Nvidia Will Unify Desktop, Laptop Drivers
The 256 Series will put desktops and laptops on equal footing.
Electronista reports that Nvidia is working on a set of unified drivers for both the desktop and discrete notebook GPUs. Although the Verde driver program has been somewhat successful over the years, the upcoming 256 Series will change the rules by placing both platforms on equal footing, providing features and fixes to both at the same time. Previously, notebook users had to wait on OEMs to provide updated drivers, however this method meant lagged updates and delayed features already enjoyed on the desktop.
HotHardware adds that this will certainly benefit notebook owners, allowing them to use CUDA-enabled applications that weren't available before because pre-installed notebook drivers didn't enable CUDA. The site also reports that the upcoming 256 Series will also bring features such as ambient occlusion, compatibility updates, SLI profiles for many recent games, and 3D Vision support on compatible systems.
For consumers who plan on purchasing a 3D HDTV, the new driver suite will allow compatible notebooks to connect and display 3D multimedia content (using the glasses supplied with the HDTV). There was also mention that the 256 Series may make unplayable games function correctly thanks to performance enhancements in the Nvidia 197 series drivers (over the 17x / 18x series).
Although the 256 Series drivers will be unified, they won't come in the same installation package--desktop and notebook owners will still need to download their drivers separately, but in the same timeframe. Compatible notebooks will include discrete GPUs, those with Optimus-enabled systems, and hybrids featuring Nvidia IGPs. Notebooks with multi-vendor solutions--such as Intel graphics and Nvidia graphics in one machine--will not be compatible.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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Bolbi So, they're playing catch-up to ATI (who started this type of program with the March Catalyst 10.3 drivers).Reply -
proxy711 BolbiSo, they're playing catch-up to ATI (who started this type of program with the March Catalyst 10.3 drivers).Ya except nvidia drivers are 500% better, but yay go ATI you had a cool program for awhile instead of making your drivers better and updated more often.Reply -
nukemaster proxy711Ya except nvidia drivers are 500% better, but yay go ATI you had a cool program for awhile instead of making your drivers better and updated more often./|\FANBOY ALERT!!!/|\Reply
I use both and ATI at the start and up past SP1 for Vista had far better and more stable drivers(and more often releases way more often if you have a 8800GTX card and had to wait 9 months for a release to fix all the crashes because they where always releasing new drivers for the newer card). Now days, they are generally on the same level. I do not see a 500% difference anywhere.... -
mindless728 Reply9202842 said:Ya except nvidia drivers are 500% better, but yay go ATI you had a cool program for awhile instead of making your drivers better and updated more often.
wow, i guess you have been living in a cave for a while now, since AMD bought ATI the drivers have been on par with each other (they each have had some slip ups) -
nforce4max Even though I don't own a notebook/laptop but I'll say this. About damn time!Reply
Linux drivers? pls -
pratkal proxy711Ya except nvidia drivers are 500% better, but yay go ATI you had a cool program for awhile instead of making your drivers better and updated more often.Reply
well nvidia driver are better then ati driver by 5% not 500% -
IronRyan21 Gin FushichoFinally.Reply
Why is the same argument used again and again? Same old nvidiot talking points, have you used ati, recently? Drivers are sound. Its like faulting microsoft still for lack of security in windows 95....... -
Zoonie Does this mean I don't have to wait for Sony to release an official gfx update for my Vaio? Cause they haven't updated it since launch, 2 years ago! I've been running laptop2go hacked drivers to get updates..Reply