This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows Vista/7 64-bit. This driver package is part of NVIDIA’s Verde Notebook Driver Program, designed to provide reference drivers for supported NVIDIA notebook GPUs. It’s important to understand the nature of these drivers and how they relate to your specific notebook.
Understanding the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program
The NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program offers a centralized source for driver updates for a wide range of NVIDIA notebook GPUs. These drivers are "reference drivers," meaning they are a general baseline designed to work across many different notebook models.
Important Considerations:
- OEM Certification: Your notebook’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM), such as Dell, HP, or Lenovo, typically provides customized and certified drivers for your specific notebook model on their website. These drivers are often tailored to the specific hardware configuration and thermal management of your device.
- NVIDIA Recommendation: NVIDIA strongly recommends checking with your notebook OEM for recommended software updates. The OEM drivers are often optimized for stability and performance on your specific machine.
- OEM Support: OEMs may not provide technical support for issues that arise from using NVIDIA’s reference drivers. If you encounter problems, you may need to revert to the drivers provided by your notebook manufacturer.
Pre-Installation Checklist: Ensuring a Smooth Update
Before proceeding with the download and installation of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows Vista/7 64-bit, it’s crucial to take the following steps:
- GPU Compatibility: Verify that your notebook’s GPU is listed in the "Products Supported" section below. Installing the driver on an unsupported GPU can lead to instability or malfunction.
- System Backup: It is highly recommended to back up your current system configuration. This allows you to revert to a stable state if the new driver causes issues. Instructions for creating a system backup can typically be found within your operating system’s documentation.
- Dell-Specific Update (If Applicable): If you own a Dell Inspiron 1420, Dell XPS M1330, Dell XPS M1530, or Dell Latitude D630/D630c, it’s strongly recommended to first install the specific Dell software update mentioned in the original release notes. This update may address compatibility issues and ensure a smoother driver installation process.
Release 260.99 Highlights: What’s New?
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows Vista/7 64-bit is the second WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) release from the Release 260 family of drivers. This means that it has undergone rigorous testing by Microsoft and has been certified for stability and compatibility with Windows.
Key Improvements and New Features:
- Performance Enhancements: The driver delivers performance increases compared to the previous v260.89 drivers in several popular PC games, including Civilization V (SLI configurations), Fallout 3, and Final Fantasy XIV.
- SLI Profile Additions: New SLI (Scalable Link Interface) profiles have been added for the following games:
- Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
- Fallout: New Vegas
These profiles optimize performance when using multiple NVIDIA GPUs in SLI configuration.
- Fallout 3: New Vegas Compatibility: Improved compatibility for Fallout 3: New Vegas with antialiasing enabled, addressing potential graphical issues.
- Alt-Tab Compatibility: Enhancements to Alt-Tab compatibility for various PC games, reducing the likelihood of crashes or display problems when switching between applications.
Additional Features and Component Updates
Beyond the core performance and compatibility improvements, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows Vista/7 64-bit also includes the following:
- HD Audio Driver: Installs HD Audio driver version 1.1.9.0, ensuring proper audio output through HDMI and other digital audio interfaces.
- PhysX System Software: Integrates PhysX System Software version 9.10.0514, enabling hardware-accelerated physics effects in supported games and applications.
- Adobe CS5 Support: Supports the new GPU-accelerated features in Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5), enhancing performance in applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
- Adobe Flash 10.1 Acceleration: Supports GPU-acceleration for smoother online HD video playback with Adobe Flash 10.1, reducing CPU load and improving the viewing experience.
- MotionDSP vReveal Support: Compatible with the new version of MotionDSP’s vReveal video enhancement software, which adds support for HD output. (Note: The free version available through NVIDIA supports up to SD output.)
- OpenCL 1.0 Support: Supports OpenCL (Open Computing Language) 1.0 for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, enabling GPU-accelerated computing in a wider range of applications.
- OpenGL Support: Supports OpenGL 3.3 for GeForce 8M-series and later GPUs, and OpenGL 4.1 for GeForce 400M series GPUs, providing access to the latest OpenGL features and capabilities.
Supported Products: GPU Compatibility List
This driver package is designed to be compatible with a wide range of NVIDIA notebook GPUs. However, it’s essential to confirm that your specific GPU is included in the list below.
GeForce 400M Series:
- GeForce GTX 480M, GeForce GTX 460M, GeForce GT 445M, GeForce GT 435M, GeForce GT 425M, GeForce GT 420M, GeForce GT 415M
GeForce 300M Series:
- GTS 360M, GTS 350M, GTS 250M, GT 335M, GT 330M, GT 325M, GT 320M, 310M, 305M
GeForce 200M Series:
- GT 230M, GT 240M, G210M, GTX 285M, GTX 280M, GTX 260M, GT 220M
GeForce 100M Series:
- G 110M, GT 130M, GTS 160M, G 105M, G 103M, G 102M, GT 120M
GeForce 9 Series:
- 9600 GT, 9400
GeForce 9M Series:
- 9400M G, 9650M GS, 9200M GS, 9500M GS, 9400M GS, 9800M GS, 9300M GS, 9800M GT, 9100M G, 9800M GTS, 9500M G, 9700M GT, 9600M GS, 9650M GT, 9400M, 9300M G, 9800M GTX, 9600M GT, 9700M GTS
GeForce 8M Series:
- 8800M GTS, 8600M GT, 8400M GT, 8200M G, 8800M GTX, 8800M GS, 8600M GS, 8400M G, 8700M GT, 8400M GS
Quadro FX Notebook Series:
- 5000M, FX 3800M, FX 3700M, FX 360M, FX 1600M, FX 380M, FX 370M, FX 3600M, FX 2800M, FX 2700M, FX 880M, FX 770M, FX 570M, FX 1800M, FX 1700M
Quadro NVS Notebook Series:
- NVS 2100M, NVS 5100M, NVS 3100M, NVS 150M, NVS 160M, NVS 140M, NVS 320M, NVS 130M, NVS 135M
ION Notebook Series:
- ION (Notebooks), ION LE (Notebooks)
Important Notes and Exclusions
- Hybrid Power Technology: Notebooks supporting Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported by this release.
- Sony VAIO Support: Sony has joined the Verde program by supporting the following VAIO notebooks: Sony F Series with NVIDIA GeForce 310M and Sony F Series with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M. Other Sony VAIO notebooks are not supported at this time (please contact Sony for driver support).
Download Links
Before downloading, remember NVIDIA’s recommendation to check your OEM’s website first. If you understand the risks and want to proceed with the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows Vista/7 64-bit, you can use the following links:
Alternative Download Links:
- Softpedia: (Find it by searching "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL Softpedia")
- Guru3D: (Find it by searching "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL Guru3D")
- DriverGuide: (Find it by searching "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL DriverGuide")
- MajorGeeks: (Find it by searching "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL MajorGeeks")
- FileHorse: (Find it by searching "Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL FileHorse")
Disclaimer: Use these alternative download links at your own risk. Always verify the file’s integrity and source before installation.