Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 for Windows 7 32-bit

This article provides information about the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38, specifically designed for 32-bit versions of Windows 7. This driver package is a certified release (WHQL-Certified) that supports a wide range of Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs), including the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, and 200 series desktop GPUs, as well as ION GPUs.

Key Features and Improvements in Release 190.38

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 release brings several enhancements and new features to enhance the user experience and improve performance. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant changes:

• OpenGL 3.1 Support: This driver version introduces support for OpenGL 3.1, a cross-language, cross-platform application programming interface (API) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. This update allows applications and games to leverage the latest OpenGL features, potentially leading to improved visual fidelity and performance.

• CUDA 2.3 Support: CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is Nvidia’s parallel computing platform and programming model that enables GPUs to accelerate computationally intensive tasks. The 190.38 driver release includes support for CUDA 2.3, providing enhanced performance in GPU computing applications. More details on CUDA can be found on the CUDA Zone (https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-zone).

• User-Controlled Power Management: A notable 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. It empowers users to define a specific performance level for each DirectX or OpenGL application. This allows for fine-tuning the balance between power consumption and performance based on the demands of individual applications.

• Control Panel Enhancements and Bug Fixes: The driver package incorporates several new control panel features and addresses numerous bugs reported in previous versions. The release documentation provides comprehensive information about these changes.

Existing Features and Technologies Supported

Beyond the new features, the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 maintain support for existing Nvidia technologies and APIs:

• DirectX Compute API Support: This driver fully supports Microsoft’s DirectX Compute API on Windows 7. This API allows developers to utilize the GPU for general-purpose computing tasks, taking advantage of the parallel processing power of Nvidia GPUs.

• NVIDIA SLI Technology: The driver supports single GPU configurations as well as NVIDIA SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology. SLI enables the use of multiple Nvidia GPUs in parallel to increase rendering performance. Supported SLI configurations include 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards. SLI is supported across DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL.

• PhysX System Software: The driver installs PhysX System Software version 9.09.0428. PhysX is Nvidia’s physics engine, which provides realistic physics simulations in games and other applications.

• Dedicated PhysX Acceleration: The driver supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card. This allows users to dedicate one card for graphics rendering and another for PhysX processing, resulting in more realistic physical effects in games. More information can be found on Nvidia’s PhysX page.

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

• NVIDIA System Tools Software: Users can install NVIDIA System Tools software for GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring.

Supported Products

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

• ION Series: ION, ION LE
• GeForce 200 Series: GeForce GTX 295, GTX 285, GTX 280, GTX 275, GTX 260, GTS 250
• GeForce 100 Series: GeForce GT 140, GT 130, GT 120, G210
• GeForce 9 Series: GeForce 9800 GX2, 9800 GTX+, 9800 GTX, 9800 GT, 9600 GT, 9600 GS, 9600 GSO, 9500 GT, 9500 GS, 9400 GT, 9400, 9300 GS, 9300 GE, 9300, 9200
• GeForce 8 Series: GeForce 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTX, 8800 GTS 512, 8800 GTS, 8800 GT, 8800 GS, 8600 GTS, 8600 GT, 8600 GS, 8500 GT, 8400 SE, 8400 GS, 8400, 8300 GS, 8300, 8200, 8100 / nForce 720a
• GeForce 7 Series: GeForce 7950 GX2, 7950 GT, 7900 GTX, 7900 GT/GTO, 7900 GS, 7800 SLI, 7800 GTX, 7800 GT, 7800 GS, 7650 GS, 7600 GT, 7600 GS, 7600 LE, 7500 LE, 7350 LE, 7300 SE, 7300 LE, 7300 GT, 7300 GS, 7200 GS, 7100 GS, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a
• GeForce 6 Series: GeForce 6800 XT, 6800 XE, 6800 Ultra, 6800 Series GPU, 6800 LE, 6800 GT, 6800 GS/XT, 6800 GS, 6800, 6700 XL, 6610 XL, 6600 VE, 6600 LE, 6600 GT, 6600, 6500, 6250, 6200SE TurboCache, 6200 TurboCache, 6200 LE, 6200 A-LE, 6200, 6150SE nForce 430, 6150 LE, 6150, 6100 nForce 420, 6100 nForce 405, 6100 nForce 400, 6100

Download Links

You can download the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 for Windows 7 32-bit from the following location:

• TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/12259/

Alternative Download Links

Here are 5 alternative download links for the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 for Windows 7 32-bit:

1. Softpedia: (Note: Softpedia often archives older drivers. Search their website.)
2. Guru3D: (Note: Guru3D is a reliable source, but may not host extremely old drivers. Search their website.)
3. DriverGuide: (Note: DriverGuide requires registration, but may have older driver archives.)
4. FileHippo: (Note: Check FileHippo’s driver section for archived drivers.)
5. Nvidia Legacy Driver Archive: (Nvidia may have a legacy driver archive on their website, though finding specific versions can be challenging.)

Important Considerations

• Operating System Compatibility: This driver is specifically designed for 32-bit versions of Windows 7. Ensure that your operating system meets this requirement before installation.

• WHQL Certification: The WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certification indicates that the driver has been tested and approved by Microsoft for stability and compatibility with Windows.

• Installation Instructions: Refer to the driver package’s documentation for detailed installation instructions. It is generally recommended to uninstall any previous Nvidia drivers before installing the new version.

• Backup: Before installing any new driver, it is always a good practice to create a system restore point or back up your important data. This will allow you to revert to a previous state if any issues arise during or after the installation process.

This article provides comprehensive information about the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Drivers 190.38 for Windows 7 32-bit. By understanding the features, supported products, and installation considerations, users can effectively utilize this driver to optimize the performance and stability of their Nvidia GPUs.