Nvidia Serves Up Windows 8.1 Preview Drivers Too
Nvidia's GeForce drivers for Windows 8.1 Preview will be served up through Windows Update.
Not to be outdone by AMD, GPU competitor Nvidia said it has also launched WHQL-certified GeForce drivers for Microsoft's Windows 8.1 Preview build. These drivers, version 326.01, can be installed only after the Preview update is installed on a Windows 8 Nvidia-based machine. A long list of supported GPUs can be accessed here.
"Nvidia has long been committed to working with Microsoft to ensure the best possible Windows experience for GeForce users," the company said. "Our close working relationship with Microsoft allows us to provide WHQL-certified GeForce drivers via Windows Update on Day 1 for key milestones such as this Release Preview."
So far there is no direct link to the driver or notes, and Nvidia's Chris Daniel later said that "the driver is not showing up yet for some users/GPUs. We are working closely with Microsoft to correct this and make the driver available by end of the day." He also added that older GeForce drivers will not work properly with Windows 8.1 Preview.
It is likely that GeForce users may not see a direct link on the Nvidia website, as the company plans to push driver updates for Windows 8.1 and later through Windows Update instead. Links will be posted on the website if Nvidia is unable to resolve the issues relating to distribution through Windows Update.
"It’s a substantial effort that requires hundreds of man years of engineering time and thousands of hours of testing and certification, but it’s essential to ensure optimal performance and stability for the world’s largest gaming and productivity platform," Daniel said.
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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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robert3892 There are some apps which may not work properly without the 8.1 NVIDIA driver. I have found that the EVGA overclock scanner did not work properly without it. However, I am concerned that NVIDIA did not include a PhysX or HD audio with the driver or at least one that I could not see.Reply -
warezme It's never a good idea to push drivers through windows update. Don't say you haven't been warned. just disableReply -
kmelaza I wonder if this will significantly improve GPU performance vs windows 7, if i can squeeze a decent amount of performance out of my GTX 660 i would consider jumping to Win 8 Pro.Reply -
PedanticNo1 Like the person above me said, if Windows 8.1 can squeeze a bit of extra performance from my hardware, I'll upgrade. But I already caved and bought 7, after a decade and more of XP. It's going to take a serious product, not a gimmicky sham, to make me upgrade again. I'm sure there are plenty of other people just like me, if not the XP bit.Reply
We're tired of this crap, Microsoft. Improve under-the-hood aspects and we'll love you for it. -
17seconds These are WHQL drivers that work on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and Vista.Reply
According to the discussion at Guru3d (monitored by an Nvidia rep), they are pretty good.
http://www.guru3d.com/news_story/download_geforce_326_01_whql_windows_8_1_preview_driver.html -
bryonhowley Well these are no go on my system anyway. The drivers install just fine but if I try to change any settings in the Nvidia Control Panel it just stops responding before I even click apply and that means clicking anything with in the Control panel let alone trying to select anything.Reply
And it seems going back to the driver just before this does not work with Windows 8.1 either as I get the same exact thing. It looks like Nvidia has some more work to do with there Windows 8.1 drivers luckily AMD is not having any problems with there 8.1 drivers as my two AMD/ATI rigs are working great with there 8.1 drivers. I have tried clean install and even with all Nvidia drivers gone after reboot I get the same thing. Looks like I may have to role my intel/Nvidia rig back to Windows 8 atleast for now unless Nvidia gets a fix out and being Nvidia I do not see that happening anytime soon.