AMD has posted the first version of its Catalyst graphics card driver package to achieve WHQL certification for its Windows Vista compatibility, the company announced today. It's derived from the Windows XP version of Catalyst 7.1, but the two aren't entirely the same.

For example, while the new package rolls out CrossFire multi-GPU support for all ATI Radeon X1000-based cards, it doesn't yet enable Alternate Frame Rendering (AFR) by default on titles that support this CrossFire mode. HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc support is limited to 32-bit Vista, not the 64-bit version of the OS.

Still, the code does bring an updated native OpenGL driver to Vista, and a redesigned Catalyst Control Center tool which, apart from performance improvements, adds a 3D preview for the utility's numerous settings. AMD also introduced a new installer with the Catalyst Vista release, claiming it delivers a better installation and update experience to end-users.

The Vista driver package can be downloaded from AMD's ATI website.