The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10 represents a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to provide gamers with the best possible experience. Released on September 21, 2016, this driver focused on optimizing performance for new game releases and virtual reality experiences, while also introducing innovative features like Ansel support. This article delves into the key features and improvements offered by this particular driver release, shedding light on why it was considered a "Game Ready" driver at the time.
Overview of the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10 was released with a specific focus: delivering the optimal day-one gaming experience for new and anticipated titles. Nvidia’s driver team worked diligently to incorporate performance tweaks and bug fixes right up until the release date, ensuring that users could immediately enjoy their favorite games with the best possible visual fidelity and performance. The driver is designed to be compatible with 64-bit versions of Windows 10. The filename for this driver is 372.90-desktop-win10-64bit-international-whql.exe.
You can download the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10 here: https://www.techspot.com/downloads/drivers/essentials/nvidia-windows-10/
Alternative Download Link: https://www.nvidia.com/download/driverResults.aspx/107270/en-us/
Game Ready Optimization
The primary focus of the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10 was to provide a "Game Ready" experience. This meant that Nvidia had specifically optimized the driver to work seamlessly with newly released games, ensuring maximum performance and stability. In particular, this release was optimized for Forza Horizon 3. This involved fine-tuning the driver to take full advantage of the game’s features and rendering techniques, minimizing potential issues, and maximizing frame rates.
Virtual Reality Support
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10 also placed a strong emphasis on virtual reality (VR) gaming. The driver was optimized to deliver the best possible experience for several new and upcoming VR titles, including:
- NVIDIA VR Funhouse: A collection of fun, interactive VR mini-games that showcased the capabilities of Nvidia’s VR technology.
- Everest VR: A breathtaking VR experience that allows users to virtually climb Mount Everest.
- Obduction: A visually stunning adventure game developed by Cyan Worlds, the creators of Myst.
- Raw Data: A dynamic VR combat game.
- The Assembly: A first-person interactive story for mature audiences, designed for VR.
This VR Game Ready designation ensured that gamers using compatible Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080, 1070, and 980 Ti graphics cards could enjoy these VR titles with smooth frame rates, low latency, and a high level of visual fidelity. Furthermore, Nvidia encouraged users to download NVIDIA VR Funhouse from Steam to experience the possibilities of VR gaming.
Ansel Technology Support
One of the most notable features of the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10 was its support for Ansel technology. Ansel is a powerful in-game photography tool developed by Nvidia that allows gamers to capture stunning, high-resolution screenshots from virtually any angle.
With Ansel, users can:
- Compose shots from any angle: Break free from the limitations of traditional in-game cameras and position the camera anywhere within the game world.
- Capture in 2D and 360°: Create standard 2D screenshots or immersive 360° images for VR viewing.
- Apply post-process filters: Adjust the visual appearance of screenshots with a variety of post-processing effects, such as brightness, contrast, and color correction.
At the time of the driver’s release, Ansel was supported in Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, allowing players to capture breathtaking and artistic shots of the game’s vibrant world. The integration of Ansel demonstrated Nvidia’s commitment to providing gamers with creative tools to enhance their gaming experience.
Support for GeForce GTX 10-Series Notebooks
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10 also extended its support to the new GeForce GTX 10-series GPUs powering the latest gaming notebooks. This ensured that gamers on the go could enjoy the same level of performance and features as their desktop counterparts. The GeForce GTX 10-series notebooks offered a significant leap in performance compared to previous generations, bringing desktop-class gaming capabilities to a portable form factor.
A Look Back at Previous Versions
The original article also included a list of download links for previous versions of Nvidia GeForce Graphics Drivers. These links are not included here, as this article focuses specifically on the features and benefits of the 372.90 release. However, it’s worth noting that Nvidia regularly releases new drivers to address bugs, improve performance, and add support for new games and technologies.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.90 for Windows 10 was a significant release that focused on optimizing the gaming experience for new titles, enhancing VR performance, and introducing innovative features like Ansel support. By providing "Game Ready" drivers, Nvidia demonstrated its commitment to ensuring that gamers could enjoy the latest games with the best possible performance and visual fidelity. The driver also highlighted Nvidia’s dedication to supporting emerging technologies like virtual reality and providing creative tools for gamers to express themselves. While newer drivers have since been released, the 372.90 version remains a notable milestone in the evolution of Nvidia’s GeForce graphics drivers.