Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL for Windows XP 32-bit

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Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL for Windows XP 32-bit

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL release, specifically tailored for 32-bit Windows XP operating systems. This driver package, a WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certified release from the Release 260 family, offers a range of improvements, new features, and expanded hardware support for various Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs).

Driver Overview

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL package is designed to enhance the performance and stability of Nvidia GPUs on Windows XP 32-bit systems. As a WHQL-certified driver, it has undergone rigorous testing by Microsoft to ensure compatibility and reliability. This particular release supports a broad spectrum of Nvidia desktop GPUs, spanning from the GeForce 6 series to the GeForce 400 series, in addition to ION desktop GPUs. This extensive compatibility ensures that a wide range of users can benefit from the enhancements and features included in this driver package.

You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL for Windows XP 32-bit from the following link: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/14540/

Here are also alternative download links:

  1. Softpedia: (Check Softpedia for archived drivers)
  2. Guru3D: (Check Guru3D’s driver archive)
  3. Nvidia Driver Archive: (Search Nvidia’s Legacy Driver Site)
  4. DriverGuide: (Check DriverGuide’s database)
  5. Station-Drivers: (Check Station-Drivers’ archive)

Key Features and Improvements

The 260.89 WHQL driver release brings several notable updates and improvements, including:

  • New GPU Support: The driver introduces support for the newly released GeForce GT 430 GPU. This means users with this specific card can now leverage the full potential of their hardware with optimized driver support.

  • Performance Enhancements: Significant performance boosts are observed for GeForce GTX 400 Series GPUs in various PC games compared to the previous v258.96 WHQL drivers. While performance gains vary depending on the specific GPU and system configuration, some notable examples include:

    • GeForce GTX 480: Up to 10% performance increase in StarCraft II, 14% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, 16% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (SLI), and 6% in Aliens vs. Predator (SLI).
    • GeForce GTX 460: Substantial gains in StarCraft II (SLI), Battlefield Bad Company 2 (SLI), S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, Aliens vs. Predator, Metro 2033, Dirt 2 (SLI), Crysis: Warhead (SLI), Far Cry 2, H.A.W.X (SLI), Just Cause 2, Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, and even a 5% increase in 3DMark Vantage (Extreme Preset).
  • Blu-ray 3D Support: The driver enables playback of Blu-ray 3D discs when the GPU is connected to an HDMI 1.4 3D TV. However, it requires compatible software applications from vendors like CyberLink, ArcSoft, Roxio, or Corel. This feature enhances the home entertainment experience for users with 3D-capable displays.

  • HD Audio Enhancements: The 260.89 drivers introduce lossless DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD audio bitstreaming support for compatible Blu-ray movies when using GeForce GTX 460 GPUs. Furthermore, it adds high-definition 24-bit, 96, and 192 KHz multi-channel audio sampling rate support for compatible Blu-ray movies with GeForce GTX 400 Series, GT 240, GT 220, and 210 GPUs. The HD Audio driver is also upgraded to version 1.1.9.0. It’s important to note that a Blu-ray movie player update may be required to enable these new features, and they are exclusively supported on Windows 7.

  • Improved Installation Process: The driver installer features an enhanced user interface and introduces new Express and Custom installation options. The Express option provides a fast and easy one-click installation, while the Custom option allows users to customize the installation process. Customization includes options to perform a clean installation (completely removing older drivers) and to choose which driver components (e.g., PhysX or 3D Vision) to install. The installation time for multi-GPU PCs has also been improved.

  • NVIDIA Surround Updates: The NVIDIA Surround setup wizard has been updated with several improvements, including the ability to jump to any setup step after the initial setup, improved display connection diagrams and tooltips, an improved UI for setup and arrangement of displays, and an improved bezel correction setup experience. A help page has been added to highlight which in-game resolution to select (e.g., how to pick bezel-corrected resolutions). Users can also dedicate an extra GPU to PhysX or to drive an additional display and choose between portrait or landscape setup directly from the wizard. The 3D Vision Surround and NVIDIA Surround game support list has also been updated.

  • NVIDIA 3D Vision Enhancements: The installation process for 3D Vision has been modified. The driver adds NVIDIA 3D Vision streaming support for Firefox 4 and Google Chrome web browsers, as well as support for Sony’s 3D Sweep Panorama picture format in NVIDIA 3D Photo Viewer. Support for new 3D Vision Desktop LCD monitors (BenQ X2410 and NEC F23W2A) and projectors (Sanyo PDG-DWL2500 and ViewSonic PJD6251) has been added. Several new 3D Vision game profiles have been included, and existing profiles have been updated.

  • NVIDIA SLI Profile Updates: The driver adds or enhances SLI profiles for several PC games, including City of Heroes: Going Rogue, Alien Swarm, Dead Rising 2, Front Mission Evolved, Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days, and LEGO: Harry Potter. These profiles optimize performance and visual quality when using multiple Nvidia GPUs in an SLI configuration.

  • Other Improvements: The 260.89 drivers include support for OpenGL 4.1 for GeForce 400 series GPUs, upgrades the PhysX System Software to version 9.10.0514, and improves compatibility for older PC games (DirectX 7 to DirectX 9) running on Windows 7. Drag-and-drop display arrangement support has been added to the "Set up multiple displays" page, and numerous bug fixes have been incorporated.

Additional Information

Beyond the core features and improvements, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL release provides additional benefits:

  • Adobe CS5 Support: The driver supports the new GPU-accelerated features in Adobe CS5, enabling faster and more efficient performance in creative applications.

  • Adobe Flash 10.1 Acceleration: It supports GPU-acceleration for smoother online HD videos with Adobe Flash 10.1, enhancing the web browsing experience.

  • MotionDSP vReveal Support: The driver supports the new version of MotionDSP’s video enhancement software, vReveal, which adds support for HD output.

  • DirectCompute Support: It supports DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, enabling advanced parallel computing capabilities.

  • OpenCL 1.0 Support: The driver supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, allowing developers to leverage GPU power for a wide range of applications.

  • OpenGL 3.3 Support: OpenGL 3.3 is supported for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, ensuring compatibility with modern OpenGL-based applications and games.

  • SLI Technology: The driver supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, DirectX 11, and OpenGL, including 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI support on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.

  • GPU Overclocking and Monitoring: GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring are supported by installing NVIDIA System Tools software, allowing users to fine-tune their GPU performance and monitor its thermal characteristics.

Supported Products

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL package supports a wide range of Nvidia GPUs, including:

  • GeForce 400 Series: GTX 480, GTX 465, GT 430, GTS 450, GTX 460, GTX 470
  • GeForce 300 Series: GT 340, 315, GT 320, 310, GT 330
  • GeForce 200 Series: GTX 285, 210, GTX 275, GTX 260, GT 240, GT 220, G210, GTS 250, GTX 280, 205, GTS 240, GTX 295, GT 230
  • GeForce 100 Series: GT 120, GT 130, G 100, GT 140
  • GeForce 9 Series: 9300 GE, 9200, 9500 GS, 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9800 GX2, 9400 GT, 9800 GT, 9100, 9400, 9500 GT, 9600 GT, 9300, 9600 GSO, 9600 GS, 9300 GS
  • GeForce 8 Series: 8800 GT, 8800 GTS 512, 8800 GS, 8400, 8300 GS, 8400 GS, 8400 SE, 8600 GT, 8300, 8200, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8600 GS, 8600 GTS, 8800 GTS, 8800 GTX, 8800 Ultra, 8200 / nForce 730a, 8500 GT
  • GeForce 7 Series: 7800 SLI, 7600 LE, 7900 GS, 7650 GS, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7600 GT, 7300 LE, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7500 LE, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7550 LE, 7800 GTX, 7900 GT/GTO, 7600 GS, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7350 LE, 7950 GT, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7950 GX2, 7800 GS, 7300 GT, 7300 GS, 7900 GTX, 7100 GS, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i
  • GeForce 6 Series: 6100 nForce 420, 6600 GT, 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S, 6800 XT, 6200 A-LE, 6610 XL, 6150, 6800 LE, 6200, 6250, 6150 LE, 6600, 6200 LE, 6200SE TurboCache, 6800, 6600 VE, 6800 GS/XT, 6700 XL, 6100 nForce 400, 6100 nForce 405, 6150SE nForce 430, 6100, 6600 LE, 6800 Ultra, 6500, 6200 TurboCache, 6800 XE, 6800 GS, 6800 GT

Conclusion

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL for Windows XP 32-bit offers a significant upgrade for users with compatible Nvidia GPUs. From performance enhancements in popular games to added support for Blu-ray 3D and HD audio, this driver package provides a comprehensive set of improvements and new features. The updated installation process and NVIDIA Surround wizard further enhance the user experience. Users are encouraged to download and install this driver to take full advantage of its benefits and ensure optimal performance and stability on their Windows XP 32-bit systems. Ensure your Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers are up to date to experience the best possible performance.

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