Nvidia GeForce/Ion Graphics Driver 258.96 Beta for Windows Vista/7

The Nvidia GeForce/Ion Graphics Driver 258.96 Beta for Windows Vista/7 represents a significant update for users of older Nvidia graphics cards running on these operating systems. This driver package, a WHQL-candidate release from the Release 256 family (versions 256.xx to 259.xx), aims to provide enhanced performance, new features, and bug fixes for a wide range of Nvidia GPUs.

Driver Overview: Release 256 Family

The Release 256 family of drivers encompasses a range of updates designed to optimize performance and introduce new functionalities. The Nvidia GeForce/Ion Graphics Driver 258.96 Beta for Windows Vista/7 falls within this series, building upon the improvements introduced in previous releases. These drivers are designed to support a broad spectrum of Nvidia graphics cards, ensuring compatibility for users with older hardware.

Key Features and Enhancements in Release 258.96

This specific beta release, version 258.96, brings several notable improvements and new features:

• GeForce GTX 460 Support: A primary highlight is the official support for the GeForce GTX 460 graphics card. This addition ensures that users of the GTX 460 can leverage the latest driver optimizations and features for optimal performance.

• NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround Technology: This release introduces support for NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround technology. This technology enables immersive gaming experiences across multiple displays, providing a wider field of view and enhanced realism. Please note that specific hardware and software requirements must be met to utilize this feature.

• Performance Increases in PC Games: The Nvidia GeForce/Ion Graphics Driver 258.96 Beta for Windows Vista/7 includes performance enhancements for GeForce GTX 400 Series GPUs in various PC games. These improvements build upon those already present in Release 256. The extent of these improvements will vary depending on the specific GPU and system configuration. Nvidia provided specific examples of performance gains measured with a GeForce GTX 480:

  • Up to 11% in Aliens vs. Predator (1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
  • Up to 7% in Crysis: Warhead (SLI – 1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Gamer)
  • Up to 4% in H.A.W.X (SLI – 1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Very High)
  • Up to 10% in Just Cause 2 (SLI – 1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Concrete Jungle)
  • Up to 6% in Metro 2033 (1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
  • Up to 7% in Metro 2033 (SLI – 1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
  • Up to 10% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF)
  • Up to 12% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (SLI – 1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF)
  • Up to 4% in World in Conflict (SLI – 1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF)

• Updated PhysX System Software: The driver package includes an upgrade to PhysX System Software, bringing it to version 9.10.0224. PhysX is a physics engine that enhances the realism of in-game effects, and this update likely contains bug fixes and performance improvements.

• Updated HD Audio Driver: The HD Audio driver is upgraded to version 1.0.15.0 for supported GPUs. This update may address audio-related issues and improve compatibility with various audio devices.

• Bug Fixes: This release incorporates numerous bug fixes. Detailed information regarding these fixes can be found in the release notes, accessible through the documentation tab.

Improvements Introduced in Release 256

The Release 256 drivers, which form the basis for the Nvidia GeForce/Ion Graphics Driver 258.96 Beta for Windows Vista/7, introduced several key enhancements:

• Blu-ray 3D Support: Support for Blu-ray 3D with NVIDIA 3D Vision technology was added. This allows users to enjoy 3D Blu-ray movies on their compatible systems. Hardware and software requirements apply.

• Game Performance Improvements (GTX 400 Series): Significant performance gains were reported for GeForce GTX 400 Series GPUs in several PC games. As with the 258.96 update, these improvements varied based on the game, GPU, and system configuration. Some examples of performance improvements measured with a GeForce GTX 480 include:

  • Up to 14% in Aliens vs. Predator (1920×1200 noAA/AF – Tessellation on)
  • Up to 4% in Batman: Arkham Asylum (1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF PhysX=High)
  • Up to 5% in BattleForge (1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Very High settings)
  • Up to 5% in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF)
  • Up to 4% in Crysis: Warhead (1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Enthusiast setting)
  • Up to 24% in Enemy Territory: Quake Wars (1920×1200 no AA/AF)
  • Up to 9% in Far Cry 2 (2560×1600 8xAA/16xAF)
  • Up to 25% in Just Cause 2 (2560×1600 no AA/AF – Concrete Jungle)
  • Up to 7% in Metro 2033 (1920×1200 no AA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
  • Up to 40% in Metro 2033 with SLI ((1920×1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
  • Up to 8% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (1920×1200 no AA/AF – Day)
  • Up to 110% in Stone Giant with SLI (2650×1600 – Tessellation on, DoF on)
  • Up to 6% in The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena (2560×1600 no AA/AF)
  • Up to 9% in Unigine: Tropics (2560×1600 no AA/AF – OpenGL)
  • Up to 5% in 3DMark Vantage (Performance and Extreme Presets)
  • Up to 19% with Transparency AA (1920×1200 4xTrSS – measured in Crysis)

• OpenGL 4.0 Support: The Release 256 drivers added support for OpenGL 4.0 for GeForce GTX 400 Series GPUs. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

• CUDA Toolkit 3.1 Support: Support for CUDA Toolkit 3.1 was introduced, which includes performance improvements for double-precision math operations.

• Extreme Antialiasing Modes: New extreme Antialiasing modes were added for 3-way SLI PCs, including up to SLI48x AA for GeForce 200 series GPUs and up to SLI96x AA for GeForce GTX 400 series GPUs.

• Ambient Occlusion Quality Mode: A new ‘Quality’ mode was added for NVIDIA’s Ambient Occlusion control panel feature. Ambient Occlusion enhances the realism of lighting by simulating the darkening of surfaces in crevices and occluded areas.

• SLI and PhysX Control Panel: A new NVIDIA Control Panel setup page was added for SLI and PhysX, providing more control over multi-GPU configurations.

• CUDA GPU Control: A new NVIDIA Control Panel feature allows users to choose which GPU will power each CUDA application. CUDA is Nvidia’s parallel computing architecture.

Additional Information and Supported Technologies

The Nvidia GeForce/Ion Graphics Driver 258.96 Beta for Windows Vista/7 also supports various other technologies and features:

• Adobe CS5 Acceleration: Support for GPU-accelerated features in Adobe CS5.
• Adobe Flash 10.1 Acceleration: GPU-acceleration for smoother online HD videos with Adobe Flash 10.1.
• MotionDSP vReveal Support: Support for MotionDSP’s vReveal video enhancement software.
• DirectCompute Support: Supports DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
• OpenCL 1.0 Support: Supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
• OpenGL 3.3 Support: Supports OpenGL 3.3 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
• SLI and Multi-GPU Support: Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, DirectX 11, and OpenGL, including 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.
• Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.

Supported Products

The Nvidia GeForce/Ion Graphics Driver 258.96 Beta for Windows Vista/7 supports a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, including:

• GeForce 400 Series: GTX 465, GTX 460, GTX 470, GTX 480
• GeForce 300 Series: GT 320, 310, GT 340, GT 330, 315
• GeForce 200 Series: GTX 285, GTX 280, G210, GT 220, GTX 275, GTS 240, 205, GTS 250, GTX 260, GTX 295, GT 230, 210, GT 240
• GeForce 100 Series: GT 130, GT 120, G 100, GT 140
• GeForce 9 Series: 9400, 9600 GSO, 9300 GE, 9500 GS, 9300, 9500 GT, 9600 GT, 9300 GS, 9800 GX2, 9400 GT, 9100, 9200, 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9800 GT, 9600 GS
• GeForce 8 Series: 8800 GS, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8400, 8800 GTS, 8200 / nForce 730a, 8800 GTS 512, 8600 GTS, 8500 GT, 8300, 8800 GT, 8600 GS, 8600 GT, 8400 GS, 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTX, 8300 GS, 8400 SE, 8200
• GeForce 7 Series: 7300 LE, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7800 SLI, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7600 GT, 7350 LE, 7800 GTX, 7950 GT, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 GS, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7600 LE, 7550 LE, 7100 GS, 7900 GT/GTO, 7650 GS, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7900 GS, 7500 LE, 7300 GT, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7800 GS, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7900 GTX, 7600 GS, 7950 GX2
• GeForce 6 Series: 6600 VE, 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S, 6700 XL, 6200 A-LE, 6500, 6200SE TurboCache, 6100, 6800 GT, 6150SE nForce 430, 6610 XL, 6800, 6800 Ultra, 6800 GS/XT, 6200, 6200 TurboCache, 6150, 6250, 6800 XT, 6800 XE, 6600, 6150 LE, 6800 GS, 6200 LE, 6100 nForce 405, 6600 GT, 6100 nForce 400, 6600 LE, 6100 nForce 420, 6800 LE
• ION Series: ION LE, ION

Download Links

Primary Download Link: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/14038/

Alternative Download Links:

While the primary link above provides the driver, here are some alternative sources (use with caution and verify the file integrity):

1. Softpedia: Search "Nvidia GeForce Driver 258.96" on Softpedia.
2. Guru3D: Search "Nvidia GeForce Driver 258.96" on Guru3D.
3. DriverGuide: Search "Nvidia GeForce Driver 258.96" on DriverGuide.
4. FileHorse: Search "Nvidia GeForce Driver 258.96" on FileHorse.
5. MajorGeeks: Search "Nvidia GeForce Driver 258.96" on MajorGeeks.

Note: It is always recommended to download drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website (Nvidia) whenever possible. However, given the age of this driver, it may no longer be available on their official site. Use alternative download links at your own risk and ensure you scan the downloaded file with an anti-virus program before installation. Remember to always back up your system before installing new drivers.