Do you use the nVidia SW IDE Driver?

[ty1er]

For all the people out there running nvidia chipset motherboards, do you guys use the nvidia IDE drivers. I remember reading a while back that there were issuses using these drivers. I just ordered the MSI P6N plat mobo and I was wondering if I should install them or not.
I would much rather sacifice alittle proformace for stablity.

 

[tcsenter]

Nope. I have only used NF4 family. The NF5 and NF6 family might have solved these issues.

 

[aka1nas]

It's hit or miss on the NF4 family. They are generally fine if you find a stable version. I've ended up using the Nforce remixes on Guru3d quite a lot.

 

[FireTech]

I'm using it, no problem on NF4 Ultra.

 

[us3rnotfound]

I would not bother, it is not like one could notice an increase in performance with them.

 

[natto fire]

The only time I did was back when I had first gotten my NForce2. It caused a stop error, and I have never bothered with them since.

 

[The Sauce]

On the roughly 10 nForce systems I have built, the SW IDE driver has worked on exactly none of them. Installing it has invariably resulted in a Windows no-load scenario forcing a restore ... every time. It is utter grabage. Can't imagine why nVidia keeps torturing people with it when it just doesn't work.

 

[eBauer]

I have always installed the SW IDE driver and have rarely had any issues, and I've built countless boxes based off just about every nforce chipset out there. IIRC, the few issues came with the nforce1/2 systems, but they were quickly fixed with newer driver releases.

 

[Stumps]

I do on my NF2 systems, but on my NF3 setup's I don't use it, it causes issues with the optical drives.

 

[ty1er]

thanks for everyones replies.

So, it pretty much sounds like im better off not installing them - since the proformance increase is insugnificant.

 

[PianoMan]

I'd agree - I've running them now on an NF4 chipset and experience the well known stability issues. They aren't frequent or severe enough to warrant the risk of reverting back, but in the future, I'm not touching them. NF5/6 may have worked out those issues, so it may be something I'll look into the future.

PM

 

[Fallengod]

I have an NF4 ultra board also. I remember when I first installed it I didnt use it, and then I formated recently and did use it. I really cant say I noticed anything. Id say just dont bother. No point installing drivers for no reason.