The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 represents a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to deliver optimal gaming and virtual reality experiences to users of Nvidia GeForce graphics cards. Released on July 14, 2016, this driver package focuses on providing "Game Ready" support for the latest titles, ensuring that gamers can enjoy the best possible performance and stability from day one. This article will delve into the key features, improvements, and supported technologies included in the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10, offering a comprehensive overview for users seeking to understand its benefits and capabilities.
A Focus on Day-One Gaming Excellence
Nvidia’s commitment to delivering a seamless gaming experience is evident in their approach to driver development. Prior to the launch of highly anticipated games, the driver team works tirelessly to incorporate performance tweaks, bug fixes, and optimizations specifically tailored to those titles. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 is a prime example of this dedication. By releasing Game Ready drivers, Nvidia aims to eliminate potential issues and maximize performance, allowing gamers to dive into their favorite new releases without encountering frustrating technical difficulties.
Virtual Reality: A Central Theme
A prominent theme in the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 is its strong emphasis on virtual reality (VR) support. The driver provides the "optimal experience" for a selection of new and upcoming VR titles, including:
- NVIDIA VR Funhouse: A collection of mini-games and experiences designed to showcase the capabilities of VR technology.
- Everest VR: An immersive journey that allows users to experience the challenges and triumphs of climbing Mount Everest.
- Obduction: A Myst-like adventure game that transports players to a mysterious and captivating world.
- Raw Data: A dynamic VR shooter where players must defend against waves of robotic enemies.
- The Assembly: A first-person interactive fiction game designed for mature audiences, exploring moral dilemmas within a secretive organization.
By optimizing performance and stability for these VR titles, the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 enables users to fully immerse themselves in the virtual worlds and enjoy the full potential of their VR hardware. GeForce GTX 1080, 1070, and 980 Ti owners could download NVIDIA VR Funhouse from Steam.
Ansel Technology: Capturing Gaming Moments
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 also introduces support for Ansel, a revolutionary in-game camera tool that allows players to capture stunning screenshots from virtually any angle. With Ansel, users can pause the game, reposition the camera, apply post-processing filters, and capture images in various formats, including:
- 2D: Traditional screenshots for sharing online or saving for personal use.
- 360°: Panoramic images that can be viewed in VR headsets or on compatible platforms, providing an immersive viewing experience.
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst was the first title to support Ansel, allowing players to capture breathtaking shots of the game’s visually stunning cityscape. Ansel empowers gamers to become virtual photographers, capturing and sharing their most memorable gaming moments with unprecedented control and creativity.
Gaming Technology Enhancements
Beyond VR and Ansel support, the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 includes a range of gaming technology enhancements aimed at improving overall performance and visual quality. These include:
- G-SYNC Technology: G-SYNC synchronizes the refresh rate of the monitor with the frame rate of the graphics card, eliminating screen tearing and minimizing input lag for a smoother and more responsive gaming experience. The driver enables G-SYNC in windowed mode and offers both G-SYNC (V-SYNC on) and G-SYNC (V-SYNC off) options, providing greater flexibility for users to customize their gaming settings.
- Ultra-Low Motion Blur (ULMB): ULMB reduces motion blur in fast-paced games, resulting in clearer and more detailed visuals. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 offers support for ULMB in the NVIDIA Control Panel, allowing users to easily enable or disable the feature as needed.
- Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR): DSR allows users to render games at a higher resolution than their monitor’s native resolution, and then downscale the image to fit the screen. This technique can significantly improve image quality and detail, particularly on notebooks with discrete GeForce GPUs.
- Kepler GPU Optimizations: The driver includes optimizations and bug fixes specifically designed to improve performance on Kepler-based GPUs, ensuring that users with older hardware can still enjoy a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
Notebook Considerations
For notebook users, Nvidia emphasizes the importance of obtaining certified drivers from their notebook’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM). While the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 is a reference driver that can be installed on supported Nvidia notebook GPUs, OEMs often provide customized drivers that are specifically tailored to their hardware configurations. Nvidia recommends that notebook users check with their OEM for recommended software updates to ensure optimal performance and stability. Note that OEMs may not provide technical support for issues arising from the use of generic reference drivers.
Supported Products
While a comprehensive list of supported products was not available, the driver generally supports a wide range of Nvidia GeForce desktop and notebook GPUs. Users should consult the driver’s release notes or the Nvidia website to confirm compatibility with their specific hardware.
Previous Versions
The article lists download links for numerous previous driver versions, including:
- 365.10 (2016-05-02)
- 364.51 (2016-03-28)
- 364.51 (2016-03-10)
- 364.47 (2016-03-07) – Optimized for Tom Clancy’s The Division, Hitman, Need for Speed, Ashes of the Singularity, and Rise of the Tomb Raider.
- 361.91 (2016-02-15) – Optimized for ARMA 3, Street Fighter V, Monster Hunter Online, and HITMAN (Beta).
- 361.75 (2016-01-28) – Optimized for Rise of the Tomb Raider and Tom Clancy’s The Division (Beta).
- 361.43 (2015-12-01) – Added support for GameWorks VR 1.1.
- 359.06 – Best gaming experience for Just Cause 3 and Rainbow Six: Siege.
- 359.00 – Best gaming experience for Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate and Overwatch: Beta.
- 358.91
- 358.50
- 355.98
- 355.82
- 353.62
- 353.62
- 352.84
These links provide users with the option to revert to older drivers if they encounter issues with the latest release or if they prefer the performance characteristics of a previous version.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 is a significant release that demonstrates Nvidia’s ongoing commitment to providing gamers with the best possible experience. With its focus on VR support, Ansel technology, and general gaming enhancements, this driver offers a compelling upgrade for users seeking to maximize the performance and visual quality of their GeForce graphics cards. While notebook users should prioritize OEM-certified drivers, the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10 represents a valuable option for desktop users looking to stay up-to-date with the latest gaming technology.
Download:
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 368.81 for Windows 10
- Alternative Download: Guru3D (Please verify the file integrity after downloading from alternative sources)