AMD just released its Catalyst 8.6 driver package, which brings the usual myriad of performance improvements for benchmarks and current games, but there are two completely new features as well. Version 8.6 introduces CrossFireX quad support for OpenGL applications as well as support for OpenGL adaptive anti-aliasing custom filters.

Users with any combination of a an ATI Radeon HD 3870, HD 3850 and HD 3870 X2 graphics cards running with three or four GPUs will now be able to run OpenGL in CrossFireX quad mode.

Using the Edge Detect Custom Filter, users can now also enable 12X and 24X anti-aliasing. According to AMD, selecting 4X anti-aliasing plus selecting the Edge Detect filter delivers the equivalent of 12X anti-aliasing, while selecting 8X anti-aliasing plus selecting the Edge Detect filter delivers the equivalent of 24X anti-aliasing.