The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 381.65, released on April 6, 2017, represents a significant step in Nvidia’s ongoing commitment to providing optimal gaming experiences for its users. This driver package, designed for Windows 10 64-bit systems, carries the filename 381.65-desktop-win10-64bit-international-whql.exe and focuses on delivering performance tweaks, bug fixes, and support for the latest gaming technologies. Let’s delve into the key features and improvements this driver brought to the table.
The Philosophy of "Game Ready" Drivers
Nvidia’s "Game Ready" driver initiative prioritizes providing the best possible day-one gaming experience. The driver team works tirelessly until the very last minute before a major game release to ensure that performance is optimized, bugs are squashed, and the overall gaming experience is smooth and enjoyable. The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 381.65 exemplifies this philosophy, targeting specific titles with dedicated optimizations.
Game Ready for Quake Champions Closed Beta
A primary focus of the 381.65 driver was to provide the optimal gaming experience for the Quake Champions Closed Beta. This indicates that Nvidia engineers worked closely with the developers of Quake Champions to identify and address any performance bottlenecks or graphical glitches that might have impacted the beta experience. This involved fine-tuning the driver to work specifically with the game’s engine and graphical assets, resulting in improved frame rates, reduced stuttering, and enhanced visual fidelity.
DirectX 12 Optimizations
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 381.65 includes DirectX 12 optimizations designed to provide additional performance increases across a variety of titles. DirectX 12 is a low-level API that allows developers to have more direct control over the hardware, potentially leading to significant performance improvements compared to older DirectX versions. By optimizing the driver for DirectX 12, Nvidia aimed to unlock the full potential of this API and deliver smoother, more responsive gaming experiences. These optimizations could involve improved resource management, reduced CPU overhead, and enhanced parallel processing capabilities.
VR Game Ready for Obduction
Virtual Reality gaming continued to gain traction, and the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 381.65 catered to VR enthusiasts with optimized support for Obduction. Obduction is a visually stunning VR adventure game known for its intricate environments and immersive atmosphere. Nvidia worked to ensure that the driver delivered a smooth and comfortable VR experience in Obduction, minimizing latency and maximizing visual quality. This involved optimizing the driver for VR rendering techniques such as multi-view rendering and lens-matched shading.
Ansel Support in Mirror’s Edge Catalyst
Ansel, Nvidia’s revolutionary in-game photography tool, received enhanced support with the 381.65 driver. Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, a visually striking first-person action-adventure game, was one of the first titles to integrate Ansel technology. This allowed players to pause the game at any moment and compose their shots from any angle, capture in 2D or 360 degrees, and adjust the image with post-process filters. Ansel offered a creative outlet for gamers, allowing them to capture and share stunning in-game moments. The driver ensured seamless integration and optimal performance for Ansel within Mirror’s Edge Catalyst.
Ansel allows users to take screenshots in ways never before possible, offering unparalleled control over camera positioning, field of view, and post-processing effects. The ability to capture 360-degree images further enhanced the immersive experience, allowing users to view their creations in VR headsets.
Virtual Reality Ecosystem and VR Funhouse
Nvidia continued to invest in the virtual reality ecosystem, and the 381.65 driver reflected this commitment. GeForce GTX 1080, 1070, and 980 Ti owners were encouraged to download NVIDIA VR Funhouse from Steam. VR Funhouse is a collection of mini-games and interactive experiences designed to showcase the capabilities of VR technology and Nvidia’s hardware. By providing access to VR Funhouse, Nvidia aimed to encourage the adoption of VR gaming and provide developers with a platform to experiment with new VR concepts.
Driver Download Information
For those interested in experiencing the benefits of the Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 381.65, the official download link is available here:
You can download the latest GeForce Graphics Drivers here.
As an alternative download source, you can also find the driver available on Softpedia:
Download Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 381.65 from Softpedia
A Look Back at Previous Versions
The article also makes reference to previous driver versions, highlighting the continuous improvements and game-specific optimizations that Nvidia regularly delivers. While these older drivers may not be relevant for current games and hardware, they provide a historical context for Nvidia’s driver development process.
The article mentions several previous versions, including:
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 365.19 (2016-05-13)
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 365.10 (2016-05-02)
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 364.51 (2016-03-10)
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 364.47 (2016-03-07)
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 361.91 (2016-02-15)
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 361.43
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 359.06
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 359.00
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 358.91
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 358.87
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 358.50
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 355.98
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 355.82
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 355.60
- Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 353.62
These older drivers offered specific optimizations for titles like Tom Clancy’s The Division, Hitman, Need for Speed, Ashes of the Singularity, Rise of the Tomb Raider, ARMA 3, Street Fighter V, Monster Hunter Online, and HITMAN (Beta). They also introduced features like GameWorks VR 1.1, VR SLI support for OpenGL applications, and support for the latest Oculus SDK.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Graphics Driver 381.65 was a significant release that exemplified Nvidia’s commitment to providing optimal gaming experiences. With dedicated optimizations for Quake Champions Closed Beta and Obduction, DirectX 12 enhancements, and Ansel support in Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, this driver delivered tangible improvements for gamers and VR enthusiasts alike. The driver also highlights Nvidia’s dedication to virtual reality through the promotion of VR Funhouse. While newer drivers have since been released with even more advanced features and optimizations, the 381.65 driver remains a testament to Nvidia’s ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of PC gaming and virtual reality.