback, and other video playback features. The gaming related fixes are:
AMD's Graphics Core Next Gen architecture is scheduled to appear in products due in Q4, 2011, as both Eric Demers and Rick Bergman confirmed for us. It is likely they will use TSMC's 28nm process, and have a dual architecture split like Northern Islands. If so, then this time Cayman VLIW-4 architecture hits the mainstream, and the next generation architecture debuts in the high end - similar to AMD's deployment of VLIW-4 in the Radeon HD 6000 series.
AMD Catalyst™ driver 11.6b Hotfix Features:
Resolves the following issues:
Blue screen erorrs (BSOD) seen when connecting a HDMI and DisplayPort based display to an AMD Radeon HD graphics product when using AMD Catalyst 11.6
Screen flickering when the system is idle
Mouse pointer corruption found in previous AMD Catalyst releases
AMD today launched the AMD Radeon™ HD 6990M GPU – the world’s fastest single mobile graphics processor – an uncompromising GPU that delivers massive computing power to mobile users. The AMD Radeon HD 6990M GPU was measured to be up to 25% faster than any other announced notebook enthusiast GPU1. Furthermore, hardcore gamers can experience additional gaming performance through AMD CrossFireX™ technology.
Interesting post from Caveman Jim over at Rage3D regarding total power draw from modern (and affordable) IPS monitors plus his Radeon 5830, versus two older 4:3 panels and an older video card:
"We go look it up, and a single 2007FP burns 75W, it's an 16ms Ultrasharp with IPS and old ass backlight. The P2310H burns 22W, and is a TN 5ms panel with dual CCFL. Not even LED backlight. Idle power on the 2007FP is 2W, on the P2310h 0.42W.
AMD & HardOCP are sponsoring an effect in Dallas Texas on July 16th. Come join us for our first WSGF Meet-Up and get sneak peeks at AMD's Bulldozer platform, as well as hands on with Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Hit this forum thread for more details.
This release brought a mix of video playback improvements and performance enhancements. There were several new features:
AMD Steady Video & Image Stabilization for YouTube - Reduces shakiness and instability in videos.
Decode Acceleration of MPEG-4 video - Accelerated processing of MP4 video.
Performance Improvements - Gains of 5% - 10% in Crysis, F1 2010, Far Cry 2, HAWX and Unique OpenGL for Radeon HD 6000 products.
The fine folks over at HardOCP are throwing a party on July 16th. Their GameExperience event is a joint production between HardOCP and AMD. There will be tournaments, raffles, and some hands-on experience with "AMD's next generation unannounced hardware". The event will be in Deep Ellum - Dallas, TX area.
