This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta, designed for 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. These drivers are a WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) candidate, meaning they are undergoing testing to achieve official certification for stability and compatibility. They support a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, including GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, and 300-series desktop GPUs, as well as ION desktop GPUs.
Purpose and Importance of Graphics Drivers
Graphics drivers are essential software components that enable the operating system and applications to communicate with the graphics card (GPU). They translate instructions from software into commands that the GPU can understand, allowing it to render images, videos, and other graphical content on the display. Outdated or corrupted drivers can lead to various problems, including:
- Poor performance in games and other graphically intensive applications
- Visual artifacts, such as flickering, tearing, or distorted images
- System instability, including crashes and blue screens of death (BSODs)
- Incompatibility with newer software or hardware
Keeping your graphics drivers up to date is crucial for maintaining optimal system performance, stability, and compatibility.
Key Features and Improvements in Version 197.13 Beta
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta offer several enhancements and bug fixes compared to previous versions. These improvements are designed to enhance the user experience and provide better performance in various applications.
- WHQL Candidate: While not fully certified, this beta driver is a step closer to WHQL certification, suggesting a higher level of stability compared to non-candidate releases.
- Fan Speed Issue Resolution: This driver specifically addresses fan speed issues reported with the 196.75 drivers. Users experiencing problems with fan control are advised to uninstall the 196.75 drivers and upgrade to either the 196.21 WHQL drivers or this 197.13 beta version.
- Next Generation ION Support: This driver introduces support for the "Next Generation ION" platform, likely referring to an updated or improved version of the ION chipset.
- Support for New GeForce GPUs: The drivers add support for the GeForce GT 320, GeForce GT 330, and GeForce GT 340 desktop GPUs.
- PhysX System Software Update: The PhysX System Software is upgraded to version 9.10.0129. PhysX is a physics engine that enhances the realism of games by simulating physical interactions between objects, such as collisions, explosions, and fluid dynamics.
- HD Audio Driver Update: The HD Audio driver is updated to version 1.0.9.1 for supported GPUs. This update likely includes improvements to audio quality and compatibility.
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Performance Enhancements in Games: The driver provides performance improvements in several PC games compared to the 196.21 WHQL drivers. Specific 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
It is important to note that these performance improvements are examples, and actual results may vary depending on the specific GPU, system configuration, and game settings.
- Expanded SLI and Multi-GPU Support: The driver adds SLI (Scalable Link Interface) and multi-GPU support for several new 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
- Zombie Driver
- Enhanced SLI Support: The driver provides enhanced SLI support for Metro 2033, Supreme Commander 2, Unigine, and World of Warcraft.
- Ambient Occlusion Support: The driver adds Ambient Occlusion support for Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, Need for Speed: Shift, Resident Evil 5, RUSE, and Street Fighter IV. Ambient Occlusion is a rendering technique that adds depth and realism to scenes by simulating the way light interacts with surfaces.
- Override Anti-Aliasing Support: The driver adds override anti-aliasing support for Mass Effect 2. Anti-aliasing reduces jagged edges in images, making them appear smoother.
- Bug Fixes: The driver includes numerous bug fixes to address various issues and improve overall stability. Refer to the release notes for specific details on the bug fixes included in this release.
Existing Support
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta also retain existing support for various technologies and features:
- GPU-Acceleration for Adobe Flash 10.1 Beta: Supports GPU acceleration for smoother online HD videos with the Adobe Flash 10.1 beta.
- DirectCompute Support: Supports DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. DirectCompute is a technology that allows GPUs to be used for general-purpose computing tasks.
- OpenCL 1.0 Support: Supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. OpenCL is a standard for parallel programming that allows developers to use GPUs for a wide range of applications.
- OpenGL 3.2 Support: Supports OpenGL 3.2 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
- CUDA Toolkit 3.0 Support: Supports CUDA Toolkit 3.0 features and performance enhancements. CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is a parallel computing platform and programming model developed by Nvidia.
- Single GPU and NVIDIA SLI Technology Support: 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.
- NVIDIA PhysX Acceleration Support: Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card.
- GPU Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta support a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, including:
- GeForce 300 Series: GT 340, GT 330, GT 320
- GeForce 200 Series: GTX 275, 205, GT 230, GTX 295, 210, GTX 280, GT 240, GT 220, GTX 260, GTS 240, G210, GTS 250, GTX 285
- GeForce 100 Series: G 100, GT 140, GT 120, GT 130
- GeForce 9 Series: 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9400 GT, 9200, 9300, 9600 GSO, 9400, 9500 GT, 9800 GT, 9800 GX2, 9300 GE, 9300 GS, 9600 GS, 9600 GT, 9500 GS
- GeForce 8 Series: 8200, 8300 GS, 8800 GS, 8600 GS, 8400 SE, 8300, 8400, 8800 GTX, 8600 GT, 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTS 512, 8500 GT, 8400 GS, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8600 GTS, 8800 GT, 8800 GTS
- GeForce 7 Series: 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7300 GS, 7600 GS, 7350 LE, 7950 GX2, 7600 GT, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7950 GT, 7900 GS, 7100 GS, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7300 LE, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7650 GS, 7800 SLI, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7800 GTX, 7500 LE, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7900 GT/GTO, 7550 LE, 7800 GS, 7300 GT, 7600 LE, 7900 GTX
- GeForce 6 Series: 6200 LE, 6700 XL, 6800 GS, 6200 TurboCache, 6610 XL, 6800 XT, 6100 nForce 420, 6100 nForce 400, 6800 LE, 6500, 6800 GT, 6800, 6150 LE, 6150, 6200, 6600 VE, 6800 XE, 6800 GS/XT, 6150SE nForce 430, 6600 LE, 6250, 6600, 6600 GT, 6100, 6200 A-LE, 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S, 6200SE TurboCache, 6800 Ultra, 6100 nForce 405
- ION Series: ION, ION LE
Download Links
You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta for Windows XP/2003 64-bit from the following link:
Alternative Download Links:
Because drivers can sometimes be difficult to locate, here are several alternative download locations that may host the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta for Windows XP/2003 64-bit:
- Softpedia (Search "Nvidia 197.13 driver")
- Guru3D (Check their driver download section)
- DriverGuide (Requires registration, but often has archived drivers)
- Filehippo (Search "Nvidia drivers")
- MajorGeeks (Search "Nvidia drivers")
Installation Instructions
- Download the driver package from the provided link.
- Uninstall any previous Nvidia drivers from your system. This can be done through the Windows Control Panel, under "Add or Remove Programs" or "Programs and Features."
- Restart your computer.
- Run the downloaded driver package.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Restart your computer again after the installation is complete.
Important Considerations
- Beta Driver: Keep in mind that this is a beta driver, meaning it may contain bugs or stability issues. It is recommended to use this driver only if you are experiencing specific problems that it is known to address or if you want to test the new features and improvements.
- Backup: Before installing any new drivers, it is always a good idea to create a system backup or restore point. This will allow you to easily revert to your previous configuration if you encounter any problems with the new drivers.
- Compatibility: Ensure that the driver is compatible with your specific GPU and operating system. Refer to the list of supported products and operating systems provided in this article.
- Release Notes: Consult the release notes for detailed information about the changes, bug fixes, and known issues in this driver release.
- For users without US English operating systems, Nvidia provides international drivers.
By carefully considering these factors and following the installation instructions, you can ensure a smooth and successful driver update process for your Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics. The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta represents an attempt to improve system performance and stability for users with older Nvidia GPUs.