Driver update package; how would you know if it included your card?

[videobruce]

When a manufacture (ATI or nVidea) updates their driver package, just how can one know if your specific card was updated? Other than release notes that address specific issues with specific cards, just how could anyone know if updateing would be worth it?

IOW's you could wind up re-installing the same files for your card especially if it is a older card.

Before anyone suggests; if you aren't having issues with your system, don't upgrade,,while that might be true, there could be performance issues that might be addressed with a newer driver version. On the other hand, I do understand; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Input.

 

[Peter]

The generic driver packages (as downloaded from public sites) do not have anything card specific. The question reduces to whether the new package still supports the graphics chip on my card. E.g. ATI dropped support for everything below the 9500 mid last year - and clearly said so on the web page that had the download.

Card specific drivers exist for specialty cards, and most prominently for notebooks. Here you get your driver update (or, with many vendors, don't ever get one) from the manufacturer of the card.

 

[videobruce]

The two cards are ATI based 9600 Pro and a 8500 (9100).

 

[Gamingphreek]

9600 can still use the latest Catalyst Drivers.

The 8500/9100 has its own older set of Catalyst drivers (It might be under Legacy Devices now)

As Peter said, they design drivers based on Graphics Chipsets, not on the exact card. Even with laptops they have Nvidia/ATI/Intel Reference drivers that should be used.

-Kevin