This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs certified) release for Windows XP 64-bit operating systems. This driver package is designed to enhance the performance and stability of Nvidia GeForce and ION series graphics cards on systems running this specific operating system.
Understanding WHQL Certification
WHQL certification is a testing process conducted by Microsoft to ensure that drivers meet specific quality and compatibility standards. Drivers that pass this testing are digitally signed, indicating that they have been tested and approved for use with Windows. Installing WHQL-certified drivers generally leads to a more stable and reliable system.
Release 260 Driver Family
The 260.99 drivers are part of the Release 260 family of drivers from Nvidia. This family introduced several new features and performance improvements. More detailed information about the key updates included in the Release 260 family can be found on TechSpot. This driver package offers support for a broad range of Nvidia GPUs, including:
- GeForce 6 Series
- GeForce 7 Series
- GeForce 8 Series
- GeForce 9 Series
- GeForce 100 Series
- GeForce 200 Series
- GeForce 300 Series
- GeForce 400 Series
- ION Desktop GPUs
Key Improvements in Version 260.99
The 260.99 WHQL release brings several specific enhancements and fixes to the driver package, including:
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Performance Boosts: Significant performance improvements compared to the previous v260.89 drivers were implemented in popular PC games. Specifically, users should experience enhanced performance in Civilization V (SLI configurations), Fallout 3, Final Fantasy XIV, and Formula 1 Racing (DX11).
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SLI Profile Additions: The drivers include new SLI (Scalable Link Interface) profiles for the following games. SLI technology allows users to combine the processing power of multiple Nvidia graphics cards for increased performance. New profiles were added for:
- Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
- Fallout: New Vegas
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Enhanced Game Compatibility: This driver release improves compatibility with Fallout: New Vegas when antialiasing is enabled. Antialiasing is a graphics technique used to reduce jagged edges in images, resulting in a smoother visual experience.
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Improved Alt-Tab Functionality: The drivers address and improve Alt-Tab compatibility issues experienced in several PC games. Alt-Tab allows users to quickly switch between open applications.
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3D Vision Updates: New 3D Vision game profiles have been added for Call of Duty: Black Ops and Tom Clancy’s HawX 2. These profiles optimize the 3D viewing experience for these specific games when using Nvidia’s 3D Vision technology. Note that the installation process for 3D Vision has changed with the Release 260 drivers. Users are encouraged to consult the Nvidia knowledgebase article for detailed information on these changes.
Additional Driver Information
Beyond the game-specific improvements, the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL release includes updates to several core components and technologies:
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HD Audio Driver: The driver package installs the HD Audio driver to version 1.1.9.0, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance for audio output through the graphics card.
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PhysX System Software: The package incorporates PhysX System Software version 9.10.0514. PhysX is a physics engine developed by Nvidia that enhances the realism of in-game physics effects.
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Adobe CS5 Support: The drivers support GPU-accelerated features in Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5). This allows users to leverage the power of their Nvidia GPU to accelerate tasks within applications like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and After Effects.
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Adobe Flash Acceleration: The drivers enable GPU-acceleration for smoother online HD video playback with Adobe Flash 10.1. This results in a more fluid and enjoyable viewing experience when streaming high-definition content.
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vReveal Support: The drivers support the latest version of MotionDSP’s vReveal video enhancement software, which includes support for HD output.
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DirectCompute Support: The drivers support DirectCompute with Windows 7 and GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. DirectCompute is a technology that allows developers to utilize the GPU for general-purpose computing tasks.
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OpenCL Support: The drivers support OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. OpenCL is a framework for writing programs that execute across heterogeneous platforms consisting of CPUs, GPUs, and other processors.
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OpenGL Support: The drivers provide support for OpenGL 3.3 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs and OpenGL 4.1 for GeForce 400 series GPUs. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
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SLI and Multi-GPU Support: The drivers support both single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, DirectX 11, and OpenGL. This includes support for 3-way SLI, Quad SLI, and SLI on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards.
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Overclocking and Monitoring: Users can install NVIDIA System Tools software to enable GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring. This allows users to fine-tune their GPU’s performance and monitor its operating temperature.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL release supports a wide variety of Nvidia graphics cards. A comprehensive list of supported products is below:
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
Download Links
You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows XP 64-bit from the following locations:
Alternative Download Links:
Due to the age of these drivers, official Nvidia download links may no longer be available. Here are some alternative sources where you might find the driver:
- Softpedia: Search "Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL Windows XP 64-bit Softpedia"
- DriverGuide: Search "Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL Windows XP 64-bit DriverGuide"
- Guru3D: Search "Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL Windows XP 64-bit Guru3D"
- MajorGeeks: Search "Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL Windows XP 64-bit MajorGeeks"
- Archive.org (Wayback Machine): It might be possible to find archived pages of the Nvidia website that hosted the driver.
Note: When downloading from third-party sites, always exercise caution and ensure that the downloaded file is from a reputable source to avoid malware. Verify file integrity using checksums if available.
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Graphics Drivers 260.99 WHQL for Windows XP 64-bit provide significant improvements for users of legacy Nvidia hardware.