Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta for Windows 7/Vista

This article provides an overview of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta, designed for users running Windows 7 or Vista operating systems. This driver package supports a wide range of Nvidia desktop GPUs, including the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, and 300 series, as well as the Nvidia ION desktop GPUs. It’s important to note that this release was a WHQL-candidate driver, meaning it was undergoing final testing and review for official WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certification.

Addressing Fan Speed Issues and Driver Updates

One of the primary reasons for this driver release was to address fan speed issues that were reported with the previous version 196.75 drivers. Users experiencing these problems were strongly encouraged by NVIDIA to uninstall the 196.75 drivers and update to either the 196.21 WHQL-certified drivers or this 197.13 WHQL-candidate version. This highlights the importance of keeping your graphics drivers updated, not only for performance enhancements but also for stability and hardware functionality.

Key Features and Enhancements in the 197.13 Beta

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta release introduced several notable improvements and new features:

• Next Generation ION Support: This driver added support for the "Next Generation ION" platform, expanding the capabilities of these low-power, integrated graphics solutions.
• Support for New GeForce GT 300 Series GPUs: The release included driver support for the GeForce GT 320, GeForce GT 330, and GeForce GT 340 graphics cards, bringing optimized performance to these newer models.
• Updated PhysX System Software: The PhysX System Software was upgraded to version 9.10.0129. This update ensured compatibility and optimized performance for games and applications utilizing NVIDIA’s PhysX physics engine. PhysX allows for more realistic and interactive in-game physics, contributing to a more immersive gaming experience.
• Updated HD Audio Driver: The HD Audio driver was updated to version 1.0.9.1 for supported GPUs. This update focused on improving audio performance and compatibility for users utilizing the HDMI audio output on their NVIDIA graphics cards.
• Performance Improvements in Games: The 197.13 Beta drivers offered performance improvements in several popular PC games compared to the previous 196.21 WHQL drivers. These improvements varied depending on the specific GPU and system configuration, but some notable 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.

These performance gains demonstrate the ongoing optimization efforts by NVIDIA to improve the gaming experience for its users.

SLI and Multi-GPU Support Enhancements

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta significantly expanded SLI and multi-GPU support for a range of 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

Furthermore, the release provided enhanced SLI support for games like Metro 2033, Supreme Commander 2, Unigine, and World of Warcraft, further refining the multi-GPU experience in these titles.

Ambient Occlusion and Anti-Aliasing Support

The drivers introduced Ambient Occlusion support for several games, including:

• Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
• Need for Speed: Shift
• Resident Evil 5
• RUSE
• Street Fighter IV

Ambient Occlusion is a rendering technique that adds depth and realism to scenes by simulating the way light interacts with objects and surfaces.

Additionally, the drivers added override anti-aliasing support for Mass Effect 2, allowing users to force anti-aliasing settings even if the game itself did not natively support them, leading to smoother and less jagged edges in the game’s visuals.

Bug Fixes and International Support

The 197.13 Beta drivers included numerous bug fixes, addressing various issues reported by users. Detailed information about these bug fixes could be found in the release notes accompanying the driver package. NVIDIA also provided a separate download link for users with non-US English operating systems, enabling them to download the International driver version.

Existing Support and Technologies

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta maintained support for several existing NVIDIA technologies and features, including:

• GPU-acceleration for Adobe Flash 10.1 beta: Enabled smoother online HD video playback within the Adobe Flash 10.1 beta.
• DirectCompute: Supported DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, enabling GPU-accelerated computing tasks.
• OpenCL 1.0: Supported OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, allowing for parallel computing across the GPU.
• OpenGL 3.2: Supported OpenGL 3.2 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, ensuring compatibility with modern OpenGL applications.
• CUDA Toolkit 3.0: Supported CUDA Toolkit 3.0 features and performance enhancements, enabling developers to leverage the power of NVIDIA GPUs for general-purpose computing.
• Single GPU and NVIDIA SLI Technology: Supported both 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: Supported NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on dedicated GeForce graphics cards, allowing for realistic in-game physics effects.
• NVIDIA System Tools Software: Supported GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring through the NVIDIA System Tools software.

Supported Products

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta supported 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 from the following locations:

• TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/13341/
• Softpedia: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/GRAPHICS-BOARD/NVIDIA/NVIDIA-GeForce-ION-Graphics-Driver-197-13-Beta.shtml
• Guru3D: https://www.guru3d.com/files/get/2521
• DriverGuide: https://www.driverguide.com/driver/detail.php?driverid=1553199
• Nvidia Official Archive (if available): Check the official NVIDIA driver archive for older drivers.

Always ensure that you download drivers from reputable sources to avoid malware or corrupted files. Before installing any new driver, it’s recommended to create a system restore point. This allows you to revert to your previous configuration if you encounter any issues with the new driver. The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta provides a significant update for users of older NVIDIA graphics cards and ION platforms.