This article provides comprehensive information about the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07, specifically designed for 64-bit versions of Windows 2003 and XP. This driver package caters to a wide range of Nvidia graphics cards, including the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, and 200 series desktop GPUs, as well as ION desktop GPUs. It’s a significant release that brings performance enhancements, new features, and crucial bug fixes to older systems.
Key Features and Improvements in Version 191.07
The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 offers several noteworthy updates, primarily focused on improving gaming performance and expanding compatibility.
OpenGL 3.2 Support
One of the most significant additions is the inclusion of OpenGL 3.2 support for GeForce 8, 9, 100, and 200-series GPUs, and ION GPUs. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. This update allows users to run applications and games that require OpenGL 3.2, broadening the usability of these older graphics cards.
Gaming Performance Enhancements
The driver brings noticeable performance improvements in several popular gaming titles. While the extent of these improvements varies depending on the specific GPU, system configuration, and game settings, Nvidia has provided examples of the gains observed when comparing the 191.07 driver to the previous 190.62 version. Some notable highlights include:
- ARMA 2: Up to a 12% performance increase.
- Batman: Arkham Asylum: Up to an 8% performance increase with GPU PhysX enabled.
- Call of Juarez: Blood in Bound: Up to a 50% performance increase with SLI enabled. This is a substantial improvement for users with multi-GPU setups.
- Fallout 3: Up to a 14% performance increase in indoor scenes with antialiasing enabled.
- Far Cry 2 (DX9 version): Up to a 10% performance increase with antialiasing enabled.
- Prototype: Up to a 34% performance increase with antialiasing enabled.
These performance boosts can translate to smoother gameplay, higher frame rates, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on older hardware.
Enhanced SLI Support
The driver extends SLI (Scalable Link Interface) support to a wider range of games. SLI technology allows users to combine the processing power of multiple Nvidia graphics cards for increased performance. Games receiving SLI support with this driver include:
- Aion
- Darkfall
- Dawn of Magic 2: Time of Shadows
- Dreamkiller
- Fuel
- Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim
- Need for Speed: Shift
- And more
This expanded support enables users with SLI-compatible systems to leverage the technology in more games, resulting in significantly improved graphical performance.
Bug Fixes
The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 also addresses several bugs, including a critical fix for graphics cards with multiple clock states. Specifically, the issue where 3D clocks would not correctly return to 2D clocks after exiting a 3D application has been resolved. This fix ensures that the graphics card operates at the appropriate power and performance levels, preventing unnecessary heat generation and power consumption when not actively rendering 3D graphics. Further bug fixes are documented in the release notes.
New Features in Release 190/191 Drivers
Beyond the specific improvements in version 191.07, the broader 190/191 driver release includes several other key features:
DirectCompute Support
The release incorporates WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) support for DirectCompute on Windows 7 with GeForce 8-series or higher graphics cards. DirectCompute is an API that allows developers to utilize the GPU for general-purpose computing tasks, accelerating applications beyond traditional graphics rendering.
PhysX System Software
The driver installs PhysX System Software version 9.09.0814. PhysX is a physics engine developed by Nvidia that simulates realistic physical interactions in games, such as fluid dynamics, cloth simulation, and particle effects. This update ensures that users have the latest version of PhysX for optimal performance and compatibility.
NVIDIA 3D Vision Discover Support
The driver supports NVIDIA 3D Vision Discover, a low-cost solution for experiencing stereoscopic 3D. It should be noted that users with NVIDIA 3D Vision active shutter glasses will need to download the separate 3D Vision driver, which includes the driver for the 3D Vision IR emitter.
CUDA 2.3 Support
The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 also provides support for CUDA 2.3, enhancing performance in GPU Computing applications. CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is a parallel computing platform and programming model developed by Nvidia, allowing developers to harness the power of Nvidia GPUs for a wide range of computationally intensive tasks.
User-Controlled Power Management
Select GeForce 9-series and later graphics cards (those already supporting multiple power states) gain a new user-controlled power management setting. This feature enables users to define a performance level for each DirectX or OpenGL application, allowing for fine-grained control over power consumption and performance based on individual application needs.
Existing Support
The driver also maintains support for several existing Nvidia technologies:
- Single GPU and NVIDIA SLI Technology: Supports 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: Supports dedicated GeForce graphics cards for PhysX processing, enabling more realistic physical effects in games.
- GeForce Plus Power Pack #3: Supports this pack of FREE PhysX and CUDA applications.
- GPU Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring when used with NVIDIA System Tools software.
Supported Products
The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 supports a wide range of Nvidia graphics cards, including:
- GeForce 200 Series: GTX 295, G210, GTX 275, GTX 280, GTX 285, GTS 240, GTX 260, GTS 250, GT 220
- GeForce 100 Series: GT 130, G 100, GT 140, GT 120
- GeForce 9 Series: 9600 GSO, 9600 GS, 9500 GT, 9300 GS, 9300 GE, 9400, 9800 GX2, 9800 GT, 9400 GT, 9600 GT, 9500 GS, 9200, 9300, 9800 GTX/GTX+
- GeForce 8 Series: 8200, 8300, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8600 GS, 8600 GTS, 8400 GS, 8600 GT, 8800 GTS, 8400, 8500 GT, 8300 GS, 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTS 512, 8800 GT, 8400 SE, 8800 GS, 8800 GTX
- GeForce 7 Series: 7900 GTX, 7500 LE, 7900 GS, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7550 LE, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7600 GT, 7950 GX2, 7800 GS, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 GT, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 GS, 7800 SLI, 7950 GT, 7600 GS, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7600 LE, 7900 GT/GTO, 7350 LE, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7100 GS, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7800 GTX, 7300 LE, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7650 GS
- GeForce 6 Series: 6800 GS, 6600 LE, 6250, 6800 XT, 6700 XL, 6200, 6800 GS/XT, 6800 Ultra, 6800 GT, 6800, 6500, 6150, 6200 A-LE, 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S, 6200 LE, 6200 TurboCache, 6100 nForce 420, 6600 GT, 6800 XE, 6610 XL, 6150 LE, 6600 VE, 6800 LE, 6200SE TurboCache, 6100 nForce 405, 6100, 6100 nForce 400, 6600, 6150SE nForce 430
- ION Series: ION LE, ION
Download Links
You can download the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 for Windows 2003/XP 64-bit from the following sources:
- TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/12575/
- Softpedia: (Alternative Link 1 – Check Softpedia for availability)
- Guru3D: (Alternative Link 2 – Check Guru3D for availability)
- Nvidia Driver Archive: (Alternative Link 3 – Check Nvidia’s legacy driver archive)
- FileHippo: (Alternative Link 4 – Check FileHippo for availability)
- MajorGeeks: (Alternative Link 5 – Check MajorGeeks for availability)
Please note that availability on alternative sites may vary. It is recommended to verify the file integrity and source before installation.
This driver provides a valuable update for users of older Nvidia graphics cards running Windows 2003/XP 64-bit, offering performance improvements and new features.