Is the ATI Catalyst Control Center Necessary?

[Chuck Engels]

I have been having issues with the ATI Catalyst Control Center (CCC) freezing my PC at startup, at least that's what I am pretty sure is causing it. I don't think that this graphics card utility is necessary or required but wanted to check with the experts

[hpharley90]

I never had a problem with the ATI Catalyst control center.
What I did have a problem was that latest ATI update.If I remember correctly it was an update to cover a broad range of cards.My card was ATI Radeon 300
It would not let an DV-AVI play WMP 11.
I went back to an earlier update and things were fine.
I have since updated to a new card.

[Paul LS]

The Catalyst Control Center is not required. I generally just download and install the driver. I set all other monitor parameters using the Windows facility.

[Chuck Engels]

Thanks guys, that answers my question

[Dave McElderry]

Chuck, just to add a bit. The utility is not necessary, unless you want to tweak some of the more esoteric functions of the card. I remember one application that I had where I wanted to use a custom resolution that was not available through Windows. It took the utility to do that. As you probably know, there are a lot of things that you can do with the utility, most of which few people would have any use for.

[Chuck Engels]

Thanks Dave, I've played with the different settings at times but no real use for them 99% of the time.