This article provides comprehensive information regarding the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta release for the Windows XP operating system. This driver package is designed to support a wide range of Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs), spanning from the GeForce 6 series to the GeForce 300 series, as well as the Nvidia ION desktop GPUs. This release is particularly noteworthy as it addresses a critical fan speed issue that was reported in the previous version, 196.75.
Addressing Fan Speed Issues and Driver Recommendation
The primary reason for this release is to rectify problems with fan speed control experienced by users of the 196.75 driver version. Nvidia strongly advises users who installed the 196.75 drivers to uninstall them immediately. As a replacement, users are recommended to either revert to the earlier, stable 196.21 WHQL drivers or to upgrade to this newer 197.13 WHQL-candidate driver. Choosing the 197.13 driver provides the benefits of the latest performance enhancements and features, while addressing the critical fan speed problem.
What’s New in the 197.13 Beta Drivers?
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta introduces several key improvements and new features, making it a worthwhile upgrade for users of compatible hardware. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s included:
- Next Generation ION Support: This driver package adds support for the "Next Generation ION" platform, broadening the compatibility of Nvidia’s ION series of GPUs. This ensures that users with the latest ION-based systems can leverage the full potential of their hardware.
- Support for New GeForce GPUs: The 197.13 Beta drivers expand support to include the GeForce GT 320, GeForce GT 330, and GeForce GT 340 desktop GPUs. This allows users who recently purchased these cards to install the necessary drivers for optimal performance.
- PhysX System Software Upgrade: The PhysX System Software is upgraded to version 9.10.0129. This update incorporates the latest PhysX engine improvements and bug fixes, enhancing the realism and visual fidelity of games that utilize PhysX technology.
- HD Audio Driver Upgrade: For GPUs that support HD Audio, the driver is upgraded to version 1.0.9.1. This upgrade ensures compatibility with the latest audio standards and provides improved audio performance.
- Performance Improvements in Games: The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta offers noticeable performance gains in various PC games compared to the 196.21 WHQL drivers. The extent of these improvements can vary based on the user’s specific GPU and system configuration. Examples of the measured improvements include:
- Up to 13% performance increase in Crysis: Warhead with a single GPU.
- Up to 30% performance increase in Crysis: Warhead with SLI technology.
- Up to 13% performance increase in H.A.W.X with a single GPU.
- Up to 15% performance increase in H.A.W.X with SLI technology.
- Up to 30% performance increase in Left 4 Dead with a single GPU.
- Up to 28% performance increase in Left 4 Dead with SLI technology.
- Enhanced SLI and Multi-GPU Support: The drivers incorporate improved SLI and multi-GPU support for a range of popular gaming titles, including 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, and Zombie Driver. This enhancement allows users with multiple Nvidia GPUs to experience significant performance boosts in these games.
- Improved SLI Support for Existing Titles: SLI support is further enhanced for Metro 2033, Supreme Commander 2, Unigine, and World of Warcraft. This ensures that users with SLI configurations can achieve optimal performance and visual quality in these games.
- Ambient Occlusion Support: Ambient Occlusion, a rendering technique that adds depth and realism to scenes, is now supported in Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, Need for Speed: Shift, Resident Evil 5, RUSE, and Street Fighter IV. This enhancement improves the visual fidelity of these games, creating a more immersive gaming experience.
- Override Anti-Aliasing Support: The drivers add override anti-aliasing support for Mass Effect 2. This allows users to force anti-aliasing in the game, even if it is not natively supported, resulting in smoother edges and improved visual clarity.
- Bug Fixes: The 197.13 Beta drivers include numerous bug fixes that address various issues reported by users. Refer to the release notes on the documentation tab for detailed information about the key bug fixes included in this release.
Existing Features and Technologies
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta also retains support for existing features and technologies, including:
- GPU-Accelerated Online HD Videos: Support for GPU acceleration for smoother online HD videos with the new Adobe Flash 10.1 beta.
- DirectCompute Support: Supports DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
- OpenCL 1.0 Support: Supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
- OpenGL 3.2 Support: Supports OpenGL 3.2 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs.
- CUDA Toolkit 3.0 Support: Supports CUDA Toolkit 3.0 features and performance enhancements.
- Single GPU and SLI Technology: 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: Supports Nvidia PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card.
- GPU Overclocking and Temperature Monitoring: Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing Nvidia System Tools software.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta is compatible with a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, including:
GeForce 300 Series: GT 340, GT 330, GT 320
GeForce 200 Series: GTX 275, 205, GT 230, GTX 295, 210, GTX 280, GT 240, GT 220, GTX 260, GTS 240, G210, GTS 250, GTX 285
GeForce 100 Series: G 100, GT 140, GT 120, GT 130
GeForce 9 Series: 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9400 GT, 9200, 9300, 9600 GSO, 9400, 9500 GT, 9800 GT, 9800 GX2, 9300 GE, 9300 GS, 9600 GS, 9600 GT, 9500 GS
GeForce 8 Series: 8200, 8300 GS, 8800 GS, 8600 GS, 8400 SE, 8300, 8400, 8800 GTX, 8600 GT, 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTS 512, 8500 GT, 8400 GS, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8600 GTS, 8800 GT, 8800 GTS
GeForce 7 Series: 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7300 GS, 7600 GS, 7350 LE, 7950 GX2, 7600 GT, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7950 GT, 7900 GS, 7100 GS, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7300 LE, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7650 GS, 7800 SLI, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7800 GTX, 7500 LE, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7900 GT/GTO, 7550 LE, 7800 GS, 7300 GT, 7600 LE, 7900 GTX
GeForce 6 Series: 6200 LE, 6700 XL, 6800 GS, 6200 TurboCache, 6610 XL, 6800 XT, 6100 nForce 420, 6100 nForce 400, 6800 LE, 6500, 6800 GT, 6800, 6150 LE, 6150, 6200, 6600 VE, 6800 XE, 6800 GS/XT, 6150SE nForce 430, 6600 LE, 6250, 6600, 6600 GT, 6100, 6200 A-LE, 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S, 6200SE TurboCache, 6800 Ultra, 6100 nForce 405
ION Series: ION, ION LE
Download Links
You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta for Windows XP from the following sources:
- TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/13344/
- Softpedia: (Alternative link – search on Softpedia)
- Guru3D: (Alternative link – search on Guru3D)
- DriverGuide: (Alternative link – search on DriverGuide)
- Nvidia Website (Archive): (Alternative link – search on Nvidia’s driver archive)
- FileHorse: (Alternative link – search on FileHorse)
Important Considerations:
- This driver is a WHQL-candidate, meaning it has not yet been fully certified by Microsoft. While it is generally stable, some users may experience unforeseen issues.
- Always create a system restore point before installing new drivers. This allows you to easily revert to a previous state if problems arise.
- Ensure that you download the correct driver version for your operating system (Windows XP) and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 197.13 Beta offers a significant update for Windows XP users with compatible Nvidia GPUs. Addressing the fan speed issue and providing performance enhancements makes this a recommended upgrade, especially for those affected by the previous 196.75 drivers. By following the provided instructions and downloading from a trusted source, users can ensure a smooth and successful driver installation.