The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 373.06, released on October 6, 2016, marks a significant update aimed at enhancing the gaming experience for several key titles. This driver package, optimized for Windows 10 64-bit systems, promises to deliver the best possible performance and stability for gamers diving into the immersive worlds of Gears of War 4, Mafia 3, and Shadow Warrior 2. Beyond these headline games, the 373.06 driver also focuses on bolstering virtual reality experiences and introducing support for advanced in-game photography tools. This detailed examination will explore the specific improvements and features offered by this driver, providing a comprehensive overview for users considering upgrading their graphics drivers.
The Pursuit of Optimal Gaming: Game Ready Drivers
Nvidia’s "Game Ready" driver program is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing gamers with the best possible day-one experience. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 373.06 exemplifies this philosophy. The driver team works diligently right up until the launch of a new game to incorporate performance tweaks and bug fixes, ensuring that players encounter fewer technical issues and enjoy smoother gameplay from the moment they start playing. This proactive approach is particularly crucial for graphically demanding titles, where even minor optimizations can significantly impact frame rates and overall visual fidelity. With the 373.06 driver, Nvidia aimed to deliver a polished and optimized experience for Gears of War 4, Mafia 3, and Shadow Warrior 2, all of which were highly anticipated releases at the time.
Virtual Reality Takes Center Stage: VR Game Ready
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 373.06 extends its optimizations beyond traditional gaming to the burgeoning realm of virtual reality. Recognizing the unique demands of VR applications, Nvidia has included specific enhancements to ensure a fluid and immersive VR experience. The driver is designated as "VR Game Ready," indicating that it has been thoroughly tested and optimized for a range of VR titles. Specifically, the 373.06 driver provides optimal performance for several new and upcoming VR experiences, including:
- NVIDIA VR Funhouse: A collection of mini-games designed to showcase the capabilities of VR technology.
- Everest VR: A breathtaking recreation of the Mount Everest climb, offering a realistic and awe-inspiring VR experience.
- Obduction: A visually stunning puzzle adventure game from the creators of Myst.
- Raw Data: A dynamic and action-packed VR shooter that puts players in the role of a futuristic operative.
- The Assembly: A narrative-driven VR experience that explores moral dilemmas and the consequences of scientific experimentation.
By optimizing the driver for these titles, Nvidia aims to minimize latency, improve frame rates, and reduce the risk of motion sickness, all of which are crucial factors in creating a comfortable and engaging VR experience.
Ansel: Capturing Gaming Moments Like Never Before
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 373.06 introduces support for Ansel, a revolutionary in-game photography tool that allows players to capture stunning screenshots with unprecedented control and flexibility. Ansel transcends the limitations of traditional screenshotting methods, empowering users to:
- Compose shots from any angle: Ansel unlocks the camera from its fixed position, allowing players to freely move and rotate the viewpoint to achieve the perfect composition.
- Capture in 2D, 360°, and VR: Ansel supports a variety of capture modes, including standard 2D screenshots, immersive 360° panoramas, and VR-ready images.
- Adjust with post-process filters: Ansel includes a suite of post-processing filters that can be applied in real-time to enhance the visual impact of screenshots.
At the time of the driver’s release, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst was the first game to support Ansel. This allowed players to showcase the game’s vibrant and stylized world in entirely new ways, capturing breathtaking vistas and dynamic action sequences with stunning detail. Ansel represents a significant leap forward in in-game photography, giving players the tools to express their creativity and share their unique gaming experiences.
Mobile Gaming Power: GeForce GTX 10-Series Notebooks
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 373.06 also extends its support to the latest generation of gaming notebooks powered by GeForce GTX 10-series GPUs. These mobile GPUs deliver desktop-class performance in a portable form factor, allowing gamers to enjoy high-fidelity gaming experiences on the go. The 373.06 driver is specifically optimized for these notebooks, ensuring that they can take full advantage of the power and features of the GTX 10-series GPUs. This includes support for technologies like BatteryBoost, which optimizes power consumption to extend battery life during gaming sessions.
Driver Download and Technical Details
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 373.06 is specifically designed for desktop systems running Windows 10 64-bit. The filename for this driver is 373.06-desktop-win10-64bit-international-whql.exe.
You can download the driver from the official TechSpot website: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/17682/
For an alternative download option, you can also find the driver on Softpedia: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/GRAPHICS-BOARD/NVIDIA/NVIDIA-GeForce-Graphics-Driver-373-06-for-Windows-10-64-bit.shtml
A Look Back: Previous Driver Versions
The original article also included a list of download links for previous driver versions. While these links are no longer directly relevant to the 373.06 driver, they provide a historical context and illustrate Nvidia’s ongoing efforts to improve and optimize their drivers over time. These previous versions addressed specific game releases, introduced new features, and fixed various bugs and performance issues. The inclusion of this information highlights the continuous evolution of Nvidia’s driver technology.
Conclusion: A Solid Update for Gamers and VR Enthusiasts
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 373.06 represents a significant update that delivers tangible benefits for gamers and VR enthusiasts alike. With its "Game Ready" optimizations for Gears of War 4, Mafia 3, and Shadow Warrior 2, its enhanced VR support, and its introduction of the Ansel in-game photography tool, the 373.06 driver offers a compelling upgrade for users seeking the best possible gaming and VR experiences on their Nvidia GeForce GPUs. While newer drivers have since been released, the 373.06 driver remains a noteworthy milestone in Nvidia’s ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge graphics technology. The features offered by the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 373.06 made it a worthwhile update for its time.