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New Nvidia Drivers (including Windows 7 WHQL)

zod96

Platinum Member
Looks like Nvidia released new drivers today all flavors...

XP:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_185.85_whql.html

Vista 32-bit:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/w...a_x86_185.85_whql.html

Vista x64:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/w...a_x64_185.85_whql.html

Windows 7 32-bit:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7_x86_185.85_whql.html

Windows 7 x64
http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7_x64_185.85_whql.html

Other OSes



---
I've edited this thread by adding the link to the Windows 7 drivers and merging in the posts from Sickbeast's thread about those drivers.

AmberClad
Video Moderator
 
These are the first WHQL drivers to (fully) support Ambient Occlusion (for games that don't include it), right?

- i am on it for the 64bit drivers as i just migrated from 32-bit Vista to Vista64 for my desktop PC
. . . and i am ALSO d/l'ing 185.85 for Vista32 on my notebook! - they support GeForce 8200 M G [cheapass compaq!] !!
:thumbsup:

This is a WHQL-Certified driver supporting GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, and 200-series desktop GPUs and ION.

New in Release 185 drivers:

* Adds support for the new GeForce GTX 275 GPU.
* Adds support for Ambient Occlusion ? the newest NVIDIA Control Panel feature to offer enhanced 3D gaming realism exclusively to GeForce GPUs.
* Adds support for CUDA 2.2 for improved performance in GPU Computing applications. See CUDA for more details.
* Expands GPU hardware acceleration for the NVIDIA Video Encoding library to GPUs with less than 32 cores. Applications using this library include CyberLink PowerDirector 7, Nero Move it 1.5, Loilo SuperLoiloScope MARS, and CyberLink MediaShow Espresso.
* Accelerates performance in several 3D applications. The following are examples of improvements measured with Release 185 drivers vs. Release 182 drivers (results will vary depending on your GPU, system configuration, and game settings):
o Up to 25% performance increase in The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
o Up to 22% performance increase in Crysis: Warhead with antialiasing enabled
o Up to 11% performance increase in Fallout 3 with antialiasing enabled
o Up to 14% performance increase in Far Cry 2
o Up to 30% performance increase in Half-Life 2 engine games with 3-way and 4-way SLI
o Up to 45% performance increase in Mirror?s Edge with antialiasing enabled
* Automatically installs the new PhysX System Software version 9.09.0408.
* Supports GeForce Plus Power Pack #3. Download these FREE PhysX and CUDA applications now!
* Numerous bug fixes. Refer to the release documentation notes.
* Users without US English operating systems can select their language and download the International driver here.
 
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Hmmm it said that the NV Control Panel failed to install, and that I will not be able to use some features.

I read about some people having this issue with the various 185.xx betas. I don't know of any fix though 🙁

Also, they're out for Vista:

32bit
64bit
 
Ok it installed fine in Safe Mode.

COD5 performed marginally at 1080P (20fps, all options on), and decent at 720P (30fps, all options on). That's on my 8800GTS 320mb and Opteron 165. For the first time, my system feels dated to the point that I'm going to have to upgrade.
 
There is 2 downloads it looks like for the same version on the nvidia.com website does anyone know if there is a difference?
 
Anyone have a link to a review that discusses performance hit from running AO? Some people in random threads seem to say minimal (e.g. 5fps off 60) others say 50-60% performance hit. I'll try it myself, just waiting for updated RivaTuner and EVGA Precision to support the new driver.
 
Originally posted by: gramboh
Anyone have a link to a review that discusses performance hit from running AO? Some people in random threads seem to say minimal (e.g. 5fps off 60) others say 50-60% performance hit. I'll try it myself, just waiting for updated RivaTuner and EVGA Precision to support the new driver.

It seemed to take quite a performance hit for me, and I couldn't notice much visual difference if any at all.
 
These drivers finally fixed flat panel scaling - for my notebook and my desktop - no more workaround needed
-- frickin' finally !!

AO isn't generally worth the performance hit
- except perhaps in Source games .. then NP
rose.gif
 
Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
Originally posted by: apoppin


AO isn't generally worth the performance hit
- except perhaps in Source games .. then NP
rose.gif

does this apply to Source (CS) in XP?

no idea - why not try it and report back to us ? 😛

i never liked XP and because Vista is superior in gaming, i do not test with it

Source games run really well on mid-range PCs. If you are getting 80 FPS as a minimum and AO even cuts the frames in half, it is still satisfactory

rose.gif
 
This is awesome - I'm loving nVidia's accelerated WHQL release schedule. :thumbsup:

I can't wait to test them later as there were gains mentioned in games that I play.
 
I am more than impressed by NV's Windows 7 drivers. Maybe they're trying to make up for the lack of hardware updates? Whatever the cause is, it's a good thing, for sure.
 
Amber or BFG: Please change OP's link to point to general info about the driver, or make a prominent note about it being specifically for XP. Wasn't paying attention (yeah, my fault) and almost tried to install it on Vista x64. Thanks!
 
Originally posted by: zagood
Amber or BFG: Please change OP's link to point to general info about the driver, or make a prominent note about it being specifically for XP. Wasn't paying attention (yeah, my fault) and almost tried to install it on Vista x64. Thanks!


start here:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us
185.85 IS released for Vista-64 *also*

- vista 32

XP 32

XP 64

and even Mobility Geforce GPUs in all MS OS flavours [not linux 😛 ]
rose.gif


i'm loving it on my notebook
:heart:
 
Are we able to directly install the drivers or do we need to apply the old methods of uninstall/safemode/drivercleaner/install/reboot for Win7 x64?
 
Originally posted by: GZFant
Are we able to directly install the drivers or do we need to apply the old methods of uninstall/safemode/drivercleaner/install/reboot for Win7 x64?

If I'm just updating the driver I just install right over the old one and I haven't had any major problems.
 
Originally posted by: GZFant
Are we able to directly install the drivers or do we need to apply the old methods of uninstall/safemode/drivercleaner/install/reboot for Win7 x64?

ideally you just UNinstall the old version in the CP [reboot] and then the new version [reboot] and you're good to go

Driver cleaner is a giant WASTE of time and may even screw up stuff if you use it
- For those that must uninstall "every trace of ATi driver" there is Cat install manager

and i would
make very sure to remove traces of ATi before installing a Nvidia GPU - or vice versa - but if you are just UPDATING drivers, forget Driver cleaner 😛

rose.gif
 
Using Win7 X64 I just installed over the old one. I could tell when the installer got rid of the old driver because the resolution went to default, and then back to my settings after installing the WHQL.


I've also noticed that my 4870 (512mb) runs cooler now with the WHQL. I haven't touched any of the other fans in my case, and the ambient temp in my room as actually gotten higher in the last week or so due to weather changes (no AC). Temps while runing L4D at max settings and 1920x1200 have dropped about 5 degrees, and my fan doesn't work nearly as hard. Very cool.
 
Originally posted by: angry hampster
Using Win7 X64 I just installed over the old one. I could tell when the installer got rid of the old driver because the resolution went to default, and then back to my settings after installing the WHQL.


I've also noticed that my 4870 (512mb) runs cooler now with the WHQL. I haven't touched any of the other fans in my case, and the ambient temp in my room as actually gotten higher in the last week or so due to weather changes (no AC). Temps while runing L4D at max settings and 1920x1200 have dropped about 5 degrees, and my fan doesn't work nearly as hard. Very cool.

What..the f*ck?
 
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