The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M/GTX 970M Graphics Driver 344.24 represents a significant release aimed at optimizing the gaming experience for users of Nvidia’s high-performance notebook GPUs. As part of the Nvidia Notebook Driver Program, this particular driver is designed to provide a reference point for users, offering a baseline level of functionality and compatibility across a range of supported devices. However, it’s crucial to understand the context within which this driver is offered, particularly concerning OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) support and the overall update ecosystem for notebook graphics.
Understanding the Nvidia Notebook Driver Program
The Nvidia Notebook Driver Program serves as a framework for distributing standardized drivers that are compatible with a variety of Nvidia GPUs found in laptop computers. These drivers are intended to offer a balance between performance, stability, and feature support. Nvidia provides these reference drivers as a general solution, ensuring that users have access to updated graphics drivers even if their specific laptop manufacturer has not yet released a customized version.
However, a critical caveat exists: laptop OEMs often provide their own customized drivers that are specifically tailored to the unique hardware configurations and thermal management systems of their individual notebook models. These OEM-provided drivers are typically certified and tested to ensure optimal performance and stability within the specific notebook’s design.
The Importance of OEM Drivers
Laptop manufacturers invest significant resources in customizing and testing drivers for their products. This customization often involves adjusting power management settings, fan control profiles, and display calibration parameters to achieve the best possible balance between performance, battery life, and thermal behavior. Using a generic driver, such as the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M/GTX 970M Graphics Driver 344.24, might bypass these OEM-specific optimizations, potentially leading to suboptimal performance, increased heat generation, or even compatibility issues.
Nvidia explicitly recommends that users check with their notebook OEM regarding recommended software updates. This is because the OEM’s drivers are often the most thoroughly tested and validated for a particular notebook model. While Nvidia provides reference drivers like the 344.24 release, they cannot guarantee the same level of compatibility and optimization as the drivers provided by the OEM. It is essential to remember that OEMs may not provide technical support for issues that arise from the use of the Nvidia reference driver.
What’s New in Driver 344.24?
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M/GTX 970M Graphics Driver 344.24 is a WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certified driver, signifying that it has undergone rigorous testing and meets Microsoft’s standards for stability and compatibility. This release is specifically aligned with the launch of the GeForce GTX 980M and GTX 970M GPUs, which were, at the time of release, the most advanced notebook GPUs available.
Beyond the core GPU support, driver 344.24 emphasizes a "Game Ready" experience. This means that the driver is optimized to provide the best possible performance and visual quality in a selection of recently released and highly anticipated games. In particular, the 344.24 driver release highlights optimized support for:
- Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
- The Evil Within
- F1 2014
- Alien: Isolation
This "Game Ready" designation indicates that Nvidia has worked closely with the developers of these games to ensure that the driver provides optimal performance, stability, and image quality. This often involves implementing specific optimizations and bug fixes tailored to the unique demands of each game.
Key Features and Technologies
The GeForce GTX 980M and GTX 970M GPUs, supported by driver 344.24, are based on the second-generation Maxwell architecture. Maxwell is a significant advancement over previous Nvidia GPU architectures, offering improved performance per watt, enhanced power efficiency, and new features such as:
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Multi-Frame Sampled Anti-Aliasing (MFAA): MFAA provides anti-aliasing quality similar to that of 4x MSAA (Multi-Sample Anti-Aliasing) but with a significantly lower performance impact. This allows users to achieve smoother image quality without sacrificing as much frame rate.
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Voxel Global Illumination (VXGI): VXGI is a real-time global illumination technology that simulates how light bounces off surfaces in a scene, creating more realistic and immersive lighting effects.
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Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR): DSR allows users to render games at a higher resolution than their monitor’s native resolution, and then downsample the image to fit the screen. This results in sharper and more detailed visuals.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M/GTX 970M Graphics Driver 344.24 officially supports the following GeForce 900M series notebook GPUs:
- GeForce GTX 980M
- GeForce GTX 970M
It’s important to note that while the driver might function on other Nvidia notebook GPUs, its compatibility and performance are not guaranteed. For optimal results, users should always consult the official driver documentation and their notebook OEM’s website to ensure that the driver is officially supported for their specific hardware configuration.
Driver Download and Installation
While the original source may no longer be directly accessible, finding the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M/GTX 970M Graphics Driver 344.24 can still be achieved through various driver repositories and archive sites.
Download Link:
https://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook_drivers.html (Navigate to the archived driver section)
Alternative Download Link:
https://www.driverscape.com/download/nvidia-geforce-gtx-970m
Before installing the driver, it’s highly recommended to create a system restore point. This allows you to easily revert to your previous configuration in case any issues arise during or after the installation process. The installation process typically involves running the downloaded executable file and following the on-screen instructions.
A Final Word of Caution
While the Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M/GTX 970M Graphics Driver 344.24 offered performance enhancements and game-specific optimizations at the time of its release, it’s crucial to remember that it is a relatively old driver. Newer drivers may offer improved performance, bug fixes, and compatibility with more recent games and software. However, always prioritize the drivers provided by your notebook OEM to ensure the best possible experience and avoid potential compatibility issues.
Always back up your system before installing any new drivers. When in doubt, consult your notebook manufacturer’s website for the most up-to-date and recommended drivers for your specific model.