The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70, released on August 30, 2016, represents a significant milestone in Nvidia’s ongoing commitment to providing gamers with the best possible experience. This driver package focuses on optimizing performance and stability for several highly anticipated game releases, while also introducing support for emerging technologies like Ansel and Virtual Reality. This article will delve into the key features and improvements offered by the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70, providing a comprehensive overview for gamers and enthusiasts alike.
A Focus on Game Ready Drivers
Nvidia has long emphasized the importance of "Game Ready" drivers. These drivers are meticulously crafted and rigorously tested in the lead-up to a major game launch. Nvidia’s driver team works diligently, often until the very last minute, to ensure that every possible performance tweak, optimization, and bug fix is incorporated. This proactive approach aims to provide gamers with the best possible day-one experience when playing their favorite new titles. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 is a prime example of this philosophy.
Optimal Experiences for Key Game Releases
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 specifically targets several high-profile game releases, promising an "optimal experience" for players. These titles include:
- World of Warcraft: Legion: The latest expansion for Blizzard’s iconic MMORPG, Legion brought significant changes to the game world and gameplay mechanics. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 was designed to ensure smooth performance and visual fidelity within this expansive and demanding environment.
- Battlefield 1: Open Beta: Before its official release, the Battlefield 1 Open Beta allowed players to experience the World War I setting and large-scale battles. This driver provided optimized performance for this beta, ensuring a stable and enjoyable experience for those testing the game.
- Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: This cyberpunk-themed action RPG offered a visually stunning and intricate world. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 was tailored to maximize performance and visual quality in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in its compelling story and gameplay.
- Quantum Break on Steam: Remedy Entertainment’s Quantum Break combined action gameplay with a compelling narrative and live-action elements. This driver optimized the game’s performance on the Steam platform, ensuring a smooth and visually impressive experience for PC gamers.
Embracing Virtual Reality
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 also expanded its support for the rapidly growing field of Virtual Reality (VR). Nvidia recognized the potential of VR gaming and sought to provide the best possible experience for VR enthusiasts. The driver offered "optimal experience" for a range of new and upcoming VR titles, including:
- NVIDIA VR Funhouse: A collection of fun and engaging VR mini-games, showcasing the capabilities of Nvidia’s VR technology.
- Everest VR: A visually stunning VR experience that allows users to virtually climb Mount Everest.
- Obduction: A Myst-like adventure game with intricate puzzles and immersive environments.
- Raw Data: An action-packed VR shooter that pits players against waves of robotic enemies.
- The Assembly: A first-person interactive story designed for VR, exploring complex moral dilemmas.
For users with VR Ready GeForce GTX 1080, 1070, and 980 Ti graphics cards, the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 unlocked the full potential of these VR experiences.
Introducing Ansel Support
One of the most exciting features introduced with the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 was support for Nvidia’s innovative Ansel technology. Ansel is a revolutionary in-game photography tool that allows gamers to capture stunning screenshots with unprecedented control and flexibility.
With Ansel, players can:
- Compose shots from any angle: Detach the camera from the player character and freely move around the game world to find the perfect perspective.
- Capture in 2D and 360°: Create traditional 2D screenshots or immersive 360° panoramas for viewing on VR headsets or mobile devices.
- Adjust with post-process filters: Apply a range of filters and effects to enhance the visual impact of your screenshots.
At the time of the driver’s release, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst was one of the first games to support Ansel. This allowed players to capture breathtaking shots of the game’s stunning cityscape and dynamic parkour action.
Powering the Ultimate Gaming Notebooks
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 also extended its support to the latest GeForce GTX 10-series GPUs powering the ultimate gaming notebooks. These new mobile GPUs delivered desktop-class performance in a portable form factor, allowing gamers to enjoy high-fidelity gaming on the go.
Driver File Information
The driver file for Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 is named: 372.70-desktop-win10-64bit-international-whql.exe. It is specifically designed for 64-bit versions of Windows 10.
Download Links
You can download the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 from the following links:
Previous Versions and Their Highlights
While the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 represented the latest advancements at the time, Nvidia has a long history of providing regular driver updates with performance enhancements and new features. Here’s a brief overview of some previous driver versions and their highlights:
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 365.19 (May 13, 2016): Focused on general performance improvements and bug fixes.
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 365.10 (May 2, 2016): Provided optimized performance for specific game titles.
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 364.51 (March 10, 2016): Introduced various bug fixes and stability improvements.
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 364.47 (March 7, 2016): Delivered the optimal experience for Tom Clancy’s The Division, Hitman, Need for Speed, Ashes of the Singularity, and Rise of the Tomb Raider.
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 361.91 (February 15, 2016): Optimized performance for ARMA 3, Street Fighter V, Monster Hunter Online, and HITMAN (Beta).
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 361.43: Added support for GameWorks VR 1.1, including VR SLI support for OpenGL applications and support for the latest Oculus SDK.
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 359.06: Provided the best gaming experience for Just Cause 3 and Rainbow Six: Siege.
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 359.00: Optimized performance for Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate and Overwatch: Beta.
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 358.91: Delivered the best gaming experience for Fallout 4, Star Wars: Battlefront, and StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 372.70 was a significant release that demonstrated Nvidia’s commitment to providing gamers with the best possible experience. With its focus on Game Ready optimizations for key game releases, support for emerging technologies like VR and Ansel, and improvements for gaming notebooks, this driver offered something for every type of PC gamer. By staying up-to-date with the latest drivers, gamers can ensure they are getting the most out of their Nvidia GeForce graphics cards.