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AMD Software

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This article is about the device driver and utility suite. For other AMD software, see AMD § Software.

AMD Software
Original author(s)ATI Technologies
Developer(s)AMD
Initial release02.1 / June 13, 2002 (22 years ago) (2002-06-13)[1][2]
Stable release
Windows
  • Recommended[a]
    24.6.1[4] / June 27, 2024 (43 days ago) (2024-06-27)

Unified-Linux
24.10.3[5] / June 19, 2024 (51 days ago) (2024-06-19)
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
Linux
Platformx64
TypeDevice driver and management
LicenseFreeware
Websiteamd.com/en/technologies/software

AMD Software (formerly known as Radeon Software) is a device driver and utility software package for AMD's Radeon graphics cards and APUs. Its graphical user interface is built with Qt[6] and is compatible with 64-bit Windows and Linux distributions.

Software bundle

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Functionality

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AMD Software includes the following feature set:

  • Game profile management
  • Overclocking and undervolting
  • Performance monitoring
  • Recording and streaming
  • Captured video and screenshot management
  • Software update notifications
  • Upgrade advisor

Radeon Anti-Lag reduces input latency. It helps when the GPU is bottlenecking the CPU[7] and is supported in DirectX 9, 11, and 12.[8] Radeon Super Resolution is image upscaling technology similar to FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), but it does not have to be customized for specific games. It works on thousands of games, but AMD recommends using FSR when available.[9] Radeon Boost also uses image upscaling to increase performance, but unlike AMD's other technologies, it does this only at certain times, such as when rapidly moving the mouse. This is interpreted as an action-heavy scene where image quality can temporarily be decreased without much noticeable effect.[10] This only works in supported games.[7] HYPR-RX enables Radeon Anti-Lag, Boost, and Super Resolution. In supported games, this is done automatically according to a user's AMD Software settings; otherwise, it requires some configuration in-game. HYPR-RX requires an RDNA3 GPU.[11]

Radeon Chill lowers performance when the AMD drivers detect idle moments in games and can set frame rate caps.[7] Smart Access Memory enables potential performance boosts on systems that use both AMD Ryzen CPUs and Radeon video cards.[7] Radeon Enhanced Sync reduces screen tearing like v-sync, but it avoids capping frame rates at the monitor's refresh rate. This can reduce the input lag associated with v-sync. This is limited to DirectX 9, 10, and 12.[12]

AMD Link allows users to stream content to mobile devices, compatible Smart TVs,[b] and other PCs with Radeon video cards, enabling them to use their PC and game on them remotely. It can be used both locally as well as over the internet. The client requires a free app, which is available via Google Play, Apple App Store, and Amazon Appstore.[14] Support for AMD Link has been axed in AMD Software releases from January 2024 onwards, citing the availability of alternatives and to focus driver development resources elsewhere.[15]

History

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The software was previously known as AMD Radeon Software, AMD Catalyst, and ATI Catalyst. AMD ceased providing 32-bit versions in October 2018.

Supported hardware

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AMD Software is targeted to support all function blocks present on a GPU's or an APU's die. Besides instruction code targeted at rendering, this includes display controllers as well as their SIP blocks for video decoding (Unified Video Decoder (UVD)) and video encoding (Video Coding Engine (VCE)).

The device driver also supports AMD TrueAudio, a SIP block to perform sound-related calculations.

Supported products

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AMD Software supports the following AMD (and ATI-tradition) product lines targeted at rendering:

The following product lines are probably[original research?] not supported by AMD Software, but instead by some other software, which (for example) is OpenGL-certified:

  • AMD FireStream product line for GPGPU in supercomputers and such
  • AMD FireMV product line for multi-monitor setups (deprecated by AMD Eyefinity being available on all consumer products)[citation needed]
  • AMD FirePro product line for professionals who require certified OpenGL support

Multi-monitor support

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Main article: AMD Eyefinity

Starting in Catalyst 14.6 AMD has enabled mixed-resolution support, allowing for a single Eyefinity display group to be created where each monitor runs at a different resolution. The current version may, however, disable any additional display mode and change to a resolution in the one mode available. This feature is made possible through the addition of two new Eyefinity display modes, Fit and Expand, which join the traditional Fill mode. In both Fit and Expand modes, AMD is compensating for the mismatched resolutions by creating a virtual desktop that is of a different resolution from those of the monitors, and then either padding it out or cropping it as necessary.[16]

Before Eyefinity, there was the Windows-only software "HydraVision"[17] (originally acquired from Appian Graphics complete with its development team), a desktop/screen management software mostly providing multi-monitor and virtual-screen management. It has extensive hot-key support.[18]

Video acceleration

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Both of AMD's SIP cores for video acceleration, Video Coding Engine as well as Unified Video Decoder, are supported by AMD Software.

Audio acceleration

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Main article: AMD TrueAudio

Some AMD products contain SIP cores for audio acceleration branded AMD TrueAudio. Support for this audio acceleration DSP co-processor is part of AMD Software.

Under Microsoft Windows the support for AMD TrueAudio is codenamed "ACP" (for audio co-processor) and implemented via "ACP user service" (amdacpusrsvc.exe), a background service that helps manage audio tasks in games.

Under Linux, AMD TrueAudio is codenamed "acp" as well: some code regarding this can be found in the /drivers/gpu/drm/radeon directory of the Linux kernel sources.

Power saving

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Main article: AMD PowerTune

AMD Software includes support for AMD PowerPlay, AMD PowerTune and AMD ZeroCore Power, AMD's set of technologies to reduce energy consumption in their graphics products.[19]

Supported interfaces

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Rendering

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The AMD Software device driver supports multiple rendering interfaces, all designed to give the user-space programs, such as video games or CAD software, access to the corresponding SIP blocks.

Direct3D

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Main article: Direct3D

Direct3D 12 is available for GCN with version 15.7.1 or higher.[20]

Mantle

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Main article: Mantle (API)

Only the Radeon Software releases targeting Microsoft Windows included support for Mantle. In 2019 starting with version 19.5.1 it was officially discontinued, in favor of DirectX 12 and Vulkan (built upon Mantle) raise in popularity.[21] Windows users who still wish to use Mantle would have to use older version of drivers (prior to 19.5.1).[22]

OpenGL

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Main article: OpenGL

OpenGL 4.5 is possible for TeraScale 2 and 3 with Radeon Software Crimson Edition Beta (driver version 15.30 or higher like Crimson Beta 16.2.1).[23][24] OpenCL support will be lost, but it can be recovered by copying the relevant files from a previous package like Radeon Software 15.11.1 Beta. Beta drivers do not support HDCP.

OpenGL 4.5 is available for GCN with version 16.3 or higher.[25]

OpenGL 4.x compliance requires supporting FP64 shaders. These are implemented by emulation on some TeraScale GPUs.

OpenGL 4.6 is supported in AMD Adrenalin 18.4.1 Graphics Driver on Windows 7 SP1, 10 version 1803 (April 2018 update) for AMD Radeon HD 7700+, HD 8500+ and newer. Released April 2018.[26][27]

Vulkan

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Main article: Vulkan (API)

Vulkan 1.0 is available with Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.3.2 or higher for GCN.[28]

Vulkan 1.1 with Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition 18.3.3 or higher.[29]

Vulkan 1.2 with Adrenalin 20.1.2 or higher.[30]

Vulkan 1.3 with Adrenalin 22.1.2 or higher.[31]

Video acceleration

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The AMD Software device driver supports multiple interfaces, all designed to give user-space programs, such as GStreamer or HandBrake software, access to the corresponding SIP blocks.

GPGPU

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Main article: ROCm

ROCm

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ROCm 6.0 was released on February 14, 2024, and supports the RX 7900 XTX, 7900 XT and 7900 GRE, alongside Radeon Pro W7900 and W7800 graphics cards. Ubuntu 22.04 is natively supported. PyTorch and ONNX Runtime can be used on ROCm 6.0.[32]

OpenCL

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Main article: OpenCL

With Catalyst 9.12 support of OpenCL 1.0 was available.[33]

In Catalyst 10.10 OpenCL 1.1 was available.[34]

Catalyst 12.4 Supports OpenCL 1.2.[35]

OpenCL 2.0 driver works since 14.41 for GCN-based Models.[36] This also supports previous OpenCL versions.

TeraScale 2 and 3 chips can use Level 1.2.

Close to Metal

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Main article: Close to Metal

Close to Metal was a low-level API by AMD which was abandoned in favor of OpenCL.

Other

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AMD HD3D stereoscopic 3D API by AMD.

Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA)

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Main article: Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA)

With Catalyst 14.1 HSA is possible.[37] AMD main Processor graphic Units and Radeon graphic Card Units work combined.

AMD GPU Services (AGS)

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AMD Display Library (ADL) SDK

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Operating systems support

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Linux

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See also: AMDgpu (Linux kernel module)

The main AMD GPU software stacks are fully supported on Linux: GPUOpen for graphics, and ROCm for compute. GPUOpen is most often merely a supplement, for software utilities, to the free Mesa software stack that is widely distributed and available by default on most Linux distributions.

AMD strives at packaging its software for Linux on its own, not relying solely on Linux distributions. They do so by using the amdgpu and amdgpu-pro shell scripts, and provide package archives for e.g. apt and rpm.[38]

Microsoft Windows

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Windows support From version Last version Notes
x86 x86-64
Windows 9x 02.1 4.4/6.2 — There were some later releases for these operating systems, up to and including a Windows Me build of Catalyst 6.2 released on Feb 9, 2006.[39]
Windows 2000 02.1 6.5[40]/7.4[41] — Newer Catalyst versions up to 7.4 will work in 2000 unofficially without any modification; later versions may need .inf file editing
Windows XP 02.1 14.4 Driver updates and support stopped at AMD Catalyst 14.4 for video cards with support up to DirectX 11 on Hardware, and 10.2 for DirectX 9.0c cards.[citation needed]
Windows Vista 7.2 13.12 Driver updates and support stopped at AMD Catalyst 13.12 for video cards with support up to DirectX 11.[citation needed]
Windows 7 9.3 18.9.3 22.6.1[42] Driver updates and support were discontinued for x86 operating systems at version 18.9.3, and for x64 at 22.6.1.[42]
Windows 8.1 12.8[43] 17.1.2/17.7.1 Support for driver updates stopped in 2017, though still possible to install.[44]
Windows 10 15.7[45] 18.9.3[46] active

support

x86 driver support was discontinued to focus on x64 only.
Windows 11 21.9.1 —

Starting with version 4.9 (released on 4 September 2004) the Catalyst driver package included the ATI Catalyst Control Center,[47] a new software application for manipulating many hardware functions, such as 3D settings, monitor controls and video options. It shows a small 3D preview and allows the user to see how changes to the graphics settings affect the quality of the rendered image. It also shows information about the card itself and the software data. This application requires Microsoft .NET Framework.

Radeon Software 16.x and higher drops support for TeraScale-based GPU models. Vulkan 1.0 support was introduced in Radeon Software 16.3.2.

Radeon Software 17.7.1 is the final driver for Windows 8.1.

Radeon Software 18.9.3 is the final driver for 32-bit Windows 7/10.

AMD Software 22.6.1 is the final driver for Windows 7 (and Windows 8.1 unofficially); 22.6.1 is also the final driver for GCN 1, GCN 2 and GCN 3 based GPUs[42]

Issues

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On Windows Platforms

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  • Quantity of rendered ahead frames cannot be adjusted
  • Triple buffering in D3D cannot be forced
  • V-sync in many games under Windows 7 cannot be forced disabled

On Linux Platforms

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Recommended releases are releases that have passed both WHQL tests and certification, as well as AMD's own suite of tests, and are guaranteed to be highly stable by AMD.[3]
  2. ^ Supported platforms for AMD Link on Smart TVs include Android TV 7+ and Apple TV fourth generation or later on tvOS 12+[13]

References

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  1. ^ "ATI makes unprecedented commitment to high-quality, frequently updated drivers and software". AMD. Archived from the original on November 23, 2007. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "CATALYST (v02.1) FAQ". ATI. Archived from the original on June 21, 2002. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  3. ^ Allan, Darren (July 23, 2022). "AMD throws shade at Nvidia over quality of graphics drivers". TechRadar. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 24.6.1 Release Notes". AMD. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  5. ^ "Radeon Software for Linux 24.10.3 Release Notes". AMD. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  6. ^ "AMD Graphics, Design & Manufacturing | Built with Qt". www.qt.io. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d Trevisan, Thiago (December 17, 2021). "Radeon Anti-Lag". PC World. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  8. ^ "AMD Radeon Anti-Lag". AMD. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Ridley, Jacob (March 17, 2022). "Your RDNA GPU just got the power to upscale nearly any game with Radeon Super Resolution". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Stobing, Chris (December 10, 2019). "Preview: AMD Pumps Up Radeon Software to 'Adrenalin 2020' With Brand New Tech". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  11. ^ Judd, Will (October 3, 2023). "AMD's HYPR-RX tested: an easy way to cut latency and boost frame-rates?". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  12. ^ Lambert, Matthew (July 26, 2017). "AMD Releases Radeon Software Crimson ReLive 17.7.2". Bit-Tech. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "AMD Link for TV". AMD. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  14. ^ Ridley, Jacob (April 20, 2021). "AMD adds PC sharing software to Radeon software, but it comes with caveats". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  15. ^ Crider, Michael (January 26, 2024). "AMD ends support for Radeon Link mobile streaming app". PCWorld. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  16. ^ Smith, Ryan (May 25, 2014). "AMD Catalyst 14.6 Beta Drivers Released, Adds New Eyefinity Functionality & More". AnandTech. Archived from the original on July 1, 2014. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  17. ^ Appian HydraVision Reference Guide, Redmond, WA: Appian Graphics, a division of ETMA Corporation
  18. ^ "HYDRAVISION - For RADEON and Mobile ATI Products". AMD. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  19. ^ Larabel, Michael (November 12, 2005). "ATI PowerPlay". Phoronix. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  20. ^ "AMD Catalyst 15.7.1 Driver for Windows Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on October 20, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  21. ^ "Radeon Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.5.1 Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  22. ^ Ridley, Jacob (May 14, 2019). "Farewell Mantle… AMD has ended all support for DirectX 12's API inspiration". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on October 30, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  23. ^ "AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition (15.30.1025)". AMD. Archived from the original on May 11, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  24. ^ "AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.2.1 Beta Driver". AMD. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  25. ^ "AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.3 Release Notes". AMD. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  26. ^ "AMD Adrenalin 18.4.1 Graphics Driver Released (OpenGL 4.6, Vulkan 1.1.70)". Geeks3D. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  27. ^ "Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition 18.4.1 Release Notes". AMD. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  28. ^ "AMD Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.3.2 Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  29. ^ "Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition 18.3.3 Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  30. ^ "Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition 20.1.2 Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  31. ^ "Radeon Software Adrenalin 22.1.2 with Vulkan 1.3 Support". AMD. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  32. ^ "AMD ROCm 6.0 adds support for Radeon RX 7900 GRE and PRO W7800". VideoCardz.com. February 14, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  33. ^ JEGX (December 21, 2009). "How to Enable OpenCL Support on NVIDIA and AMD Platforms". Geek3D. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  34. ^ Carsten (October 24, 2010). "Industry's first Open-CL 1.1-Driver is public: AMD Catalyst 10.10". GPU-Tech. Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  35. ^ "OpenCL 1.2 supported in AMD OpenCL APP SDK 2.7 and Catalyst 12.4 drivers". Khronos Group. May 12, 2012. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  36. ^ "AMD OpenCL 2.0 Driver". AMD. Archived from the original on December 13, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  37. ^ Smith, Ryan (February 2, 2014). "AMD Catalyst 14.1 Beta Drivers Now Available: Mantle, Frame Pacing, & More". AnandTech. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  38. ^ "AMD Repositories". Radeon. Archived from the original on January 8, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  39. ^ "Catalyst Version 6.2 for Windows ME Release Note". AMD. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  40. ^ "Catalyst Release Note Version 6.6". ATI. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  41. ^ "BEARWINDOWS - Microsoft Windows 2000/NT 5.0 [Build 2195]". Bearwindows. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  42. ^ a b c "AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition 22.6.1 for Windows 7 Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  43. ^ "AMD Catalyst Software Suite Version 12.8 Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on November 17, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  44. ^ "Adrenalin 2020 on Windows 8.1?". AMD. December 21, 2019. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  45. ^ "AMD Catalyst 15.7 Driver for Windows Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  46. ^ "Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition 20.2.1 Release Notes". AMD. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  47. ^ "ATI Ushers in a New Era of Usability and Customization for PC Graphics". ati.amd.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
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