This article provides an overview of the Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 for Linux 64-bit, a driver package released by Nvidia to enhance the performance and functionality of their graphics cards on Linux operating systems. This particular release brought several key updates, including support for new GPUs, bug fixes, and enhanced features for professional and enthusiast users alike. Understanding the capabilities and compatibility of these drivers is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and stability of Nvidia graphics hardware within a Linux environment.
Key Updates and Features in Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29
The Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 for Linux 64-bit included several significant improvements and new features designed to enhance the user experience. These updates can be broadly categorized into hardware support, bug fixes, and feature enhancements.
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Expanded GPU Support: This release expanded the range of supported Nvidia GPUs, including the following models:
- GeForce GTX 460 SE
- GeForce GTX 570
- Quadro 5000M
- NVS 300
This expansion ensured that users with these newly released or less common GPUs could leverage the latest driver optimizations and features.
- OpenGL Application Unresponsiveness Fix: A notable bug fix addressed an issue that caused some OpenGL applications to become unresponsive. Specifically, users reported instances where applications would freeze for up to a minute when the screen resolution or refresh rate was changed. This update resolved this issue, providing a smoother and more responsive user experience for those working with OpenGL-based software.
- NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro Support: This release introduced support for NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro, a professional-grade 3D visualization solution. This allowed professionals in fields such as design, engineering, and scientific visualization to take advantage of high-quality stereoscopic 3D capabilities within their Linux environments. Detailed documentation on configuring and utilizing this feature was provided in the "Stereo" section of the driver’s README file.
- "3DVisionProConfigFile" X Configuration Option: To further enhance the NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro experience, the Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 introduced a new X configuration option called "3DVisionProConfigFile". This option allows users to specify a filename that the Nvidia X driver would use to store 3D Vision Pro configuration settings. This provides greater control and customization options for users working with 3D Vision Pro. More information on this option can be found in "Appendix B. X Config Options" within the driver’s README file.
Supported Products
The Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 for Linux 64-bit supported a wide range of Nvidia graphics cards, spanning multiple generations. Here is a comprehensive list of the supported products:
GeForce Series:
- GeForce 500 Series: GTX 570, GTX 580
- GeForce 400 Series: GTX 465, GTX 470, GTX 460 SE, GTX 460, GTX 480, GTS 450, GT 430
- GeForce 400M Series: GT 435M, GTX 460M, GT 415M, GTX 480M, GT 425M, GT 420M
- GeForce 300 Series: 310, GT 330, GT 320, GT 340, 315
- GeForce 300M Series: GT 320M, GTS 350M, GT 330M, 305M, GT 335M, GTS 360M, GT 325M, 310M
- GeForce 200 Series: GT 230, GTS 250, GT 240, GT 220, GTX 295, GTX 280, GTX 260, GTS 240, GTX 285, GTX 275, 205, G210
- GeForce 200M Series: GT 230M, GTX 285M, GTX 280M, GTX 260M, GT 220M, GT 240M, GTS 260M, G210M, GTS 250M
- GeForce 100 Series: GT 120, GT 140, GT 130, G 100
- GeForce 100M Series: G 102M, GT 130M, G 105M, GTS 160M, GTS 150M, G 110M, G 103M, GT 120M
- GeForce 9 Series: 9200, 9600 GSO 512, 9300 / nForce 730i, 9300 GS, 9800 GT, 9500 GT, 9500 GS, 9300 SE, 9300, 9800 GX2, 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9100, 9600 GT, 9600 GSO, 9800 GTX+, 9400, 9300 GE, 9400 GT, 9600 GS, 9650 S
- GeForce 9M Series: 9400M G, 9600M GS, 9200M GS, 9800M GS, 9500M GS, 9400M, 9700M GT, 9100M G, 9600M GT, 9700M GTS, 9300M GS, 9800M GTS, 9650M GT, 9800M GT, 9500M G, 9800M GTX, 9650M GS, 9300M G
- GeForce 8 Series: 8800 GTS 512, 8300, 8200, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8600 GTS, 8800 GT, 8800 Ultra, 8300 GS, 8600 GS, 8400 GS, 8800 GTS, 8800 GTX, 8400, 8400 SE, 8500 GT, 8800 GS
- GeForce 8M Series: 8400M GT, 8800M GTS, 8600M GS, 8600M GT, 8200M G, 8400M GS, 8700M GT, 8400M G, 8800M GTX
- GeForce 7 Series: 7950 GX2, 7000M /NVIDIA nForce 610M, 7900 GT/GTO, 7150M /NVIDIA nForce 630M, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7800 GTX, 7600 GT, 7800 SLI, 7900 GS, 7650 GS, 7950 GT, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7300 GT, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7350 LE, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7600 GS, 7300 LE, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7300 GS, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7800 GS, 7900 GTX, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7050 / nForce 620i, 7100 GS, 7800 GT, 7500 LE, 7600 LE, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a
- GeForce Go 7 Series: Go 7800, Go 7800 GTX, Go 7950 GTX, Go 7600 GT, Go 7700, Go 7200, Go 7900 GS, Go 7400, Go 7600, Go 7300
- GeForce 6 Series: 6250, 6200 TurboCache, 6800 GS, 6150 LE, 6800, 6800 Ultra, 6610 XL, 6200 LE, 6100, 6500, 6800 GT, 6200SE TurboCache, 6800 XE, 6100 nForce 420, 6100 nForce 405, 6600, 6600 VE, 6600 LE, 6200 A-LE, 6150SE nForce 430, 6200, 6800 XT, 6100 nForce 400, 6600 GT, 6150, 6700 XL, 6800 LE
NVS Series:
- NVS 300
- NVS 290, NVS 450, NVS 440, NVS 420, NVS 285, NVS 210S / 6150LE, NVS 295
- Quadro NVS Notebook series: NVS 320M, NVS 135M, NVS 130M, NVS 140M, NVS 120M, NVS 510M, NVS 150M, NVS 110M, NVS 160M
Quadro Series:
- 2000, 5000, 600, 6000, 4000
Quadro FX Series:
- FX 3700, FX 1700, FX 1800, FX 4600, FX 380, FX 550, FX 560, FX 5800, FX 3500, FX 380 LP, FX 1400, FX 3800, FX 4800, FX 370 Low Profile, FX 1500, FX 580, FX 570, FX 4500, FX 5500, CX, FX 3400/4400, FX 350, FX 3450/4000 SDI, FX 540, FX 4700 X2, FX Go1400, FX 4500 X2, FX 370, FX 4000, FX 5600
Quadro Notebook Series:
- 5000M
Quadro FX Notebook Series:
- FX 880M, FX 1600M, FX 1700M, FX 2500M, FX 380M, FX 3600M, FX 3800M, FX 370M, FX 570M, FX 770M, FX 2800M, FX 540M, FX 360M, FX 1500M, FX 560M, FX 350M, FX 3700M, FX 1800M, FX 2700M
Quadro Plex Series:
- Model II, Model IV, D Series
Quadro G-Sync Series:
- G-Sync II
Quadro SDI Series:
- Quadro SDI
1U System:
- Tesla M2070, Tesla M2050, Tesla S2050, Tesla M1060, Tesla M2070-Q, T10 Processor
ION Series:
- ION, ION LE
GPU Computing Processor Series:
- Tesla C2070, Tesla C1060, Tesla C2050, Tesla C870
Downloading the Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 for Linux 64-bit
The Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 for Linux 64-bit can be downloaded from the following link:
Alternative Download Links:
Due to the age of this driver release, official download links from Nvidia may no longer be readily available. Here are some alternative sources where you might find the driver:
- Softpedia: Check Softpedia’s driver archive for Nvidia drivers.
- DriverGuide: DriverGuide can be a useful resource for locating older drivers.
- Guru3D: Guru3D often hosts a collection of drivers, including older releases.
- Linux Distributions Repositories: Check your specific Linux distribution’s driver repositories, as they may contain older Nvidia driver packages.
- Nvidia Developer Zone: The Nvidia Developer Zone may have archived drivers available for download.
Installation and Configuration
The installation process for Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 on Linux 64-bit typically involves downloading the driver package, stopping the X server, and running the installer script. Detailed instructions are usually provided in the driver’s README file, which is included in the downloaded package.
Configuration options, including those for NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro, can be adjusted through the nvidia-settings utility or by manually editing the X configuration file (xorg.conf). As mentioned earlier, the "3DVisionProConfigFile" X configuration option provides further customization for 3D Vision Pro users. The proper installation of Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 is very important.
Conclusion
The Nvidia Display Drivers 260.19.29 for Linux 64-bit represented a significant update, bringing support for new GPUs, addressing critical bug fixes, and introducing enhanced features like NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro support. While this release is now several years old, it remains relevant for users with older Nvidia hardware or specific software compatibility requirements. Understanding the features, supported products, and installation process for these drivers is essential for maximizing the performance and stability of Nvidia graphics cards on Linux systems.