Nvidia ForceWare WHQL Drivers 182.08 for Windows XP

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nvidia ForceWare WHQL Drivers 182.08, specifically designed for Windows XP operating systems. These drivers cater to a wide range of Nvidia GeForce desktop GPUs, spanning from the 6 series to the 200 series. This release offers performance enhancements, new features, and expanded compatibility, making it a worthwhile upgrade for users with supported hardware.

Key Highlights of Release 182.08

The 182.08 release of Nvidia ForceWare drivers brings several notable improvements and additions:

• GeForce GTS 250 Support: A primary feature of this release is the official support for the GeForce GTS 250 graphics card. This ensures optimal performance and stability for users of this particular GPU.
• SLI Profile Updates: The drivers include updated SLI (Scalable Link Interface) profiles for newly released games. SLI technology allows users to combine the processing power of multiple Nvidia GPUs for increased performance, especially at higher resolutions and detail settings. These updated profiles ensure that the benefits of SLI are realized in the latest gaming titles.
• Bug Fixes: The release incorporates a variety of bug fixes addressing issues identified in previous driver versions. Detailed information regarding these fixes can be found in the official release documentation notes provided by Nvidia.
• International Driver Availability: Recognizing the global user base, Nvidia provides international versions of the drivers, catering to users with non-US English operating systems. These localized versions ensure proper functionality and compatibility across different language settings.

Performance Enhancements in Release 182

The 182 series of drivers, which culminates in the 182.08 release, focuses on improving performance across a range of 3D applications. Nvidia specifically highlights the following performance gains when comparing the 182 WHQL drivers to the previous 181.22 WHQL drivers:

• F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin Optimization: These drivers are specifically recommended for users seeking the best possible experience in F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, suggesting significant performance improvements or bug fixes related to the game.
• Fallout 3: Up to an 8% performance increase at high resolution and with anti-aliasing (AA) enabled.
• F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin: Up to a 10% performance increase.
• Half-Life 2: Up to a 9% performance increase at high resolution with AA.
• Left 4 Dead: Up to an 11% performance increase at high resolution with AA.
• Race Driver: GRID: Up to a 10% performance increase at high resolution with AA.

It’s crucial to note that these performance improvements are indicative and can vary based on individual GPU models, system configurations, and in-game settings.

OpenGL 3.0 and PhysX Support

The Nvidia ForceWare WHQL Drivers 182.08 also include significant technological advancements:

• OpenGL 3.0 Support: The drivers provide full support for OpenGL 3.0 on GeForce 8-series, 9-series, and 200-series GPUs. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. OpenGL 3.0 introduced several new features and improvements, allowing developers to create more visually stunning and complex applications.
• PhysX System Software: The drivers automatically install PhysX System Software version 9.09.0203. PhysX is a physics engine developed by Nvidia that enables realistic physics effects in games. By dedicating a GeForce graphics card to PhysX processing, users can experience enhanced visual fidelity and more immersive gameplay. GPU PhysX is supported on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series, and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB of dedicated graphics memory.

Existing Support and Features

In addition to the new features and performance improvements, the 182.08 drivers retain support for existing Nvidia technologies:

• Single GPU and SLI Technology: Supports both single GPU configurations and Nvidia SLI technology on DirectX 9 and OpenGL. This includes SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.
• Dedicated PhysX Acceleration: Allows for the dedication of a separate GeForce graphics card for PhysX processing, offloading the physics calculations from the CPU and primary GPU.
• GeForce Plus Power Pack #2: Supports the GeForce Plus Power Pack #2, which includes free PhysX and CUDA applications.
• CUDA Support: Provides support for CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture), Nvidia’s parallel computing platform and programming model.
• GPU Overclocking and Monitoring: Enables GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring through the installation of Nvidia System Tools software.

It’s important to note that certain SLI features, such as Quad SLI, 3-way SLI, Hybrid SLI, and SLI multi-monitor support, are exclusively supported on Windows Vista.

Supported Graphics Cards

The Nvidia ForceWare WHQL Drivers 182.08 are compatible with a broad range of Nvidia GeForce desktop GPUs, including:

• GeForce GTX Series: GTX 295, GTX 285, GTX 280, GTX 260
• GeForce GTS Series: GTS 250
• GeForce GT Series: GT 140, GT 130, GT 120
• 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

Downloading the Drivers

The Nvidia ForceWare WHQL Drivers 182.08 for Windows XP can be downloaded from the following link:

Driver Download Link

Alternative Download Links:

Due to the age of these drivers, official sources may be unavailable. Here are a few alternative download locations. Please exercise caution when downloading from unofficial sources and ensure you have appropriate virus protection.

1. Softpedia: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/Graphics-Board/NVIDIA/NVIDIA-GeForce-ForceWare-182-08-for-Windows-XP.shtml
2. Guru3D: (Check their driver archives – you may need to search for "182.08") https://www.guru3d.com/files/categories/videocards_nvidia_geforcevista%7C_7.html
3. DriverGuide: (Requires registration) https://www.driverguide.com/
4. FileHorse: (Search for the specific driver version) https://www.filehorse.com/
5. archive.org: (Sometimes hosts older driver versions) https://archive.org/

Conclusion

The Nvidia ForceWare WHQL Drivers 182.08 represent a significant update for users of older Nvidia GeForce GPUs on Windows XP. With its focus on performance enhancements, new features like GeForce GTS 250 support and updated SLI profiles, and continued support for existing Nvidia technologies, this driver release offers a compelling upgrade for those seeking to maximize the performance and stability of their systems. The improvements for games like F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin, Fallout 3, and Left 4 Dead make it a worthy consideration for gamers still running Windows XP.