Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows Vista/7 32-bit

This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs certified) release, specifically designed for 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. This driver package is part of the Release 260 family and brings performance enhancements, new features, and expanded compatibility for a range of Nvidia GPUs, including the GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, and 400 series, as well as the Nvidia GeForce Ion series.

Understanding WHQL Certification

WHQL certification is a crucial aspect of driver releases. It signifies that the driver has undergone rigorous testing by Microsoft and has met specific stability and compatibility standards. WHQL-certified drivers are generally more reliable and less likely to cause system instability or conflicts compared to uncertified drivers. When installing graphics drivers, choosing a WHQL-certified version is always recommended for optimal performance and system stability.

Release 260 Family: Key Features and Improvements

The 260.99 WHQL drivers are a follow-up to the initial Release 260 drivers. The Release 260 family, as a whole, introduced several significant improvements and new features for Nvidia graphics card users. You can find a detailed overview of these broader changes here. These improvements were aimed at enhancing gaming performance, adding support for new technologies, and improving the overall user experience.

What’s New in the 260.99 WHQL Release?

The 260.99 WHQL driver specifically brings the following enhancements and additions:

Performance Boosts in Games: This driver version offers improved performance compared to the previous 260.89 drivers in several popular PC games. Notable titles include:
- Civilization V (with SLI enabled)
- Fallout 3
- Final Fantasy XIV
- Formula 1 Racing (DirectX 11)
New SLI Profiles: SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology allows users to combine the processing power of multiple Nvidia graphics cards for increased performance. The 260.99 drivers add SLI profiles for the following games:
- Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
- Fallout: New Vegas
Improved Compatibility: The driver improves compatibility for Fallout 3: New Vegas when antialiasing is enabled, addressing potential graphical issues.
Enhanced Alt-Tab Compatibility: The Alt-Tab functionality, used to switch between open applications, has been improved for better compatibility with various PC games. This resolves issues where Alt-Tab might cause crashes or graphical glitches.
New 3D Vision Game Profiles: Nvidia’s 3D Vision technology enables stereoscopic 3D gaming. The 260.99 drivers add new 3D Vision profiles for:
- Call of Duty: Black Ops
- Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X. 2
3D Vision Installation Changes: With the Release 260 drivers, Nvidia altered the 3D Vision installation process. Users are advised to consult this knowledgebase article for detailed information on the changes.

Additional Information and Component Updates

Beyond the specific game-related improvements, the 260.99 drivers also include updates to other system components:

HD Audio Driver: The driver package installs the HD Audio driver version 1.1.9.0, ensuring compatibility and optimal audio performance with Nvidia GPUs.
PhysX System Software: The PhysX System Software is updated to version 9.10.0514. PhysX is a physics engine used in many games to create realistic environmental interactions and effects.
Adobe CS5 Support: The drivers support the new GPU-accelerated features in Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5), enabling faster performance in applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
Adobe Flash 10.1 Acceleration: The drivers support GPU acceleration for smoother online HD video playback with Adobe Flash 10.1. More information on this feature can be found here.
MotionDSP vReveal Support: The drivers support the new version of MotionDSP’s vReveal video enhancement software, which now includes HD output support. A free version of vReveal with SD output support is available for Nvidia customers here.
DirectCompute Support: The drivers support DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, enabling GPU-accelerated computing tasks.
OpenCL Support: The drivers support OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, allowing developers to utilize the GPU for general-purpose computing.
OpenGL Support: The drivers support OpenGL 3.3 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, and OpenGL 4.1 for GeForce 400 series GPUs, providing access to the latest OpenGL features for gaming and professional applications.
SLI and Multi-GPU Support: The drivers support 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: Users can install Nvidia System Tools software to enable GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring.
International Driver Availability: Users with non-US English operating systems can download international drivers from the Nvidia website.

Supported Nvidia GeForce and ION Products

The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL supports a wide range of Nvidia desktop GPUs, including:

GeForce 400 Series: GTX 480, GTX 460, GT 430, GTX 470, GTX 465, GTS 450

GeForce 300 Series: GT 320, GT 330, GT 340, 315, 310

GeForce 200 Series: GTS 250, GTX 260, G210, GT 220, GTX 295, GTX 275, 210, GT 240, GTS 240, 205, GTX 285, GTX 280, GT 230

GeForce 100 Series: GT 120, G 100, GT 140, GT 130

GeForce 9 Series: 9300, 9400 GT, 9500 GS, 9600 GT, 9300 GE, 9400, 9800 GX2, 9600 GS, 9800 GT, 9500 GT, 9200, 9300 GS, 9800 GTX/GTX+, 9600 GSO, 9100

GeForce 8 Series: 8300 GS, 8800 GS, 8600 GTS, 8800 GTX, 8200 / nForce 730a, 8600 GS, 8400 GS, 8500 GT, 8800 GTS, 8600 GT, 8200, 8800 Ultra, 8800 GTS 512, 8400, 8800 GT, 8300, 8100 / nForce 720a, 8400 SE

GeForce 7 Series: 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7025 / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7550 LE, 7300 GT, 7800 GTX, 7900 GT/GTO, 7600 GS, 7600 GT, 7950 GT, 7350 LE, 7500 LE, 7300 GS, 7100 GS, 7300 LE, 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i, 7950 GX2, 7300 SE / 7200 GS, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7900 GTX, 7800 SLI, 7800 GS, 7900 GS, 7650 GS, 7150 / NVIDIA nForce 630i, 7050 PV / NVIDIA nForce 630a, 7600 LE, 7050 / NVIDIA nForce 610i

GeForce 6 Series: 6800 GS/XT, 6800 LE, 6200SE TurboCache, 6610 XL, 6200 A-LE, 6800 GT, 6150SE nForce 430, 6100 nForce 400, 6200 LE, 6100 nForce 420, 6150, 6800, 6600, 6200, 6150LE / Quadro NVS 210S, 6800 GS, 6800 Ultra, 6800 XE, 6500, 6150 LE, 6600 LE, 6700 XL, 6800 XT, 6100 nForce 405, 6250, 6200 TurboCache, 6600 VE, 6600 GT, 6100

ION Series: ION, ION LE

Downloading the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL

You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows Vista/7 32-bit from the following link:

Download Driver

Alternative Download Links:

While the link above is the primary source, here are some alternative download locations for the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL:

Softpedia: (Find by searching for "Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL Softpedia")
Guru3D: (Check their driver download section for archived drivers)
DriverGuide: (Requires registration; search for the specific driver version)
MajorGeeks: (Search their site for "Nvidia 260.99 WHQL")
Nvidia Legacy Driver Website: While Nvidia may not directly host this specific version, checking their legacy driver section is worthwhile.

Important Note: Always verify the file’s authenticity and scan it for viruses before installation, regardless of the source.

By installing the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL, users can benefit from performance improvements, new features, and enhanced compatibility, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable computing and gaming experience on their Windows Vista or 7 32-bit systems. It’s essential to make sure your hardware is supported by the drivers before installing, as listed above.