The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90 represents a significant update for users of Nvidia GeForce graphics cards running on 64-bit versions of Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 operating systems. Released on January 8, 2013, this driver package, with the filename 310.90-desktop-win8-win7-winvista-64bit-english-whql.exe, focuses on enhancing the gaming experience, particularly for popular titles released around the holiday season of that year. This article will provide a detailed overview of the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90, its key features, performance improvements, and compatibility.
Overview of the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90
The primary purpose of the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90 is to optimize performance and stability for Nvidia GeForce graphics cards. Graphics drivers act as a crucial bridge between the operating system, applications (especially games), and the graphics hardware itself. They translate software instructions into commands that the GPU can understand and execute, ultimately rendering the images you see on your screen. Without the correct and up-to-date drivers, users may experience performance issues, graphical glitches, or even system instability.
Nvidia regularly releases new drivers to address bugs, introduce new features, and optimize performance for newly released games. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90 specifically targeted performance improvements in several blockbuster titles of the time.
Key Performance Enhancements
One of the most significant benefits of installing the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90 was the substantial performance boost in the then-newly released Far Cry 3. Nvidia claimed performance improvements of up to 38% in this title. This meant smoother gameplay, higher frame rates, and an overall more enjoyable gaming experience for users with compatible hardware.
Beyond Far Cry 3, the driver also included optimizations for two other popular titles: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III. Users could expect to see performance gains of up to 26% in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and up to 18% in Assassin’s Creed III. These improvements were achieved through a combination of driver-level optimizations, bug fixes, and enhancements to the rendering pipeline.
Furthermore, the driver introduced improved support for TXAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing) in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III. TXAA is an anti-aliasing technique developed by Nvidia that aims to reduce jagged edges and flickering in games, resulting in smoother and more visually appealing graphics. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90 ensured that TXAA was implemented correctly and efficiently in these games, providing a superior visual experience.
What’s New in the GeForce R310 Drivers
While the original release notes lack specific details in bulleted list format, the overarching theme of the "What’s New" section revolves around game-specific optimizations and the enhancement of visual fidelity through technologies like TXAA.
Additional Details (Based on typical Nvidia driver updates)
Although the original document does not specify, Nvidia drivers often include the following types of improvements and changes:
- Bug Fixes: Resolving issues reported by users in previous driver versions. This could include fixing graphical glitches, performance problems, or system crashes.
- Compatibility Updates: Ensuring compatibility with the latest hardware and software configurations.
- Security Enhancements: Addressing any security vulnerabilities that may have been discovered in previous drivers.
- SLI Profile Updates: Improving performance and stability for users running multiple Nvidia graphics cards in an SLI configuration.
- PhysX Updates: Enhancing the performance and stability of games that utilize Nvidia’s PhysX physics engine.
- CUDA Updates: Improving performance for applications that utilize Nvidia’s CUDA parallel computing platform.
Supported Products
Again, the original document does not list supported products. However, the driver would have supported a wide range of Nvidia GeForce desktop graphics cards available at the time of its release. This likely included:
- GeForce GTX 600 Series
- GeForce GTX 500 Series
- GeForce GTX 400 Series
- GeForce GT 600 Series
- GeForce GT 500 Series
- GeForce GT 400 Series
It’s important to note that older graphics cards may not have received the same level of performance improvements as newer cards, and some features may not have been fully supported.
Downloading and Installing the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90
The original download link for the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90 is embedded within the filename provided: 310.90-desktop-win8-win7-winvista-64bit-english-whql.exe. However, as this is an older driver, obtaining it directly from Nvidia’s website might be challenging.
Alternative Download Link:
Users can often find older drivers on third-party driver archive websites. One such site is Softpedia, which may host a copy of the driver. It is crucial to ensure that any driver downloaded from a third-party source is legitimate and free from malware.
Before installing any new driver, it’s always recommended to:
- Create a System Restore Point: This allows you to easily revert back to your previous configuration if anything goes wrong during the installation process.
- Uninstall Previous Drivers: Use the Windows Device Manager to uninstall your current Nvidia graphics driver. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated driver uninstaller tool for a cleaner removal.
- Close Unnecessary Applications: Ensure that no other applications are running during the installation process to avoid conflicts.
Once the driver has been downloaded, run the executable file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. After the installation is complete, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 310.90 was a significant release that provided substantial performance improvements for several popular games, including Far Cry 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, and Assassin’s Creed III. While it is an older driver, it may still be relevant for users with older hardware configurations or those who wish to revisit these classic games with optimized performance. As always, it’s essential to download drivers from trusted sources and follow the recommended installation procedures to ensure a smooth and trouble-free experience. This driver helped to solidify Nvidia’s reputation for providing timely and effective driver updates to enhance the gaming experience for its users.