nVIDIA released an official Forceware set today, Forceware 178.13. This Forceware includes a large number of performance improvements for GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, and GTX series video cards. SLI performance seemed to have improved as well in certain games. PhysX hardware acceleration and CUDA are supported in this set.
Since these drivers contain a large number of improvements, it is highly recommended to upgrade to this Forceware set.
Release Highlights:
* WHQL-certified driver for GeForce 6-series, 7-series, 8-series, 9-series, and 200-series GPUs, including the newly released GeForce 9800 GTX+, 9800 GT, 9500 GT and 9400 GT GPUs.
* Adds support for NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics memory (this driver package installs NVIDIA PhysX System Software v8.09.04).
* Experience GPU PhysX acceleration in several full games and demos today by downloading the GeForce Power Pack.
* Adds support for 2-way and 3-way NVIDIA SLI technology with GeForce GTX 200-series GPUs on Intel® D5400XS motherboards.
* Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI™ technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL, including 3-way and Quad SLI technology.
* Supports CUDA™.
* Supports NVIDIA GeForce 3D Stereo Technology.
* Supports Folding@home distributing computing application. Download the high performance client for NVIDIA GPUs here and join the NVIDIA team: #131015.
* Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.
* Includes several 3D application performance improvements. The following are examples of improvements measured with v178.13 WHQL versus v175.19 WHQL driver:
* Single GPU increases up to 11% in 3DMark Vantage (performance preset)
* Single GPU increases up to 11% in Assassin's Creed DX10
* Single GPU increases up to 15% in Bioshock DX10
* Single GPU increases up to 15% in Call of Duty 4
* Single GPU increases up to 8% in Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
* 2-way SLI increases up to 7% in Bioshock DX10
* 2-way SLI increases up to 10% in Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts DX10
* 2-way SLI increases up to 12% in Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
* 2-way SLI increases up to 10% in World in Conflict DX10
* Includes numerous 3D application compatibility fixes. Please read the release notes for more information on product support, features, driver fixes and known compatibility issues.
* Users without US English operating systems can select their language and download the International driver here.
*Note: Quad SLI technology with GeForce 9800 GX2, 3-way SLI technology, and Hybrid SLI technology are only supported on Windows Vista.
Driver Download Links:
Windows XP (32-Bit): Download
Windows XP (64-Bit): Download
Windows Vista (32-Bit): Download
Windows Vista (64-Bit): Download
Installation Instructions:
1.) Uninstall the NVIDIA drivers from "Program Add/Remove"
2.) Install and Run Driver Sweeper with "nVIDIA Display" selected. It's recommended to do this, so that left over data from old graphics drivers don't conflict with the new ones.
3.) Restart the computer.
4.) Install the new Forceware drivers.