A new AMD Catalyst 11.8 preview driver out for grabs

A new AMD Catalyst 11.8 Preview Driver OpenGL 4.2 (8.88.8 August 8) for both Windows Vista and 7 32 and 64-bit is out for grabs.

AMD Catalyst Driver 11.8 early Preview Features:

Delivers performance enhancements for the AMD Radeon HD 5000/6000 Series. Includes enhancements to the AMD Catalyst Control Center. New task based Display Management controls

• Full support for the new OpenGL 4.2 specification. High-lights include
• Enhanced support for generic read-write memory and high performance atomics in shaders (EXT_shader_image_load_store and ARB_shader_atomic_counters extensions), allowing advanced graphics algorithms to be implemented.
• Increased flexibility in how texture memory is allocated and managed (ARB_compressed_texture_pixel_storage and EXT_texture_storage extensions).◦Improved control and access to geometry instancing for improved performance (ARB_transform_feedback_instanced and ARB_base_instance).
• Improvements to the OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL).◦Added control over GPU optimizations related to depth testing (AMD_conservative_depth).Build Info:DriverVer=08/08/2011, 8.880.8.00008.88.8-110808a-123505E-ATI

We have a discussion thread open on these drivers right here.

Download:

 AMD Catalyst 11.8 Windows XP 32 and 64-bit driver
 AMD Catalyst 11.8 Win 7 | Vista 32 and 64-bit driver

 On a second note, the AMD Catalyst Application Profile 11.7 CAP2 is out as well, grab that here.