Graphic Drivers

Nvidia has just let loose the GeForce 258.69 beta driver, the first release to include 3D Vision Surround support which enables (certain) multi-GPU setups to deliver a 3D experience via three monitors.
This new driver features support for GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, and 400 series desktop cards, for ION GPUs, and also boasts multiple fixes. The GeForce 258.69 beta is Link Removed - Invalid URL for the 32bit and 64bit versions of Windows 7 and Vista.
 
Slightly newer build than 10.6:

ATI 8.742 Win7/Vista x86/x64 - Guru3D.com Forums

I'm just about to try them so will update later.. Oh and the CCC contains no overdrive so probably best to upgrade driver via device manager..

Seem good too... DiRT2 runs so much better than the previous 10.6 release.. (well for me at least)
 
Last edited:
Download GeForce ForceWare 258.96 Windows 7 | Vista 32/64-bit WHQL candidate driver

This is a WHQL-candidate release from the Release 256 family of drivers (versions 256.xx to 259.xx). This driver package supports GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, and 400-series desktop GPUs as well as ION desktop GPUs. Learn more about Release 256 drivers here.

New in Release 258.96

Adds support for GeForce GTX 460.
Adds support for NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround technology. Learn more about this technology including the hardware and software requirements here.
Adds additional performance increases for GeForce GTX 400 Series GPUs in several PC games (these improvements are in addition to the previously reported Release 256 improvements). The following are examples of some of the most significant improvements measured with GeForce GTX 480. Results will vary depending on your GPU and system configuration:
o Up to 11% in Aliens vs. Predator (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
o Up to 7% in Crysis: Warhead (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Gamer)
o Up to 4% in H.A.W.X (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Very High)
o Up to 10% in Just Cause 2 (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF - Concrete Jungle)
o Up to 6% in Metro 2033 (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
o Up to 7% in Metro 2033 (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
o Up to 10% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)
o Up to 12% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)
o Up to 4% in World in Conflict (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)
Upgrades PhysX System Software to version 9.10.0224.
Upgrades HD Audio driver version 1.0.15.0 (for supported GPUs).
Includes numerous bug fixes. Refer to the release notes on the documentation tab for information about the key bug fixes in this release.
GeForce 400 series:
GTX 460, GTX 480, GTX 470, GTX 465

GeForce 300 series:
GT 320, 310, GT 330, GT 340, 315

GeForce 200 series:
GTX 280, GT 220, GTS 240, G210, 205, 210, GTS 250, GT 240, GTX 295, GTX 275, GTX 260, GTX 285, GT 230

GeForce 100 series:
GT 120, GT 130, GT 140, G 100

GeForce 9 series:
9800 GX2, 9100, 9400, 9600 GT, 9200, 9300 GS, 9500 GT, 9600 GSO, 9300 GE, 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9500 GS, 9400 GT, 9600 GS, 9800 GT, 9300

GeForce 8 series:
8200 / nForce 730a, 8800 GTS, 8800 GT, 8400, 8800 GTX, 8600 GT, 8600 GTS, 8200, 8400 GS, 8800 GTS 512, 8800 GS, 8500 GT, 8600 GS, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8800 Ultra, 8400 SE, 8300 GS, 8300

GeForce 7 series:
7800 SLI, 7300 GT, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7800 GS, 7550 LE, 7600 GT, 7350 LE, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7100 GS, 7600 GS, 7950 GT, 7650 GS, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7900 GT/GTO, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 LE, 7600 LE, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7900 GTX, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7500 LE, 7300 GS, 7950 GX2, 7900 GS, 7800 GTX

GeForce 6 series:
6200 LE, 6200 TurboCache, 6150 LE, 6600, 6800 GT, 6200SE TurboCache, 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S, 6800 Ultra, 6800 XT, 6100 nForce 400, 6600 GT, 6610 XL, 6200, 6800, 6700 XL, 6800 LE, 6800 GS/XT, 6150, 6600 LE, 6600 VE, 6500, 6200 A-LE, 6800 XE, 6800 GS, 6250, 6100 nForce 405, 6100 nForce 420, 6100, 6150SE nForce 430

We have a discussion thread open on these drivers right here.

Download 32bit: http://downloads.guru3d.com/ForceWare-258.96-Windows-7-|-Vista-(32-bit)-download-2587.html

Download 64bit: http://downloads.guru3d.com/ForceWare-258.96-Windows-7-|-Vista-(64-bit)-download-2588.html

Ref: http://www.guru3d.com/news/geforce-forceware-25896-released/
 
Last edited:
NVIDIA 258.96 WHQL_Candidate drivers available

32-bit, x86 here - ForceWare 258.96 Windows 7 | Vista (32-bit) download from Guru3D.com

64-bit, x86-x64 here - ForceWare 258.96 Windows 7 | Vista (64-bit) download from Guru3D.com

Have fun.

Code:
[SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000][SIZE=2][SIZE=2]	This  is a WHQL-candidate release from the Release 256 family of drivers  (versions 256.xx to 259.xx). This driver package supports GeForce 6, 7,  8, 9, 100, 200, 300, and 400-series desktop GPUs as well as ION desktop  GPUs. Learn more about Release 256 drivers here.
We have a discussion thread open on these drivers [URL="http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?p=3637523"]right here[/URL].

New in Release 258.96

* Adds support for GeForce GTX 460.
*  Adds support for NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround technology. Learn more about  this technology including the hardware and software requirements here.
*  Adds additional performance increases for GeForce GTX 400 Series GPUs  in several PC games (these improvements are in addition to the  previously reported Release 256 improvements). The following are  examples of some of the most significant improvements measured with  GeForce GTX 480. Results will vary depending on your GPU and system  configuration:
o Up to 11% in Aliens vs. Predator (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
o Up to 7% in Crysis: Warhead (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Gamer)
o Up to 4% in H.A.W.X (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Very High)
o Up to 10% in Just Cause 2 (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF - Concrete Jungle)
o Up to 6% in Metro 2033 (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
o Up to 7% in Metro 2033 (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
o Up to 10% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)
o Up to 12% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)
o Up to 4% in World in Conflict (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)
* Upgrades PhysX System Software to version 9.10.0224.
* Upgrades HD Audio driver version 1.0.15.0 (for supported GPUs).
*  Includes numerous bug fixes. Refer to the release notes on the  documentation tab for information about the key bug fixes in this  release. 
[/SIZE][/SIZE][/COLOR][/SIZE][/COLOR][/SIZE]
 
Re: NVIDIA 258.96 WHQL_Candidate drivers available

See above post
 
Re: NVIDIA 258.96 WHQL_Candidate drivers available

Wow 3 posts all for the same driver!
 
ATI 10.7 Beta release

ATI Catalyst™ 10.7 Beta Driver Feature:
The release of this software driver from AMD delivers support for the OpenGL ES 2.0 industry standard being developed to bring plug-in free 3D graphics to the Internet through open-source web browsers.

Instructions:
Download and install the ATI Catalyst beta driver from the following location:

GPU-74: ATI Catalyst


Refer to Article 20870 for detailed instructions on how to properly install the ATI Catalyst beta driver

Note! This driver is provided as is and is not supported by AMD. It has not completed full AMD testing and is only a beta driver.

Applicable Products:
This article applies to the following configuration(s):

Hardware
ATI Radeon™ HD 5xxx and ATI Radeon Mobility equivalent series of products
ATI Radeon HD 4xxx and ATI Radeon Mobility equivalent series of products
ATI Radeon HD 3xxx and ATI Radeon Mobility equivalent series of products
ATI Radeon HD 2xxx and ATI Radeon Mobility equivalent series of products
ATI FirePro™ Professional series of products
Software
ATI Catalyst Control Center
Operating System(s)
Windows 7 32-bit Edition
Windows 7 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista 32-bit Edition
Windows Vista 64-bit Edition
Windows XP Professional / Home
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Windows XP 64-bit Edition
 
Last edited:
Graphic Driver Update

Catalyst 10.7 available for download


As promised last week, AMD has now rolled out this month’s Catalyst driver release, the 10.7 version which features WHQL certification, and support for the Radeon HD 2000, HD 3000, HD 4000 and HD 5000 series cards, and the Radeon HD 3000 and HD 4000 series IGPs.

The new driver comes with the following additions:

Features

- ATI Eyefinity - HydraVision enhancements

Maximizing a window across displays will now take user defined bezel compensation into account

Automatically adjusts window position when dragging and dropping windows to ensure title bar visibility

Proper dialog box placement - dialogs do not cross displays, are not hidden behind
bezels, and can be designated to be shown on the users "preferred" display

- Enhanced Pull-down detection

The Pull-down detection algorithm has been enhanced for higher visual quality on certain types of video content (supported on the ATI Radeon HD 5000 Series)

- ATI CrossFireX technology - support for rotated displays

This release of ATI Catalyst enables end users running supported ATI CrossFireX configurations to rotate their displays (single or ATI Eyefinity display configurations) and still enjoy the performance benefits of ATI CrossFireX technology

- ATI Radeon GPU acceleration of VLC 1.1.1 Media Player

Enables GPU acceleration of h.264 video content when using the VLC 1.1.1 Media Player - delivering a better user experience by consuming less system resources

Supported on the ATI Radeon HD 5000 and ATI Radeon HD 4000 Series of products

Performance Improvements

- Borderlands

Performance increases 3-5% on ATI Radeon HD 5800 and ATI Radeon HD 5700 series single card and CrossFire configurations when anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering is enabled

Performance increases 3-8% on ATI Radeon HD 5970 single card and CrossFire configurations when anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering is enabled

Performance increases 2-6% on ATI Radeon HD 5600 and ATI Radeon HD 5500 series single card configurations when anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering is enabled

Performance increases 2-10% on ATI Radeon HD 4800 series single card and CrossFire configurations when anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering is enabled

To download the Catalyst 10.7 driver see this page:

32Bit Windows 7: http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/radeon.aspx?os=win7-32&lang=English

64Bit Windows 7: http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/radeon.aspx?os=win7-64&lang=English
 
Re: Graphic Driver Update

Great.. now to reinstall the final product. Why'd I decide to check the forum this morning.. :)
 
Re: Graphic Driver Update

The 10.7 beta is actually a later release as it delivers support for the OpenGL ES 2.0 industry standard being developed to bring plug-in free 3D graphics to the Internet through open-source web browsers.
 
Re: Graphic Driver Update

ATI Catalyst 10.7 Driver Investigation




Highlights of the ATI Catalyst 10.7 - Windows Release:

ATI Eyefinity Technology - Enhancements for HydraVision:


* Maximizing a window across multiple displays will now take user defined bezel compensation into account

* Automatically adjusts window position when dragging and dropping windows to ensure title bar visibility

* Proper dialog box placement - dialogs do not cross displays, are not hidden behind bezels, and can be designated to be shown on the users 'preferred' displayATI CrossFireX Technology - support for rotated displays:* This release of ATI Catalyst enables end users running supported ATI CrossFireX configurations to rotate their displays (single or ATI Eyefinity display configurations) and still enjoy the performance benefits of ATI CrossFireX technologyHighlights of the ATI Catalyst 10.7 - Linux Release:* ATI Catalyst driver for Linux 10.7 provides support for ATI Eyefinity technology under all supported Linux distributions

* This release of ATI Catalyst driver for Linux introduces support for Ubuntu 10.04 production.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


New Features


VLC is an open source multimedia framework, server and player that does not rely on codec packs or OS decode support - it's all built in. We tested VLC's GPU Acceleration capability with a hi-def movie and observed CPU and GPU usage meters.

VideoLAN v1.1.1 GPU Acceleration

The setting in VLC can be found under Tools > Preferences > Input & Codecs. This is an exciting new feature to have with the HTPC crowd. Being able to build a small, quiet, power sipping box is key in the HTPC environment. While our test sytem may not be HTPC material, we can verify that the feature is working. Anything that takes load from the CPU in an HTPC box can only help in the quest for the ultimate HTPC box with performance and the ability to stay cool and quiet.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Gaming Performance Tests











~~~~~~~~~~~~~


AMD's Catalyst Driver Release Schedule:

At this point we would like to note something about AMD's Catalyst Driver release schedule. AMD has committed to at least 12 WHQL certified driver releases as year, and the driver numbering system, at first glance, appears to indicate when the driver is released. This is partially correct - the first numeral is indeed the year of release. However, the second numeral (after the period) indicates the release number and not the month. For example, in some years there have been 13 releases - and obviously there are not 13 months in the Gregorian calendar. While AMD have managed to release a WHQL driver every month for a long, long time, there is nothing to stop them releasing 10.12 in November, if 10.11 is already out. Hotfix and preview drivers are indicated as such, usually appended with an 'a' or 'b' suffix to denote their official-but-not-final status.


 
Re: Graphic Driver Update

Not sure why but both 10.6 and 10.7 seem slower on DIRT2 for me

Same here. In fact I find the best driver to be 10.3 for DiRT 2.. I tend to notice most on the Battersea track. 10.3 runs smooth as silk whereas a later driver seems to introduce 'car stutter'.
 
Re: Graphic Driver Update

Nvidia has released the official Forceware 259.09 WHQL certified driver for Windows XP, Vista and 7. These drivers are a special release intended primarily for developers, providing support for OpenGL 4.1 and GLSL 4.10. Note that the new features of OpenGL 4.1 and GLSL 4.10 require a GeForce GTX 400 series or Quadro 4000, 5000, 6000, or 7000 series card in order to function.

OpenGL 4.1 support. New July 2010
 
Re: Graphic Driver Update

ATI has released the Beta Catalyst 10.7a graphics driver for the HD 2000 series and above. This driver provides support for Anti-Aliasing through the Catalyst Control Center for Starcraft II. The driver also contains improved performance for Quad ATI CrossFireX for Eyefinity supported configurations.

GPU-75: ATI Catalyst
 
Back
Top