NVidia Driver

[PFactorDave]

So, I got a notification on my machine today alerting me that a video driver update is available.

Now, considering that I haven't been having any problems lately, should I upgrade my video driver or just leave it as is?

Current driver is:  275.33

New driver is:  295.73

[ImADot]

It all depends on if the new driver has any features that you would make use of or can't live without. I started using a beta driver a month or so ago when they release it with enhancements such as ambient occlusion and other optimizations geared towards Skyrim. I haven't had any issue with Aces High or anything else.

So, it's up to you whether you want to roll the dice and see what comes up.

[Skuzzy]

NEVER, NEVER allow Windows to update a video card driver.  That is the fast path to causing a lot of problems.  It may not happen today, but it will happen.

[FLOTSOM]

be very very very careful with NVidia updates!!!!!!

NVidia tends to apply their updates in a broad brush!!!! i cant remember how many times i had updates that actually would cause problems with my card because it wasn't designed for my card but NVidia said it was.

wait a few weeks after the update has been put out into the world and then go read their boards http://forums.nvidia.com/ and see if there are any conflicts between your card and the lastest update or if any particular problems have been discovered. oh and ALWAYS keep a copy of the install of last working set of drivers in a folder somewhere just in case.

[Skuzzy]

Yes, what FLOTSOM said.  NVidia and ATI both update drivers to help the latest, greatest versions of thier hardware be the fastest and often it can result in problems for older cards.

[PFactorDave]

I only get a notification when an update is available, it doesn't install on its own.

Based on what you guys are saying, I'll simply ignore it.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Ack-Ack]

I only get a notification when an update is available, it doesn't install on its own.

Based on what you guys are saying, I'll simply ignore it.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If you have a GFX 2xx series card or greater, I would recommend keeping the drivers updated and would even suggest using the beta drivers.  For cards prior to the GFX 2xx series, I would recommend sticking with your current drivers if everything is working okay.

ack-ack

[guncrasher]

wait a month or two for the updates to be fully tested by others.

semp

[PFactorDave]

If you have a GFX 2xx series card or greater, I would recommend keeping the drivers updated and would even suggest using the beta drivers.  For cards prior to the GFX 2xx series, I would recommend sticking with your current drivers if everything is working okay.

ack-ack

I have a GTX285, how does that relate to GFX?

[Ack-Ack]

I have a GTX285, how does that relate to GFX?

Sorry, forgot that different Nvidia cards have different names for their chipsets like GTS and GTX.  Anyway, it doesn't matter whether or not it's a GTS or a GFX or a GTX, they all use the same universal Nvidia driver.  The latest driver does offer improved support for the older 2xx series so it wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade your drivers.  If you had the older 9xxx or 8xxx series, then I would have recommended staying with an older driver and not update.


ack-ack

[PFactorDave]

Sorry, forgot that different Nvidia cards have different names for their chipsets like GTS and GTX.  Anyway, it doesn't matter whether or not it's a GTS or a GFX or a GTX, they all use the same universal Nvidia driver.  The latest driver does offer improved support for the older 2xx series so it wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade your drivers.  If you had the older 9xxx or 8xxx series, then I would have recommended staying with an older driver and not update.


ack-ack

Very good, I appreciate the info ack-ack.   

[LCAMerciful]

And if/when you ARE ready to update the drivers download them from the manufacturer's website.. or at the very least nvidia.com.  Don't let windows update it.

[PFactorDave]

And if/when you ARE ready to update the drivers download them from the manufacturer's website.. or at the very least nvidia.com.  Don't let windows update it.

Windows update it?  Oh heavens no.  I'll get them from nvidia, clean the old driver out, then install the new one.

[guncrasher]

i downloaded the drivers out of curiosity at the description and saw a big improvement in the game.  I sometimes would get mini-freezes and they're gone.  i got mine directly for the evga website since i got a evga vc.


semp

I should alway say dont do the express as it will also install 3d and most people dont use the 3d so it's a waste of resources.  same for the monitor sound driver.  but I gotta say I am impressed with the way things look now.  they're a bit sharper than before.  I got sli evga 465 oc a bit only with 3 monitors.

[PFactorDave]

Can someone recommend a good free program for cleaning out drivers...  I used to have one, but apparently I have changed computers since then and I don't remember what it was called.