Every Windows computer that is powered with an AMD Ryzen CPU comes with an app called, AMD Radeon Software. Some users know how to take advantage of it, while others don’t even know that it exists on their computers. Personally, I’ve been using it since day 1. But what really is the AMD Radeon Software?
What is AMD Radeon Software?
The AMD Radeon Software is a device driver and utility software that comes preinstalled on any Windows PC with an AMD Ryzen CPU and AMD Radeon graphics. All throughout its history, the app has changed its name several times, with the “AMD Radeon Settings” then again to “AMD Radeon Software”, and recently, “AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition”.
However, the last update wasn’t just simply a name change. Most of its features are revamped too, and it now supports, not only display configuration but also things like overclocking and undervolting.
The AMD Radeon Software allows you to control your hardware fully and acts as the upgrade advisor. It supports all AMD Radeon graphics processing units (GPUs) and accelerated processing units (APUs). However, it may or may not be supported on other AMD product lines such as the AMD FireStream, AMD FireMV, and AMD FirePro. These, however, are supported by third-party OpenGL-certified software.
Since October 2018, AMD stops providing the 32-bit version of the app, and it makes sense since all modern Windows OS versions only come in 64-bit, and so is every AMD CPU.
Features of the AMD Radeon Software
The following are the best features of AMD Radeon Software.
Game profile management
One of the main features of AMD Radeon Software is its game profile management. The new AMD software is able to save the custom settings for each individual game that it supports, as well as the settings you set for your computer during the gaming session.
Overclocking and undervolting
Overclocking and undervolting have been mainstay features on most proprietary utility apps. A few years back, the AMD Radeon Software doesn’t have this feature. With the latest version, AMD added settings that will allow users to overclock, which is making the CPU perform faster than the stock clock speed, and undervolting, which is making the CPU run below the stock clock speed.
Overclocking will result in an increase in performance as well as operating temperature, while undervolting decreases the operating temperature of your CPU, saves battery life, and prolongs the life of the chip because it is operating at a slower clock speed.
Performance monitoring
Performance Monitoring is also one of the many new features included on the revamped AMD Radeon Settings. There are many benefits why performance monitoring is necessary especially for gamers and other professionals.
Performance monitoring allows users to detect and asses all the underlying problems the hardware has. If you love tweaking all the settings, you may also use this feature to set a baseline for comparison.
Recording/streaming and content management
Today, most people enjoy uploading gameplay content online. So having access to simple things like recording, and simultaneously streaming the content to many online platforms can be incredibly helpful. The AMD Software now has this feature for all AMD users.
Inside the app, the users may also manage their captured videos as well as screenshots of the gameplay. A very small addition to already feature-rich software, but a nice touch nonetheless.
Software update notification and upgrade advisor
While Windows has its own push notification system for software updates, it rarely says anything (if anything at all) regarding app compatibility and updates.
The new AMD Radeon Software now notifies users if there is a new software update available, as well as acts as the upgrade advisor. On the Windows system, an Upgrade Advisor is a separate app that assesses your hardware’s compatibility with upcoming major updates. It gives you details regarding compatibility, and which part of your computer needs to be replaced first before updating.
On the AMD Radeon Software, it pretty much works the same way except that it is more concerned about app compatibility. It is designed to assess whether the game requirements are met by the currently installed hardware and then report the overall compatibility as well as recommend all the needed hardware upgrades. The only downside of this feature is that it only works with games purchased on Steam.
AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution
Of course, we will not end this list without the most anticipated feature of the AMD Radeon Software, it’s Super Resolution technology. The AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is an in-driver upscaling feature that is currently available to hardware with the AMD Radeon™ RX 5000 series discrete desktop graphics and newer.
Basically, the FSR will render games at a lower resolution and then upscale them to fit your display while also enhancing every single detail of each graphic. The end result is a smooth gaming experience with little to no impact on visual quality. AMD said that there are currently over 80 games that support this unique in-driver algorithm, and there are more games waiting for implementation.
How to download, install and update drivers on the AMD Radeon Software?
You can click on the download button below to download the AMD Radeon Software. Note that while it is available for download, the software will only work for AMD hardware. It will also be referred to on the website as “AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition”.
Before downloading, make sure that your hardware met the following system requirements for both Windows and Linux computers:
- AMD Radeon Series Graphic
- AMD Ryzen Chipset
- Windows 11 version 21H2 and later
- Windows 10 64-bit version 1809 and later
- Ubuntu, RHEL/CentOS, and SLED/SLES
- Go to the official AMD website by clicking on the download button above.
- On the next page choose which driver to install depending on your operating system, and wait for the download to complete.
- Click on “Download Now”, and wait for the site to load. On the site, you will see the following two options:
- Auto-Detect and Install for Windows® 10/11
- Linux Drivers
- You should be able to see a file ending with EXE for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Double-click to unpack and set up the files then click install. Make sure that you use the recommended install location for the best software experience possible.
- Finally, finalize the installation by updating the drivers on your PC, and installing all the recommended software and components.
Note: Only the AMD Radeon Series Graphics will be able to install the AMD Radeon Software. There will be separate instructions below.- For AMD Radeon RX Series Graphics, the installer will display the list of the latest Recommended and Optional driver packages that can be installed.
- For AMD Radeon Pro Series Graphics, a Radeon Pro Software for enterprise version will be displayed and recommended.
- And finally, the Ryzen Chipsets will display all the recommended software chipset components. We advise leaving each component checked.
- At the bottom of the window, you should be able to see another “Install” button.
Installing the “AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition” on the AMD Radeon RX Graphics hardware
- Download the software using the link we provided above. If you were able to set up the installer earlier, it should have already recommended the app for installation. Again, make sure that you install it at the location specified by the installer.
- Again, at the bottom of the window, you should be able to see a red “Install” button.
- Choose from the following install types:
- Full Install – This type of install provides all AMD Software features and controls for gaming, recording, streaming, as well as tweaking of performance on your graphics hardware.
- Minimal Install – This type only provides the basic controls for AMD Software features. This does not include all the advanced features such as performance tweaking or recording and capturing content.
- Driver Only – This type only provides the latest drivers, hence there will be no user interface for AMD Software features.
How to factory reset the AMD Radeon Software?
- Launch the AMD Radeon Software, then click the “Gear” icon.
- Under the System tab, look for an option for Factory Reset, then click the Perform Reset.
- If you are provided with a warning, click the red Proceed button below.
- Restart your system, then relaunch the app.
How to uninstall the AMD Radeon Software?
- To uninstall the AMD Radeon Software, launch the Control Panel, then look for the Programs and Features.
- Look for the AMD Radeon Software from the list, right-click then click uninstall.
- On the AMD Radeon Software installer screen, click the red “Uninstall” button at the bottom right side of the window.
- Wait for it to finish, then click “Restart”.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to reinstall the AMD Radeon Software?
To reinstall the AMD Radeon Software, you will need to uninstall it first by going to the Control Panel > Programs and Features, then look for the AMD Radeon Software from the list, then right-clicking to uninstall. To start the reinstallation process, follow the instructions above on how to download and install the AMD Radeon Software on your Windows 10, Windows 11, and Linux computers.
How to update the AMD Radeon Software?
To update the AMD Radeon Software, launch the app, then click the gear icon. On the Settings tab, locate the button for “Check for updates”. If the green check appears, that means your software is up to date.
Why won’t the AMD Radeon Software open?
Your AMD Radeon Software may not open if the app is corrupted, or you have accidentally deleted some of the major software components.
How to fix the AMD Radeon Software not opening?
To fix the AMD Radeon Software, not opening, you will have to reinstall the app. Upon reinstallation, you will be able to see an option to “Reset Factory Settings (Optional)”. This should be able to delete the previous settings, and components and replace them with newer ones.
How to show my FPS on AMD Radeon Software?
To enable FPS display on your AMD Radeon Software (AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition), launch the app then click on the gear icon. Under the Hotkeys tab, you will be able to see two options, “Open Sidebar”, and “Open Fullscreen”. The sidebar version is the more compact FPS screen, while the fullscreen version will display a full FPS user interface.
The following are the default hotkeys:
- ALT + 2 for Open Sidebar
- ALT + R for Open Fullscreen