Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 for Windows Vista 32-bit

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38, specifically designed for 32-bit versions of Windows Vista. This driver package is a significant update for users of GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, and 200-series desktop GPUs, as well as ION GPUs. It introduces several key enhancements, bug fixes, and new features aimed at improving performance, stability, and user experience.

What are WHQL Drivers?

Before diving into the specifics of the 190.38 release, it’s important to understand what WHQL certification means. WHQL stands for Windows Hardware Quality Labs. Drivers that are WHQL-certified have undergone rigorous testing by Microsoft to ensure compatibility and stability with the Windows operating system. This certification assures users that the drivers are less likely to cause system crashes or other issues. Installing WHQL-certified drivers is generally recommended for optimal system performance and reliability.

New Features and Improvements in Release 190.38

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 package brings several notable improvements and new functionalities:

• OpenGL 3.1 Support: This release adds support for OpenGL 3.1, a significant update to the OpenGL graphics API. OpenGL 3.1 enables developers to utilize the latest graphics features and optimizations, leading to improved visual fidelity and performance in applications and games that leverage this API.

• CUDA 2.3 Support: CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is Nvidia’s parallel computing platform and programming model. Version 2.3 brings improved performance in GPU Computing applications. CUDA allows developers to harness the power of Nvidia GPUs to accelerate computationally intensive tasks, such as video encoding, scientific simulations, and artificial intelligence. For more information on CUDA, users can visit the CUDA Zone on the Nvidia website.

• User-Controlled Power Management: A significant addition in this release is a new user-controlled power management setting. This feature is available for select GeForce 9-series and later graphics cards that already support multiple power states. Users can now customize the performance level of their graphics card for each DirectX or OpenGL application. This allows for a balance between performance and power consumption, potentially reducing heat and noise when running less demanding applications.

• Control Panel Enhancements and Bug Fixes: The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 include several new control panel features, providing users with more control over their graphics card settings. Additionally, numerous bug fixes are incorporated to address issues reported by users in previous driver versions, contributing to a more stable and reliable experience. Detailed information about these changes can be found in the release documentation accompanying the driver package.

Existing Support

Beyond the new features, the 190.38 drivers continue to support a range of existing technologies and features:

• DirectX Compute API Support: The drivers support Microsoft’s DirectX Compute API on Windows 7. This API allows developers to utilize the GPU for general-purpose computing tasks, similar to CUDA.

• NVIDIA SLI Technology: The drivers support single GPU and NVIDIA SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology across DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL. SLI allows users to combine the processing power of multiple Nvidia graphics cards for increased performance. The drivers support various SLI configurations, including 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.

• PhysX System Software: The driver package installs PhysX System Software version 9.09.0428. PhysX is Nvidia’s physics engine, which enables realistic physical effects in games.

• Dedicated PhysX Acceleration: The drivers support NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card. Users can dedicate one card for graphics rendering and another for PhysX processing, leading to more detailed and realistic physical effects in games that utilize PhysX.

• GeForce Plus Power Pack: The drivers support GeForce Plus Power Pack #3, which includes free PhysX and CUDA applications.

• GPU Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: The drivers support GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring when used with NVIDIA System Tools software. This allows users to monitor the performance and thermal characteristics of their graphics card and potentially overclock it for increased performance.

Supported Products

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 support a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, including:

• ION and ION LE
• GeForce 6 Series: From the high-end GeForce 6800 Ultra to the entry-level GeForce 6100.
• GeForce 7 Series: Spanning from the GeForce 7950 GX2 to the GeForce 7025.
• GeForce 8 Series: Encompassing the GeForce 8800 Ultra to the GeForce 8100 / nForce 720a.
• GeForce 9 Series: Including the GeForce 9800 GX2 to the GeForce 9200.
• GeForce 100 Series: GeForce GT 140, GT 130, GT 120, and G210.
• GeForce 200 Series: From the flagship GeForce GTX 295 to the GeForce GTX 260 and GTS 250.

A complete list of supported products is provided in the original article.

Downloading and Installing the Drivers

To download the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 for Windows Vista 32-bit, you can visit the following link:

Driver Download Link

Alternative Download Links:

While the above link is a primary source, here are a few alternative download locations for the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38, in case the main link is unavailable or experiencing issues:

1. Softpedia: (https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/Graphics-Board/Nvidia/NVIDIA-GeForce-190-38-Beta-for-Windows-Vista.shtml)
2. Guru3D: (Check their driver archive for older drivers)
3. Filehippo: (Check their driver archive for older drivers)
4. MajorGeeks: (Check their driver archive for older drivers)
5. DriverGuide: (Requires registration, but can be a useful resource).

Installation Instructions:

1. Download the driver package from the provided link.
2. Double-click the downloaded file to begin the installation process.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
4. It is recommended to restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Important Considerations:

• Before installing new drivers, it’s always a good idea to back up your existing drivers or create a system restore point. This allows you to easily revert to the previous drivers if you encounter any issues with the new ones.
• Ensure that you download the correct driver package for your operating system (Windows Vista 32-bit) and graphics card.
• If you are upgrading from a previous driver version, it is recommended to uninstall the old drivers before installing the new ones. You can do this through the Windows Control Panel.

Conclusion

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 for Windows Vista 32-bit represent a significant update for users of older Nvidia GPUs. With the addition of OpenGL 3.1 support, CUDA 2.3 improvements, user-controlled power management, and numerous bug fixes, this driver package offers enhanced performance, stability, and control. By following the download and installation instructions provided in this article, users can take advantage of the latest features and improvements offered by Nvidia.