This article provides an overview of the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta for 32-bit versions of Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. Released as part of the Nvidia Verde Notebook Driver Program, this driver offers a unified solution for users of these operating systems seeking to optimize the performance of their Nvidia notebook GPUs. This article aims to provide comprehensive information about this driver, including its features, supported products, and important considerations before installation.
Overview of the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta represents a significant step in driver development, being the first GeForce driver to consolidate support for Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista into a single, streamlined package. This approach simplifies the driver selection process for users running different versions of Windows on their laptops. Released on July 3, 2012, the 304.79 Beta driver is part of the R304 family of drivers, building upon the foundation laid by previous releases like the 304.48 drivers. This driver aimed to deliver performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features to enhance the overall user experience.
Key Features and What’s New
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta includes several key features and improvements, building upon the changes introduced in the R304 family of drivers. While specific "What’s New" details unique to the 304.79 release are unavailable in the source text, we can highlight the advancements brought by the R304 series, which this driver inherits:
- Unified Driver Architecture: A single driver package for multiple Windows operating systems (Vista, 7, and 8) streamlines installation and management.
- Performance Enhancements: The R304 drivers likely included optimizations for gaming and other graphically intensive applications, improving frame rates and overall responsiveness. (Specific details unavailable).
- Bug Fixes: This beta release likely addressed bugs and stability issues reported in previous driver versions, providing a more reliable experience. (Specific details unavailable).
- Nvidia Verde Notebook Driver Program: This driver is a reference driver, meaning it’s a general driver provided by Nvidia.
Important Considerations Before Installation
It is crucial to acknowledge the Nvidia Verde Notebook Driver Program’s guidance before installing this or any reference driver. Nvidia strongly advises users to consult their notebook’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) website for certified drivers tailored to their specific laptop model. OEMs often customize drivers to optimize performance and stability on their unique hardware configurations. Installing a reference driver like the 304.79 Beta may lead to compatibility issues or reduced performance compared to OEM-certified drivers. Furthermore, OEMs may not provide technical support for problems arising from the use of reference drivers.
Therefore, before proceeding with the installation of the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta, it is highly recommended to:
- Visit your notebook manufacturer’s website: Search for the latest drivers available for your specific laptop model and operating system.
- Compare driver versions: If a newer OEM-certified driver is available, it is generally advisable to install that version instead of the reference driver.
- Understand the risks: Be aware that installing a reference driver may void your OEM’s technical support and potentially introduce compatibility issues.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta supports a wide range of Nvidia notebook GPUs. Due to the source material being incomplete, a specific list of supported products is not available. However, typical supported products within the GeForce notebook range at that time would likely have included:
- GeForce 600M Series
- GeForce 500M Series
- GeForce 400M Series
- GeForce 300M Series
- GeForce 200M Series
- GeForce 100M Series
It is important to consult the driver’s release notes or the Nvidia website for a comprehensive list of supported GPUs.
Exceptions
Some GPUs might be exceptions and not supported by this driver. Consult the driver’s release notes on the Nvidia website for any exceptions to the supported product list.
Downloading the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta can be downloaded from the following locations:
- TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/16155/
- Alternative Download Link 1: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/Graphics-Board/NVIDIA/NVIDIA-GeForce-304-79-Beta-Driver.shtml
- Alternative Download Link 2: https://www.filehorse.com/download-nvidia-geforce-driver-32/14125/
- Alternative Download Link 3: https://www.computerbase.de/downloads/treiber/grafikkarten/nvidia-geforce-treiber/ (German Site, Navigate to driver)
- Alternative Download Link 4: https://www.nvidia.de/Download/Find.aspx?lang=de (German Nvidia Site, Navigate to driver)
- Alternative Download Link 5: https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/geforce-304-79-beta-driver-download.html
The filename for this driver is 304.79-notebook-win8-win7-winvista-32bit-international-beta.exe.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta offered a unified driver solution for Windows Vista, 7, and 8 users. While it brought potential performance enhancements and bug fixes, users are strongly advised to prioritize OEM-certified drivers for optimal compatibility and support. Always check your notebook manufacturer’s website for the latest recommended drivers before installing reference drivers like the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta. Remember that using a reference driver instead of an OEM-certified driver may have implications for technical support and system stability. The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 304.79 Beta represented Nvidia’s efforts to provide broad compatibility, but individual system needs should always be considered first.