Help an AMD newb to do it the right way (Windows + drivers)

joe pineapples · 22 Apr 2024 at 11:21

Ok, so I've been having some trouble since installing windows (10 then 11) on my new AMD build, with the the GPU drivers. On the desktop, the mouse will freeze then the screen goes black for a few seconds, then this repeats itself until I get this message "Radeon software and driver versions do not match" and "The version of AMD Radeon Software you have launched in not compatible" and/or "amd crash defender has detected an issue with your display driver. The display driver is now operating in safe mode", after which it defaults to a generic driver. I've tried various fixes, but seem to be going around in circles.

Anyway, having decided to do a fresh Windows 10 install, I'm hoping some of you seasoned AMD users out there can give me the best (least problematic) way to install drivers after the O.S is installed, and the best drivers to use (windows own, Gigabytes or AMD's).

I don't need(?) any fancy features other than the ability to cap the framerate to 60 (until I get a new monitor).

Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX (rev. 1.2)
7800x3d
7900xt, which I haven't installed yet. Just using the igpu for now.

Thanks.

joe pineapples · 22 Apr 2024 at 13:36

I did/do have expo enabled. Would that show stability issues (if there is a problem there), in general windows usage?, since without the amd gpu (or other?) driver running, I've not had any issues.

(thanks for the inputs so far)

joe pineapples · 22 Apr 2024 at 13:55

tamzzy said:
yes absolutely because the igpu uses the ram for its vram

So the expo setting is less likely to be the cause?. I'm assuming the igpu still uses the ram for its vram, even without the amd driver running.

joe pineapples · 22 Apr 2024 at 14:07

Tetras said:
Have you tried different versions? It might just be a bugged driver package.

Tbh I got that bogged down with it, I'm not sure. I did use the auto-detect package at one point.

joe pineapples · 23 Apr 2024 at 19:01

Orcvader said:
From AMD directly. I would make sure you're on the latest BIOS first before installing. Then proceed to install Windows afterwards.

Chipset next: https://www.amd.com/en/support/downloads/drivers.html/chipsets/am5/b650.html

Then GPU (this should cover both 7900XT and IGP): https://www.amd.com/en/support/down...eon-rx-7000-series/amd-radeon-rx-7900-xt.html

After that Windows drivers are usually good enough for the rest of the hardware.

I would try RAM at stock speeds (XMP/EXPO off) in case it's a stability issue.

Followed all that this afternoon and still the same

The thing is, without the driver running, I was able to use windows and rip my music cd's all morning without any issues whatsoever. I did try the older driver suggested, but it came back with something about 'unsupported hardware' during the installation. I guess I could try installing the gfx card (and see how that goes) , but was hoping to nip this in the bud first.

joe pineapples · 10 May 2024 at 14:28

Just to wrap this up, I installed the gfx card, disabled the igpu in bios, successfully installed the latest drivers, and everything is working as it should.

Thanks guys.