That was without the MLAA... just did another quick run of Black Death with the MLAA enabled and...... wow. This time it was with an average of 45fps and the effect on the graphics was rather wonderful too. I nearly forgot I was playing at 1280x720.
I really can't recommend this driver enough for people on similar systems to mine.
As for the rugrat.... the sound problems have ceased now, though he is still in the beta-testing stage at the moment. He should be sleeping through the night more effectively...... in two weeks.
