Nvidia video drivers: Omega vs Forceware

[brawleyman]

I am currently using the Omega drivers for my Dell E521 (below are my specs). I have the older set, but I noticed that they now have a newer set which is basically the equivalent to Forceware 66.93 (the older set I have is the equivalent to 53.xx I think). Here is the link:

http://www.omegadrivers.net/nvidia/win2k_xp.php

Right now, the last official release of Forceware is 163.75 (the last time I used forceware, I had version 92.xx I think).

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_163.75.html

Which is the best? Have any of you used either of these and noticed any difference in games or the sytem overall? The games I play are Star Wars Battlefronts 1 and NFS Underground 1 (I know, a few years behind games, but those are good games). Is there any particular forceware that is more efficient with my graphics card and operating system? I also use AutoCad and Sketchup for 3-d design.

 

[AMDZen]

From what I remember, Omega was better for ATi drivers. That was a few years ago and things may have changed, but I always use the newest nVidia drivers - and I never used Omega for nVidia drivers - only for ATi Drivers

 

[brawleyman]

I know that the 66.93 forceware drivers added support for the 6 series cards. Having that installed, would it slow me down since it doesn't officially support the 7 series?

 

[imported_Scoop]

Now why would install those, get the newest drivers from nvidia's site if you're thinking they'll do any good.

 

[secretanchitman]

ive never noticed anything in 3rd party drivers...ive mostly used the nvidia ones and they work fine.

 

[brawleyman]

I am going to install the forceware 163.75 and check it out compared to the omega and see how it goes. Thanks guys.

 

[Cheex]

Let us know your findings, it might be useful to some people.

:thumbsup:

 

[brawleyman]

Will do! I know that there were some differences between the 6 and 7 series of graphics cards as far as performance and how well the shaders and everything worked. The games that I am playing were from about that time and have all those fancy graphic "extras", so it will be interesting to see how it performs with newer support. I will post my findings when I try it out. I think that the biggest difference will be with shading. We will see.