This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45, specifically designed for the Windows XP 64-bit operating system. This driver package is a WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certified release, ensuring its stability and compatibility with a wide range of Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs). It caters to users utilizing older hardware, specifically those with GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, and 300-series desktop GPUs, as well as ION desktop GPUs. Installing the appropriate graphics driver is crucial for optimal performance, stability, and access to the latest features supported by your graphics card.
Key Features and Improvements in Driver Version 197.45
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows XP 64-bit brings several improvements and new features to enhance the user experience. Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:
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Adobe CS5 Optimization: This driver version is recommended for users of Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5). It is designed to optimize performance and leverage the GPU-accelerated features within the Adobe CS5 suite of applications. This results in smoother workflows and faster rendering times for tasks like video editing and graphic design.
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MotionDSP vReveal Support: The driver introduces support for the latest version of MotionDSP’s video enhancement software, vReveal. vReveal is a tool used to improve the quality of videos, particularly those taken with mobile devices or in low-light conditions. With this driver, vReveal can take advantage of the GPU for faster and more efficient video processing.
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Media Player Classic Fix: A notable fix included in this release addresses a video playback issue encountered in Media Player Classic, a popular open-source media player. This ensures smoother and more reliable video playback within the application.
Existing Support in Release 197 Drivers
Beyond the specific changes introduced in the 197.45 update, the release 197 drivers include a range of existing features and support for various technologies. These include:
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Next Generation ION Support: The driver package provides support for Next Generation ION GPUs, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.
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GeForce GT 300 Series Support: Explicit support is included for the GeForce GT 320, GeForce GT 330, and GeForce GT 340 graphics cards.
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PhysX System Software Upgrade: The driver upgrades the PhysX System Software to version 9.10.0129. PhysX is a physics engine that adds realistic physical effects to games, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
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HD Audio Driver Upgrade: For supported GPUs, the HD Audio driver is upgraded to version 1.0.9.1, ensuring proper audio output through the graphics card’s HDMI or DisplayPort connections.
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Performance Improvements in Games: This driver version offers performance improvements in several PC games compared to the previous 196.21 WHQL release. These improvements vary depending on the GPU and system configuration but can be significant. Examples include:
- Up to 13% performance increase in Crysis: Warhead with a single GPU.
- Up to 30% performance increase in Crysis: Warhead with SLI technology.
- Up to 13% performance increase in H.A.W.X with a single GPU.
- Up to 15% performance increase in H.A.W.X with SLI technology.
- Up to 30% performance increase in Left 4 Dead with a single GPU.
- Up to 28% performance increase in Left 4 Dead with SLI technology.
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SLI and Multi-GPU Support: The driver adds or enhances SLI (Scalable Link Interface) and multi-GPU support for several popular gaming titles, including Assassin’s Creed II, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Command and Conquer 4: Tiberium Twilight, Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City, Mass Effect 2, Napoleon: Total War, and Zombie Driver. Enhanced SLI support is also provided for Metro 2033, Supreme Commander 2, Unigine, and World of Warcraft.
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Ambient Occlusion Support: Ambient Occlusion (AO) is a rendering technique that adds depth and realism to scenes by simulating the way light interacts with surfaces. This driver adds AO support for Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, Need for Speed: Shift, Resident Evil 5, RUSE, and Street Fighter IV.
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Override Anti-Aliasing Support: The driver adds override anti-aliasing support for Mass Effect 2, allowing users to force anti-aliasing even if the game doesn’t natively support it.
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Bug Fixes: The driver includes numerous bug fixes to address various issues and improve overall stability. Refer to the release notes for a detailed list of fixes.
Other Supported Technologies
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows XP 64-bit also provides support for several other technologies:
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GPU-Accelerated Adobe Flash 10.1: Supports GPU acceleration for smoother online HD video playback with Adobe Flash 10.1.
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DirectCompute: Supports DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
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OpenCL 1.0: Supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
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OpenGL 3.2: Supports OpenGL 3.2 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
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CUDA Toolkit 3.0: Supports CUDA Toolkit 3.0 features and performance enhancements. CUDA is a parallel computing platform and programming model developed by Nvidia.
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NVIDIA SLI Technology: Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL, including 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.
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NVIDIA PhysX Acceleration: Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card, allowing users to dedicate one card for graphics and another for PhysX processing.
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NVIDIA System Tools Software: Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 supports a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, including:
- GeForce 300 Series: GT 320, GT 340, GT 330
- GeForce 200 Series: GT 240, GTS 240, GTX 275, GTX 285, GTX 280, GTS 250, 205, GTX 260, 210, GT 230, GT 220, G210, GTX 295
- GeForce 100 Series: GT 120, GT 130, GT 140, G 100
- GeForce 9 Series: 9300 GE, 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9600 GT, 9100, 9400 GT, 9300, 9600 GSO, 9200, 9400, 9800 GX2, 9600 GS, 9500 GT, 9500 GS, 9800 GT, 9300 GS
- GeForce 8 Series: 8300 GS, 8400 SE, 8300, 8600 GS, 8400 GS, 8800 GTS, 8800 GT, 8800 GTS 512, 8200, 8800 Ultra, 8500 GT, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8800 GTX, 8800 GS, 8200 / nForce 730a, 8600 GT, 8400, 8600 GTS
- GeForce 7 Series: 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7800 SLI, 7650 GS, 7100 GS, 7600 GS, 7800 GS, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 GS, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7950 GX2, 7950 GT, 7300 GT, 7800 GTX, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7600 GT, 7900 GS, 7900 GT/GTO, 7300 LE, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7900 GTX, 7600 LE
- GeForce 6 Series: 6800 LE, 6800 XE, 6610 XL, 6150 LE, 6800 GS, 6200SE TurboCache, 6200, 6200 LE, 6800 Ultra, 6150SE nForce 430, 6100, 6200 TurboCache, 6600 LE, 6500, 6100 nForce 420, 6800, 6150, 6600, 6800 GT, 6200 A-LE, 6800 XT, 6700 XL, 6250, 6600 GT, 6100 nForce 405, 6100 nForce 400, 6600 VE, 6800 GS/XT
- ION Series: ION, ION LE
Downloading the Driver
You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows XP 64-bit from the following link:
Download Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows XP 64-bit
Here are 5 alternative download links for the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows XP 64-bit:
- Softpedia: (Check their driver database for archived versions)
- DriverGuide: (Requires registration, but may have older drivers)
- Nvidia Legacy Drivers Archive: (Search the Nvidia website for older drivers)
- Guru3D Driver Section: (A popular forum with driver archives)
- FileHippo: (Check their driver database for archived versions)
Note: It is always recommended to download drivers from the official Nvidia website or reputable sources to avoid malware or corrupted files. However, given the age of this driver, finding it on the official website might be challenging. Ensure you scan any downloaded files with an antivirus program before installation. When dealing with older drivers, compatibility issues may arise. It’s advisable to create a system restore point before installing new drivers, allowing you to revert to a previous state if necessary. The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 is a crucial update for users with compatible hardware seeking to optimize their system’s performance and stability.