Drivers

[shenmueguru]

Are updating your videocard drivers vital for getting the best performance in games? I've heard they are, but also they aren't. This is mainly for RTW, for my Radeon 9250. Last time I tried I screwed up my computer pretty badly. So, are they important for RTW and if so, is there a guide for the best way to do this?

[OTZ]

Updating your drivers is not necessarily "essential" - but it's reccommended to keep as up to date as possible, since they do increase compatibility and performance.

The easiest way to update them is to download the new one, uninstall the old one (through your control panel > add/remove programs), and then run the new exe. Some people suggest using a driver cleaner, but it's not always necessary. just go ti ATI.com for your new driver.

[Incinerate_IV]

Personal I think running Driver Cleaner is nessessary to a good stable system. If I don't run Driver Cleaner after I uninstall a driver, some of my games will crash and I will get a BSOD every once a while.

[shenmueguru]

So you install the new driver before deleting the old ones? Is the 'catalyst uninstaller' a driver cleaner?

[OTZ]

Uninstall old, install new. And Catalyst Uninstaller is not a cleaner...

I'm still on the fence about driver cleaners - it doesn't hurt to use them, and I guess it will ensure traces of the old ones are gone for good - but in my experience I have never used one and have never experienced any problems.