Persona Driver problems

well today i thought i'd update my main system

• Syetem Specs

• CPU qx6800, GPU 2 X hd2900 1GB, sound x-fi elite pro, 4GB ocz reaper 1066

well i decided to update the ATI drivers to catalyst 8.3 all looked well at desktop and benchmarking. but it has had some negative effects on my games
WOW 2.4 giltching FX stuttering bar about 1" tall right across the screen
Half life portals loading all the way to world screen then just a black screen can hear sound but nothing else

rolling back to 7.1 has fixed WOW but all the half life 2 addons are still bugged