AMD released the Catalyst 12.8 WHQL drivers certified for Windows 8. The driver introduces target-independent rasterization (TIR), an efficient new Direct3D rendering path. The driver also works to improve GPU power consumption. A suite of Windows 8-exclusive features, including native stereo 3D support and unified video API are included. Catalyst 12.8 WHQL also introduces performance-improvements specific to games, including up to 25% performance increase in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, 10% in Dirt 3, 6% in Batman: Arkham City, and 3% in Battlefield 3. Several game-specific bugs were patched.

AMD Catalyst 12.8 WHQL for Windows Vista, 7 and 8 (64-bit), Windows Vista, 7 and 8 (32-bit), Windows XP (32-bit), Windows XP (64-bit)

Features:

- AMD's first official unified and logo certified driver for Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista
- Target-Independent Rasterization (TIR): TIR is a new rendering path that enables superior anti-aliasing in Direct3D driver applications
- Native Stereo 3D Support: Windows 8 natively supports stereoscopic 3D gaming and videos via compatible applications
- Unified Video API: Video playback has been integrated into the DirectX 11 API, enabling simultaneous video and gaming content. Transcoding performance may also be improved for supporting applications.
- Optimized screen rotation for rotation aware devices
- Improved sleep/resume performance
- Optimized GPU power consumption

- Major technologies / features also supported under Windows 8:

o AMD Eyefinity technology
o OpenCL
o OpenGL
o Unified Video Decoder (UVD)
o AMD Dual Graphics
o AMD CrossFire technology
o AMD Overdrive
o AMD Catalyst Control Center
o Vision Engine Control Center

Performance highlights

Up to 25% in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Up to 3% in Battlefield 3
Up to 6% in Batman: Arkham City
Up to 3% in Dues Ex: Human Revolution
Up to 6% in Crysis 2
Up to 15% in Total War: Shogun
Up to 8% in Crysis Warhead
Up to 5% in Just Cause 2
Up to 10% in Dirt 3

updated CAPs

- The Secret World (DX11): Resolves corruption seen in HUD/options when running in CrossFire mode on the AMD Radeon HD 7000 Series
- TorchLight 2 - Improves single GPU performance, and disables CrossFire due to incompatible support when running in a Multi-GPU configuration
- Spec Ops: The Line: Improves CrossFire performance - Hawken: Improves CrossFire performance

Resolved issue highlights

- Over/underscan settings are correctly restored on system reboot
- Audio is no longer disabled if the connected HDTV Is switched off/on
- Shogun 2 : Flickering text is no longer experienced
- Star Wars - The Old Republic : In game cinematic no longer experience flicker when using the arrow keys
- Dirt Showdown: 8-Ball track No longer hangs with Crossfire enabled
- Max Payne 3 : A black screen is no longer observed when launching game in DirectX 11 mode with Crossfire enabled