Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver with OpenGL 4.0 197.44 for Windows XP 64-bit

This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver version 197.44, specifically tailored for 64-bit versions of Windows XP. This driver release is significant because it introduces full support for OpenGL 4.0 and GLSL 4.00, along with continued support for OpenGL 3.3 and GLSL 3.30. This enhancement allows users with compatible Nvidia hardware to leverage the latest features and performance improvements offered by these advanced graphics APIs.

Overview of OpenGL and GLSL

Before delving into the specifics of the driver, it’s essential to understand what OpenGL and GLSL are. OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. It’s widely used in various applications, including video games, CAD software, and scientific visualization. GLSL (OpenGL Shading Language) is the shading language used to write shaders, which are programs that control the rendering pipeline of OpenGL. Newer versions of OpenGL and GLSL introduce advanced features and optimizations that can significantly improve the visual quality and performance of applications.

Driver Version 197.44: Key Features

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.44 for Windows XP 64-bit is a WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certified driver. WHQL certification indicates that the driver has undergone rigorous testing by Microsoft and is deemed stable and reliable for use with Windows operating systems. This particular release brings the following key features:

Full OpenGL 4.0 and GLSL 4.00 Support: This is the highlight of the release. It allows applications to utilize the latest OpenGL features, such as tessellation shaders, geometry shaders, and transform feedback, for enhanced visual fidelity and rendering capabilities.
OpenGL 3.3 and GLSL 3.30 Support: The driver maintains support for OpenGL 3.3 and GLSL 3.30, ensuring compatibility with older applications that may not yet be optimized for OpenGL 4.0.
OpenGL 2.0 Extensions: For users with older hardware limited to OpenGL 2.0, the driver provides several extensions to enhance functionality, including ARB_texture_swizzle, ARB_sampler_objects, ARB_occlusion_query2, ARB_timer_query, and ARB_explicit_attrib_location. These extensions bring some of the features of later OpenGL versions to older hardware.
OpenGL 4.0 Extensions: For hardware capable of OpenGL 4.0, the driver provides a suite of extensions, including ARB_texture_compression_bptc, EXT_shader_image_load_store, EXT_vertex_attrib_64bit, NV_gpu_shader5, NV_gpu_program5, NV_tessellation_program5, NV_vertex_attrib_integer_64bit, and NV_shader_buffer_store. These extensions expose advanced features for texture compression, shader operations, and memory management.

Hardware Compatibility

It is crucial to ensure that your Nvidia graphics card is compatible with the driver to take advantage of its features. Here’s a breakdown of the hardware requirements:

OpenGL 4.0 and GLSL 4.00: Requires a Fermi-based GPU.
OpenGL 3.3 and GLSL 3.30: Supported on the following desktop and notebook GPUs:
- Desktop: Quadro FX 370, 570, 1700, 3700, 4600, 4700×2, 4800, 5600, 5800, Quadro VX200, Quadro CX, GeForce 8000 series or higher, Geforce G100, GT120, 130, 220, GTS 150, GTS 250, GT310, 320, 330, 340, GeForce GTX 260 and higher, any ION based products.
- Notebook: Quadro FX 360M, 370M, 570M, 770M, 1600M, 1700M, 2700M, 2800M, 3600M, 3700M, 3800M, GeForce 8000 series or higher.

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver targets a wide range of hardware, from professional Quadro cards to consumer GeForce and ION products.

OpenGL Context Creation and Profiles

To utilize OpenGL 3.0 and later versions, applications must "opt in" by using the CreateContextAttribsARB function (for WGL and GLX). For OpenGL 3.2 and later, including OpenGL 4.0, developers must also specify the desired profile: "Core" or "Compatibility." The "Core" profile removes deprecated features, while the "Compatibility" profile retains full backward compatibility. NVIDIA recommends using the "Compatibility" profile to ensure existing OpenGL code continues to function correctly.

Deprecation and Compatibility

OpenGL 3.0 introduced a deprecation mechanism, marking features for removal in future versions. OpenGL 3.1 removed the deprecated features, but the ARB_compatibility extension reintroduced them, providing backward compatibility. Starting with OpenGL 3.2, OpenGL ARB introduced the "Core" and "Compatibility" profiles. NVIDIA fully supports the ARB_compatibility extension and Compatibility profile, ensuring that no functionality is removed. This means the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver provides maximum functionality with minimal disruption for developers.

Where to Download

You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.44 for Windows XP 64-bit from the following link:

Download Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.44 (TechSpot)

Here are five alternative download links for the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.44 or similar drivers for your convenience:

Softpedia: (Please search on Softpedia using the driver name and version) – Often provides a mirror of drivers with version history.
Guru3D: (Please search on Guru3D using the driver name and version) – A reputable source for graphics drivers and related software.
Nvidia Driver Archive: (Check Nvidia’s official website for driver archives, though older drivers may not always be readily available).
DriverGuide: (Please search on DriverGuide using the driver name and version) – Offers a wide range of drivers, but exercise caution and verify the source.
MajorGeeks: (Please search on MajorGeeks using the driver name and version) – Another popular download site with a long history.

Disclaimer: Always exercise caution when downloading drivers from third-party websites. Ensure the source is reputable and scan the downloaded files with an antivirus program before installation.

OpenGL 4.0 FAQ (Based on Original Release Notes)

The original release notes included a FAQ section addressing common questions about OpenGL 4.0 on NVIDIA hardware. Here’s a summary of the key points:

Using OpenGL 4.0: Applications must explicitly request an OpenGL 3 or 4 context using CreateContextAttribsARB. For OpenGL 3.2 and later, the desired profile (Core or Compatibility) must be specified.
Context Creation API: While the old WGL/GLXCreateContext API still works, the new CreateContextAttribsARB API is strongly recommended for new code. The old API creates an OpenGL 4.0 Compatibility profile.
Future Functionality Removal: NVIDIA has no plans to remove features relied upon by ISVs and fully supports the ARB_compatibility extension and Compatibility profile.
Existing Application Compatibility: NVIDIA has no plans to drop support for any version of OpenGL, ensuring that existing applications will continue to work.
OpenGL 3 Support: OpenGL 3.0/3.1/3.2/3.3 requires G80 or newer hardware and is not supported on older NV3x, NV4x, or G7x hardware.
OpenGL 4 Support: OpenGL 4 requires a Fermi GPU and is not supported on NV3x, NV4x, G7x, G8x, or GT2xx hardware.
Deprecated Functionality Performance: Functionality marked as deprecated will not be slow on NVIDIA hardware. NVIDIA will provide full performance and support for all features in the ARB_compatibility extension and Compatibility profile.

In conclusion, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Driver 197.44 for Windows XP 64-bit provides a significant upgrade for users with compatible hardware, bringing support for the latest OpenGL features and ensuring compatibility with existing applications. By understanding the hardware requirements, OpenGL context creation process, and the implications of deprecation, developers and users can effectively leverage the power of this driver.