Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows Vista / 7 64-bit

This article provides information regarding the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45, a WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certified driver designed for 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. This driver package supports a wide range of Nvidia desktop GPUs, spanning from the GeForce 6 series to the GeForce 300 series, as well as the ION desktop GPUs. The information presented aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the driver’s features, improvements, and supported hardware.

Key Features and Improvements in Version 197.45

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 brings several enhancements and new features, primarily focused on performance optimization and expanded compatibility. The most notable updates include:

• Adobe CS5 Optimization: This driver version is specifically recommended for users of Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5), providing optimized performance for GPU-accelerated features within the suite. This results in a smoother and more responsive experience when working with demanding tasks such as video editing, graphic design, and image manipulation.

• MotionDSP vReveal Support: The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 introduces support for the updated version of MotionDSP’s vReveal video enhancement software. vReveal utilizes GPU acceleration to improve video quality, reduce noise, and enhance details, and this driver ensures optimal performance with the software.

• Media Player Classic Fix: A specific video playback issue encountered in Media Player Classic has been addressed and resolved in this driver release. This ensures a more stable and reliable video playback experience for users of this media player.

Existing Support in Release 197 Drivers

Beyond the specific updates in version 197.45, this driver package also incorporates features and support that were already present in the broader Release 197 driver series. These include:

• Next Generation ION Support: The driver provides support for the "Next Generation ION" platform, enhancing the capabilities of these integrated graphics solutions.

• GeForce GT 300 Series Support: Support is included for the GeForce GT 320, GeForce GT 330, and GeForce GT 340 graphics cards.

• PhysX System Software Update: The PhysX System Software is upgraded to version 9.10.0129. PhysX is Nvidia’s physics engine, which adds realistic physical effects to games and other applications. This update provides improvements and bug fixes for PhysX-enabled content.

• HD Audio Driver Update: The HD Audio driver is updated to version 1.0.9.1 for supported GPUs. This update ensures proper audio output and functionality through the graphics card’s HDMI or DisplayPort connections.

Performance Enhancements in Games

One of the key focuses of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 is to improve gaming performance. Compared to the previous v196.21 WHQL driver, this release offers performance increases in several popular PC games. It is important to note that the actual performance gains will vary depending on the specific GPU and system configuration. Some examples of the measured improvements include:

• Crysis: Warhead: Up to 13% performance increase with a single GPU and up to 30% performance increase with SLI technology.
• H.A.W.X: Up to 13% performance increase with a single GPU and up to 15% performance increase with SLI technology.
• Left 4 Dead: Up to 30% performance increase with a single GPU and up to 28% performance increase with SLI technology.

These performance improvements can translate to smoother gameplay, higher frame rates, and an overall more enjoyable gaming experience.

SLI and Multi-GPU Support

The driver expands SLI (Scalable Link Interface) and multi-GPU support to several new gaming titles, allowing users with multiple Nvidia graphics cards to leverage their combined processing power. Supported titles include:

• Assassin’s Creed II
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2
• Command and Conquer 4: Tiberium Twilight
• Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City
• Mass Effect 2
• Napoleon: Total War
• Zombie Driver

Furthermore, the driver enhances SLI support for existing games such as Metro 2033, Supreme Commander 2, Unigine, and World of Warcraft, further optimizing performance for multi-GPU configurations.

Additional Features and Support

In addition to the aforementioned improvements, the driver also offers a range of other features and support:

• Ambient Occlusion Support: Adds Ambient Occlusion (AO) support for Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, Need for Speed: Shift, Resident Evil 5, RUSE, and Street Fighter IV. Ambient Occlusion is a rendering technique that adds depth and realism to scenes by simulating the way light interacts with objects.

• Override Anti-Aliasing Support: Adds override anti-aliasing support for Mass Effect 2, allowing users to force anti-aliasing even if it is not natively supported by the game.

• Bug Fixes: Includes numerous bug fixes to address various issues and improve overall stability. Refer to the release notes for a detailed list of the key bug fixes included in this release.

• Adobe Flash 10.1 GPU Acceleration: Supports GPU acceleration for smoother online HD video playback with Adobe Flash 10.1.

• DirectCompute Support: Supports DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. DirectCompute is a Microsoft API that allows GPUs to be used for general-purpose computing tasks.

• OpenCL 1.0 Support: Supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. OpenCL is an open standard for parallel programming of heterogeneous systems, including GPUs and CPUs.

• OpenGL 3.2 Support: Supports OpenGL 3.2 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

• CUDA Toolkit 3.0 Support: Supports CUDA Toolkit 3.0 features and performance enhancements. CUDA is Nvidia’s parallel computing architecture that enables GPUs to be used for general-purpose computing.

• NVIDIA PhysX Acceleration: Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card. This allows users to dedicate one graphics card for rendering graphics and another for processing PhysX effects, resulting in more realistic and immersive physical interactions in games.

• GPU Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring through the installation of NVIDIA System Tools software.

Supported Products

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 supports a comprehensive list of Nvidia desktop GPUs, including:

• GeForce 300 Series: GT 320, GT 340, GT 330
• GeForce 200 Series: GT 240, GTS 240, GTX 275, GTX 285, GTX 280, GTS 250, 205, GTX 260, 210, GT 230, GT 220, G210, GTX 295
• GeForce 100 Series: GT 120, GT 130, GT 140, G 100
• GeForce 9 Series: 9300 GE, 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9600 GT, 9100, 9400 GT, 9300, 9600 GSO, 9200, 9400, 9800 GX2, 9600 GS, 9500 GT, 9500 GS, 9800 GT, 9300 GS
• GeForce 8 Series: 8300 GS, 8400 SE, 8300, 8600 GS, 8400 GS, 8800 GTS, 8800 GT, 8800 GTS 512, 8200, 8800 Ultra, 8500 GT, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8800 GTX, 8800 GS, 8200 / nForce 730a, 8600 GT, 8400, 8600 GTS
• GeForce 7 Series: 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7800 SLI, 7650 GS, 7100 GS, 7600 GS, 7800 GS, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 GS, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7950 GX2, 7950 GT, 7300 GT, 7800 GTX, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7600 GT, 7900 GS, 7900 GT/GTO, 7300 LE, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7900 GTX, 7600 LE
• GeForce 6 Series: 6800 LE, 6800 XE, 6610 XL, 6150 LE, 6800 GS, 6200SE TurboCache, 6200, 6200 LE, 6800 Ultra, 6150SE nForce 430, 6100, 6200 TurboCache, 6600 LE, 6500, 6100 nForce 420, 6800, 6150, 6600, 6800 GT, 6200 A-LE, 6800 XT, 6700 XL, 6250, 6600 GT, 6100 nForce 405, 6100 nForce 400, 6600 VE, 6800 GS/XT
• ION Series: ION, ION LE

Driver Download Links

You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 from the following sources:

• TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/13517/

• Alternative Download Links:

  • Softpedia: (This is an example, research and insert a valid Softpedia link for this driver version)
  • Guru3D: (This is an example, research and insert a valid Guru3D link for this driver version)
  • DriverGuide: (This is an example, research and insert a valid DriverGuide link for this driver version)
  • Nvidia Official Website: (Link to the Nvidia driver archive, if available.)
  • FileHippo: (This is an example, research and insert a valid FileHippo link for this driver version)

It’s recommended to download the driver from a reputable source to ensure its authenticity and avoid potential malware.

By updating to the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45, users can experience improved performance, enhanced compatibility, and a more stable and reliable computing experience on their Windows Vista or Windows 7 64-bit systems.