This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 285.79 Beta, a graphics driver released by Nvidia for Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. While initially released as a beta driver, it’s important to understand its purpose, compatibility, and how it potentially impacts the performance of your Nvidia GeForce graphics card.
Understanding Graphics Drivers
Before diving into the specifics of the 285.79 Beta driver, it’s essential to understand the role of graphics drivers. A graphics driver is a piece of software that allows your operating system and applications to communicate with your graphics card (GPU). It translates instructions from software into commands that the GPU can understand and execute, enabling the display of images, videos, and other graphical content on your monitor.
Drivers are crucial for optimal performance, stability, and compatibility. Updated drivers often include:
- Performance Improvements: Optimizations that can boost frame rates in games and improve the responsiveness of graphically intensive applications.
- Bug Fixes: Resolutions for known issues that can cause crashes, graphical glitches, or other problems.
- New Feature Support: Enablement of new features or technologies supported by the GPU.
- Compatibility Updates: Support for new games and applications, ensuring they run smoothly on your system.
Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 285.79 Beta: Key Information
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 285.79 Beta was released as a preliminary version, meaning it was intended for testing and evaluation before a final, stable release. Beta drivers often contain the latest performance enhancements and bug fixes but may also introduce new, unforeseen issues.
Unfortunately, specific details regarding the "What’s New" section of this particular driver are unavailable from the provided source material. Typically, this section would outline the specific improvements, bug fixes, or new features included in the driver. You can find additional information about this driver on GeForce.com.
Supported Products
This driver supports a wide range of Nvidia GeForce graphics cards, spanning multiple generations. This broad compatibility suggests that it was designed to provide general improvements and bug fixes across various hardware configurations. Here’s a detailed list of supported products:
GeForce 500 Series:
- GeForce GTX 590
- GeForce GTX 580
- GeForce GTX 570
- GeForce GTX 560 Ti
- GeForce GTX 560
- GeForce GTX 550 Ti
- GeForce GT 545
- GeForce GT 530
- GeForce GT 520
- GeForce 510
GeForce 400 Series:
- GeForce GTX 480
- GeForce GTX 470
- GeForce GTX 465
- GeForce GTX 460 SE v2
- GeForce GTX 460 SE
- GeForce GTX 460 v2
- GeForce GTX 460
- GeForce GTS 450
- GeForce GT 440
- GeForce GT 430
- GeForce GT 420
- GeForce 405
GeForce 300 Series:
- GeForce GT 340
- GeForce GT 330
- GeForce GT 320
- GeForce 315
- GeForce 310
GeForce 200 Series:
- GeForce GTX 295
- GeForce GTX 285
- GeForce GTX 280
- GeForce GTX 275
- GeForce GTX 260
- GeForce GTS 250
- GeForce GTS 240
- GeForce GT 230
- GeForce GT 240
- GeForce GT 220
- GeForce G210
- GeForce 210
- GeForce 205
GeForce 100 Series:
- GeForce GT 140
- GeForce GT 130
- GeForce GT 120
- GeForce G100
GeForce 9 Series:
- GeForce 9800 GX2
- GeForce 9800 GTX/GTX+
- GeForce 9800 GT
- GeForce 9600 GT
- GeForce 9600 GSO
- GeForce 9600 GSO 512
- GeForce 9600 GS
- GeForce 9500 GT
- GeForce 9500 GS
- GeForce 9400 GT
- GeForce 9400
- GeForce 9300 GS
- GeForce 9300 GE
- GeForce 9300 SE
- GeForce 9300
- GeForce 9200
- GeForce 9100
GeForce 8 Series:
- GeForce 8800 Ultra
- GeForce 8800 GTX
- GeForce 8800 GTS 512
- GeForce 8800 GTS
- GeForce 8800 GT
- GeForce 8800 GS
- GeForce 8600 GTS
- GeForce 8600 GT
- GeForce 8600 GS
- GeForce 8500 GT
- GeForce 8400 GS
- GeForce 8400 SE
- GeForce 8400
- GeForce 8300 GS
- GeForce 8300
- GeForce 8200
- GeForce 8200 /nForce 730a
- GeForce 8100 /nForce 720a
GeForce 7 Series:
- GeForce 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a
- GeForce 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a
- GeForce 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i
- GeForce 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i
- GeForce 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i
- GeForce 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i
- GeForce 7100 GS
- GeForce 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i
- GeForce 7300 SE / 7200 GS
- GeForce 7300 LE
- GeForce 7300 GS
- GeForce 7300 GT
- GeForce 7350 LE
- GeForce 7500 LE
- GeForce 7550 LE
- GeForce 7600 LE
- GeForce 7600 GS
- GeForce 7600 GT
- GeForce 7650 GS
- GeForce 7800 GS
- GeForce 7800 GTX
- GeForce 7800 SLI
- GeForce 7900 GS
- GeForce 7900 GT/GTO
- GeForce 7900 GTX
- GeForce 7950 GT
- GeForce 7950 GX2
GeForce 6 Series:
- GeForce 6100
- GeForce 6100 nForce 400
- GeForce 6100 nForce 405
- GeForce 6100 nForce 420
- GeForce 6150
- GeForce 6150 LE
- GeForce 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S
- GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
- GeForce 6200
- GeForce 6200 A-LE
- GeForce 6200 LE
- GeForce 6200 TurboCache(TM)
- GeForce 6200SE TurboCache(TM)
- GeForce 6250
- GeForce 6500
- GeForce 6600
- GeForce 6600 GT
- GeForce 6600 LE
- GeForce 6600 VE
- GeForce 6610 XL
- GeForce 6700 XL
- GeForce 6800
- GeForce 6800 GS
- GeForce 6800 GS/XT
- GeForce 6800 GT
- GeForce 6800 LE
- GeForce 6800 Ultra
- GeForce 6800 XE
- GeForce 6800 XT
Downloading the Driver
You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 285.79 Beta from the following link:
Given the age of this driver, finding it on official Nvidia channels may be difficult. Third-party driver repositories like TechSpot can be valuable resources for accessing older driver versions.
Here are some alternative download links from other sites:
- Softpedia: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/GRAPHICS-BOARD/NVIDIA/NVIDIA-GeForce-285-79-Beta-Driver.shtml
- Guru3D: (Guru3D has many drivers available for download. Searching for "Nvidia GeForce 285.79 Beta" will lead you to their download section.)
- FileHorse: (Similar to Guru3D, search for the driver version on FileHorse to find available download links.)
- DriverGuide: (Requires registration, but provides a large archive of drivers)
Important Considerations Before Installation:
- Backup Your Existing Driver: Before installing any new driver, especially a beta version, it’s crucial to back up your current driver. This allows you to revert to the previous version if you encounter problems with the new driver.
- Read Installation Instructions: Carefully read and follow the installation instructions provided by Nvidia or the download source.
- Create a System Restore Point: Creating a system restore point allows you to revert your system to a previous state if the driver installation causes instability or other issues.
- Check for Compatibility: While the driver supports a wide range of cards, ensure your specific card and operating system are fully compatible.
- Consider Driver Age: This driver is quite old. Newer drivers released since then likely contain significant performance improvements and bug fixes. Unless you have a specific reason to use this particular version, consider using the latest stable driver available for your graphics card.
Should You Install This Driver?
Given that the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 285.79 Beta is a beta release and several years old, it is difficult to give a definitive answer as to if you should install it. The installation would depend on your specific situation.
- Legacy Systems: If you have a very old system with one of the supported graphics cards running Windows Vista or Windows 7, this driver might offer better compatibility than newer drivers. However, this is not a guarantee.
- Troubleshooting: If you are experiencing specific issues with a newer driver, and you suspect the driver is the cause, this older driver could be used as a troubleshooting step. However, be aware that newer drivers generally include many important fixes and improvements.
- General Use: For most users, especially those with more modern systems, using the latest stable driver is highly recommended. These drivers contain the most up-to-date performance optimizations, bug fixes, and security patches.
In conclusion, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 285.79 Beta is an older driver intended for a wide range of Nvidia GeForce graphics cards running on Windows Vista and Windows 7. However, due to its age and beta status, users should exercise caution and consider using the latest stable drivers unless there is a specific reason to use this particular version.