Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 for Windows XP

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Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 for Windows XP

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 for Windows XP represents a significant update for users of older Nvidia graphics cards running on the Windows XP operating system. This driver package, certified by Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL), ensures compatibility and stability across a range of Nvidia GPUs, specifically the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, and 200 series desktop cards, as well as ION desktop GPUs. Released in the era when Windows XP was still a prevalent operating system, this driver aimed to enhance performance, introduce new features, and resolve existing issues for gamers and general users alike.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07, outlining its key features, performance improvements, supported hardware, and overall significance. While Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, understanding the capabilities of drivers like this one offers valuable insight into the evolution of graphics card technology and driver development.

Key Features and Improvements

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 introduced several noteworthy enhancements, categorized as follows:

OpenGL 3.2 Support

A key addition was the support for OpenGL 3.2 for GeForce 8, 9, 100, and 200-series GPUs and ION GPUs. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. The update to version 3.2 provided developers with access to newer features and functionalities, potentially improving the visual quality and performance of OpenGL-based applications.

Performance Enhancements in Gaming Applications

The driver package focused on optimizing performance in various gaming titles. Nvidia conducted internal testing, comparing the 191.07 drivers against the older 190.62 drivers. While results could vary depending on the specific GPU, system configuration, and game settings, the reported improvements were substantial:

  • ARMA 2: Up to a 12% performance increase.
  • Batman: Arkham Asylum (with GPU PhysX enabled): Up to an 8% performance increase.
  • Call of Juarez: Blood in Bound (with SLI enabled): Up to a remarkable 50% performance increase.
  • Fallout 3 (indoor scenes with antialiasing enabled): Up to a 14% performance increase.
  • Far Cry 2 (DX9 version with antialiasing enabled): Up to a 10% performance increase.
  • Prototype (with antialiasing enabled): Up to a 34% performance increase.

These performance gains highlighted Nvidia’s commitment to optimizing drivers for popular games, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience for users of their hardware.

SLI Support Expansion

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 expanded support for Scalable Link Interface (SLI) technology. SLI allows users to combine the processing power of multiple Nvidia graphics cards to achieve higher frame rates and improved visual fidelity in games and other graphically intensive applications. The driver added SLI profiles for several new titles, including:

  • Aion
  • Darkfall
  • Dawn of Magic 2: Time of Shadows
  • Dreamkiller
  • Fuel
  • Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim
  • Need for Speed: Shift

The inclusion of these profiles ensured that users with SLI configurations could take full advantage of their hardware in these games.

Bug Fixes

The driver package addressed several known issues, improving the overall stability and reliability of the Nvidia graphics cards. One notable fix resolved an issue where graphics cards supporting multiple clock states would not correctly revert from 3D clocks to 2D clocks after exiting a 3D application. This fix was crucial for ensuring proper power management and preventing potential overheating or performance issues. Further bug fixes were detailed in the release notes.

Enhancements Introduced in Release 190/191 Drivers

Beyond the specific changes in version 191.07, the broader 190/191 driver release brought additional capabilities:

  • DirectCompute Support: Introduced WHQL support for DirectCompute on Windows 7 with GeForce 8-series or higher graphics cards. DirectCompute is a Microsoft API that allows developers to utilize the parallel processing power of GPUs for general-purpose computing tasks.
  • PhysX System Software: Bundled PhysX System Software version 9.09.0814. PhysX is a physics engine that enhances the realism of games by simulating complex physical interactions.
  • NVIDIA 3D Vision Discover: Supported NVIDIA 3D Vision Discover, a low-cost solution for experiencing stereoscopic 3D. Users with NVIDIA 3D Vision active shutter glasses were required to download a separate 3D Vision driver.
  • CUDA 2.3 Support: Supported CUDA 2.3, improving performance in GPU Computing applications. CUDA is Nvidia’s parallel computing architecture that enables GPUs to accelerate various computational tasks.
  • User-Controlled Power Management: Introduced a new user-controlled power management setting for select GeForce 9-series and later graphics cards, allowing users to customize the performance level for each DirectX or OpenGL application.

Existing Support

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 maintained existing support for several key features:

  • Single GPU and NVIDIA SLI Technology: Supported single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL, including 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.
  • NVIDIA PhysX Acceleration: Supported NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card.
  • GeForce Plus Power Pack #3: Supported GeForce Plus Power Pack #3, offering free PhysX and CUDA applications.
  • GPU Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: Supported GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring through NVIDIA System Tools software.

Supported Products

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 was compatible with a wide range of Nvidia graphics cards, including:

  • GeForce 200 series: GTX 295, G210, GTX 275, GTX 280, GTX 285, GTS 240, GTX 260, GTS 250, GT 220
  • GeForce 100 series: GT 130, G 100, GT 140, GT 120
  • GeForce 9 series: 9600 GSO, 9600 GS, 9500 GT, 9300 GS, 9300 GE, 9400, 9800 GX2, 9800 GT, 9400 GT, 9600 GT, 9500 GS, 9200, 9300, 9800 GTX/GTX+
  • GeForce 8 series: 8200, 8300, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8600 GS, 8600 GTS, 8400 GS, 8600 GT, 8800 GTS, 8400, 8500 GT, 8300 GS, 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTS 512, 8800 GT, 8400 SE, 8800 GS, 8800 GTX
  • GeForce 7 series: 7900 GTX, 7500 LE, 7900 GS, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7550 LE, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7600 GT, 7950 GX2, 7800 GS, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 GT, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 GS, 7800 SLI, 7950 GT, 7600 GS, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7600 LE, 7900 GT/GTO, 7350 LE, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7100 GS, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7800 GTX, 7300 LE, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7650 GS
  • GeForce 6 series: 6800 GS, 6600 LE, 6250, 6800 XT, 6700 XL, 6200, 6800 GS/XT, 6800 Ultra, 6800 GT, 6800, 6500, 6150, 6200 A-LE, 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S, 6200 LE, 6200 TurboCache, 6100 nForce 420, 6600 GT, 6800 XE, 6610 XL, 6150 LE, 6600 VE, 6800 LE, 6200SE TurboCache, 6100 nForce 405, 6100, 6100 nForce 400, 6600, 6150SE nForce 430
  • ION series: ION LE, ION

Conclusion

The Nvidia Forceware WHQL Driver 191.07 for Windows XP was a valuable update for users of older Nvidia graphics cards. It brought performance improvements in gaming, expanded SLI support, resolved bugs, and introduced new features like OpenGL 3.2 support. While Windows XP is now outdated, this driver represents a significant step in the evolution of graphics card drivers and their impact on the user experience. It’s a testament to Nvidia’s ongoing commitment to supporting its hardware and providing users with the best possible performance.

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