Nvidia Forceware Beta Drivers 190.38 for Windows XP 64-bit

The Nvidia Forceware Beta Drivers 190.38 for Windows XP 64-bit represent a significant update for users of older Nvidia graphics cards running the Windows XP 64-bit operating system. These drivers, while designated as beta, offer a range of enhancements, new features, and bug fixes aimed at improving the overall performance and functionality of compatible GPUs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of this driver release, including its compatibility, new features, existing support, and a detailed list of supported products.

Driver Overview

The Nvidia Forceware Beta Drivers 190.38 for Windows XP 64-bit are designed to support a broad range of Nvidia desktop GPUs, specifically the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, and 200 series, as well as ION GPUs. The purpose of a beta driver is to allow users to test the latest features and improvements before a final, stable release. This feedback helps Nvidia identify and resolve any remaining issues, ensuring a more robust and reliable experience for all users.

Key New Features in Release 190.38

This driver release includes several notable enhancements and new features:

• OpenGL 3.1 Support: The addition of OpenGL 3.1 support expands the capabilities of compatible GPUs, enabling developers to leverage the latest OpenGL features and functionalities in their applications and games. This is particularly beneficial for applications that rely heavily on 3D graphics rendering.
• CUDA 2.3 Support: CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) is Nvidia’s parallel computing platform and programming model. The inclusion of CUDA 2.3 support enhances performance in GPU Computing applications. CUDA allows developers to utilize the massive parallel processing power of Nvidia GPUs to accelerate computationally intensive tasks, leading to significant performance improvements in areas such as video editing, scientific simulations, and artificial intelligence. More information on CUDA can be found on the CUDA Zone.
• User-Controlled Power Management: A new power management setting has been introduced for GeForce 9-series and later graphics cards. This feature allows users to customize the performance level for each DirectX or OpenGL application. This level of control enables users to optimize power consumption and performance based on their specific needs and usage scenarios. For example, a user might choose to prioritize power saving for less demanding applications while maximizing performance for graphically intensive games.
• Control Panel Features and Bug Fixes: The driver includes several new control panel features, enhancing the user experience and providing more options for customization. Additionally, numerous bug fixes have been implemented to address known issues and improve stability. Detailed information on these changes can be found in the release documentation accompanying the driver.
• International Driver Availability: Recognizing the diverse user base, Nvidia provides international versions of the driver for users without US English operating systems. This ensures that users can access the driver in their preferred language, improving usability and accessibility.

Existing Support

In addition to the new features, the Nvidia Forceware Beta Drivers 190.38 for Windows XP 64-bit also maintain support for several existing technologies and features:

• DirectX Compute API Support: The driver supports Microsoft’s DirectX Compute API on Windows 7. This allows developers to utilize the GPU for general-purpose computing tasks within the DirectX framework.
• Single GPU and NVIDIA SLI Technology: The driver supports both single GPU configurations and NVIDIA SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology across DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL. SLI enables users to combine the processing power of multiple Nvidia GPUs for increased performance. The driver supports 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 includes PhysX System Software version 9.09.0428. PhysX is Nvidia’s physics engine, which adds realistic physical effects to games and other applications.
• NVIDIA PhysX Acceleration: The driver supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on dedicated GeForce graphics cards. This allows users to dedicate one card for graphics rendering and another for PhysX processing, resulting in more realistic and immersive gaming experiences.
• GeForce Plus Power Pack #3: The driver supports GeForce Plus Power Pack #3, which includes free PhysX and CUDA applications designed to showcase the capabilities of Nvidia GPUs.
• GPU Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: The driver supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring through the installation of NVIDIA System Tools software. This allows users to fine-tune the performance of their GPUs and monitor their operating temperatures to ensure stability.

Supported Products

The Nvidia Forceware Beta Drivers 190.38 for Windows XP 64-bit support a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, including:

• ION and ION LE
• GeForce GTX Series: GTX 295, GTX 285, GTX 280, GTX 275, GTX 260
• GeForce GTS Series: GTS 250
• GeForce GT Series: GT 140, GT 130, GT 120
• GeForce G Series: G210
• GeForce 9 Series: 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: 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: 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: 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

Driver Download Links:

To download the Nvidia Forceware Beta Drivers 190.38 for Windows XP 64-bit, you can use the following links:

• Primary Download Link: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/12251/

Alternative Download Links:

Because primary download links sometimes become unavailable, here are some alternative sources to potentially find the drivers:

1. Softpedia: Search for "Nvidia Forceware 190.38 Windows XP 64-bit" on Softpedia.
2. Guru3D Driver Section: Check Guru3D’s driver section for archived Nvidia drivers.
3. Nvidia Legacy Driver Search: Attempt to locate the drivers through Nvidia’s official legacy driver search page.
4. DriverGuide: DriverGuide often hosts older drivers in their archive.
5. FileHippo: Search FileHippo for the specific driver version.

Conclusion

The Nvidia Forceware Beta Drivers 190.38 for Windows XP 64-bit offer a valuable update for users of older Nvidia GPUs. With the inclusion of OpenGL 3.1 and CUDA 2.3 support, as well as the new user-controlled power management settings and numerous bug fixes, these drivers provide significant improvements in performance, functionality, and stability. While designated as beta, these drivers are worth considering for users looking to optimize their experience with compatible Nvidia graphics cards on the Windows XP 64-bit platform.