Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows XP

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows XP is a significant release aimed at enhancing the performance and compatibility of Nvidia graphics cards within the Windows XP operating system environment. This driver package, WHQL-certified (Windows Hardware Quality Labs), supports a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, encompassing the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, and 300 series desktop GPUs, as well as ION desktop GPUs. It’s a comprehensive update focusing on improving user experience across various applications and games.

Key Improvements and New Features in Version 197.45

This driver update brings several noteworthy enhancements:

• Adobe CS5 Optimization: The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 is highly recommended for users of Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5). It’s designed to optimize performance when utilizing the GPU-accelerated features within the suite, leading to smoother workflows and faster rendering times.
• MotionDSP vReveal Support: The driver introduces support for the new version of MotionDSP’s vReveal video enhancement software. This allows users to leverage their Nvidia GPU to accelerate video processing tasks within vReveal, resulting in faster and more efficient video enhancement.
• Media Player Classic Fix: A specific video playback issue within Media Player Classic has been resolved, ensuring a more stable and reliable experience when watching videos using this popular media player.

Existing Support and Enhancements from Release 197 Drivers

Beyond the new additions, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 also carries forward improvements and support introduced in the broader Release 197 driver family. These include:

• Next Generation ION Support: Continued support for Next Generation ION platforms, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance for these integrated graphics solutions.
• GeForce GT 300 Series Support: Full support for the GeForce GT 320, GeForce GT 330, and GeForce GT 340 graphics cards.
• PhysX System Software Update: The driver upgrades the PhysX System Software to version 9.10.0129. PhysX is Nvidia’s physics engine, and this update provides improved performance and stability in games and applications that utilize PhysX for realistic physics effects.
• HD Audio Driver Update: The HD Audio driver is upgraded to version 1.0.9.1 for supported GPUs, ensuring optimal audio performance and compatibility.

Performance Gains in Gaming

One of the significant benefits of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 is the performance increase in various PC games. Compared to the previous v196.21 WHQL driver, users can expect noticeable improvements. The extent of these improvements will vary based on the specific GPU and overall system configuration, but Nvidia has provided some specific examples:

• Crysis: Warhead: Up to a 13% performance increase with a single GPU and up to a 30% increase when using SLI technology (linking multiple Nvidia GPUs).
• H.A.W.X: Up to a 13% performance increase with a single GPU and up to a 15% increase with SLI technology.
• Left 4 Dead: Up to a 30% performance increase with a single GPU and up to a 28% increase with SLI technology.

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

SLI and Multi-GPU Support

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 expands SLI and multi-GPU support to several popular gaming titles. This allows gamers with multiple Nvidia graphics cards to take advantage of the increased processing power for enhanced visuals and performance. The newly supported titles include:

• Assassin 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 provides enhanced SLI support for existing games like Metro 2033, Supreme Commander 2, Unigine, and World of Warcraft.

Enhanced Visual Features

The driver introduces or enhances several visual features, further improving the gaming experience:

• Ambient Occlusion Support: Ambient Occlusion is a rendering technique that adds depth and realism to scenes by simulating the way light interacts with surfaces. The driver adds Ambient Occlusion support for Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, Need for Speed: Shift, Resident Evil 5, RUSE, and Street Fighter IV.
• Override Anti-Aliasing Support: Override anti-aliasing support is added for Mass Effect 2, allowing users to force anti-aliasing even if the game doesn’t natively support it, resulting in smoother edges and reduced aliasing artifacts.

Other Notable Support

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 also includes support for a variety of other technologies and features:

• GPU-acceleration for Adobe Flash 10.1: Enables 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, enabling general-purpose computing on the GPU.
• OpenCL 1.0 Support: Supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, providing a framework for parallel computing across different platforms.
• OpenGL 3.2 Support: Supports OpenGL 3.2 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, enabling developers to utilize the latest OpenGL features for advanced graphics rendering.
• CUDA Toolkit 3.0 Support: Supports CUDA Toolkit 3.0 features and performance enhancements. CUDA is Nvidia’s parallel computing architecture, allowing developers to leverage the power of Nvidia GPUs for a wide range of applications.
• Single GPU and NVIDIA SLI Technology Support: Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL, including 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.
• NVIDIA PhysX Acceleration Support: Supports NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card, allowing users to dedicate a separate card for PhysX processing, leading to more realistic and immersive physical effects in games.
• GPU Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.

Supported Products

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 supports a wide array of Nvidia 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

Download Links

You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 for Windows XP from the following links:

• TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/13518/

Alternative Download Links:

• Softpedia: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/Graphics-Board/Nvidia/Nvidia-GeForce-ION-Graphics-Driver-197-45-for-Windows-XP.shtml
• Guru3D (Check their driver archive): https://www.guru3d.com/
• Nvidia Driver Archive (If available): Search on Nvidia’s official website for legacy drivers.
• DriverGuide: https://www.driverguide.com/ (requires registration)
• MajorGeeks: https://www.majorgeeks.com/ (search on their site)

This driver release represents a continued effort by Nvidia to provide ongoing support and improvements for their older graphics cards on the Windows XP platform. The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 provides stability, performance enhancements and compatibility with a vast range of software and games.

By offering optimized performance for applications like Adobe CS5 and supporting advanced features such as PhysX and SLI, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 ensures a better user experience for those still utilizing these GPUs on Windows XP. For users seeking the latest improvements and fixes for their Nvidia graphics cards on Windows XP, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.45 is a recommended update.