This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL, a driver package designed for Windows Vista and Windows 7 64-bit operating systems. This release targets a range of NVIDIA notebook GPUs, offering performance enhancements, bug fixes, and new features. This guide will walk you through the key aspects of this driver, including compatibility, new features, and important considerations before installation.
Understanding the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL is released as part of the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program. This program aims to provide reference drivers that can be installed on supported NVIDIA notebook GPUs. It is crucial to understand that while NVIDIA provides these drivers, your notebook’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) also creates certified drivers specifically tailored for your particular notebook model.
NVIDIA recommends that you first consult your notebook OEM’s website for recommended software updates. OEMs often customize drivers to optimize performance and stability for their specific hardware configurations. Using a generic driver, like this one, might introduce unforeseen issues or incompatibility. It is also important to note that OEMs may not provide technical support for problems arising from the use of this reference driver. Therefore, proceed with caution.
Pre-Installation Considerations
Before downloading and installing the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL, consider these important steps:
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GPU Compatibility: Verify that your notebook’s GPU is supported by this driver. A comprehensive list of supported GPUs is provided below in the "Supported Products" section. Installing the driver on an unsupported GPU may lead to system instability or malfunction.
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System Backup: It is strongly recommended that you back up your current system configuration before installing any new drivers. This will allow you to revert to your previous settings if any issues arise during or after the installation. Instructions on how to back up your system can usually be found on your operating system’s support website.
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Dell-Specific Update (If Applicable): If you own a Dell Inspiron 1420, Dell XPS M1330, Dell XPS M1530, or Dell Latitude D630/D630c notebook, it is highly recommended that you first install the specific Dell software update recommended by Dell for your model before installing the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL. This can help prevent compatibility issues.
What’s New in Version 260.89?
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL is a WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certified driver release from the Release 260 family. This certification indicates that the driver has passed rigorous testing and meets Microsoft’s standards for stability and compatibility. Here’s a breakdown of the key improvements and features included in this version:
Installation Enhancements
- New Driver Installer: The installer has been redesigned with an enhanced user interface, offering a more streamlined and intuitive installation process.
- Express and Custom Installation Options:
- Express Installation: This provides a one-click installation, ideal for users who want a quick and straightforward driver update.
- Custom Installation: This option allows for customized installation, providing users with greater control over the installation process.
- Clean Installation Option: This allows users to completely remove older drivers from their system before installing the new driver. This can help resolve conflicts and ensure a clean installation.
- Component Selection: This enables users to choose which driver components to install, such as PhysX or 3D Vision. This can be useful for users who only need specific components.
- Improved Installation Time: The installation time for multi-GPU PCs has been significantly improved.
Other Improvements and Features
- PhysX System Software Update: The PhysX System Software has been upgraded to version 9.10.0514, providing enhanced physics processing capabilities in supported games and applications.
- Improved Compatibility for Older PC Games: This driver improves compatibility for older PC games (DirectX 7 to DirectX 9) running on Windows 7. Examples of games with improved compatibility include: Gothic, Gothic II, Falcon 4.0: Allied Force, Links 2003, Independence War II – Edge of Chaos, and X2: Wolverine’s Revenge. This means you can enjoy playing your favorite classic games with fewer compatibility issues.
- Drag and Drop Display Arrangement: Added drag and drop display arrangement support to the "Set up multiple displays" page, making it easier to configure multi-monitor setups.
- Bug Fixes: The release includes numerous bug fixes, improving overall stability and performance. Refer to the release notes for detailed information about the key bug fixes in this release.
Additional Information
- Adobe Photoshop CS5 Support: Supports the new GPU-accelerated features in Adobe Photoshop CS5, enhancing performance for image editing tasks.
- Adobe Flash 10.1 Support: Supports GPU-acceleration for smoother online HD videos with Adobe Flash 10.1, providing a better video playback experience.
- MotionDSP vReveal Support: Supports the new version of MotionDSP’s video enhancement software, vReveal, which adds support for HD output.
- OpenCL 1.0 Support: Supports OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language), enabling GPU acceleration for various computing tasks.
- OpenGL 3.3 Support: Supports OpenGL 3.3, providing access to the latest OpenGL features and improvements for games and applications.
- Single GPU and NVIDIA SLI Technology Support: Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9 and OpenGL.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL supports a wide range of NVIDIA notebook GPUs, including:
GeForce 400M Series:
- GeForce GTX 480M
- GeForce GTX 460M
- GeForce GT 445M
- GeForce GT 435M
- GeForce GT 425M
- GeForce GT 420M
- GeForce GT 415M
GeForce 300M Series:
- GTS 360M
- GTS 350M
- GTS 250M
- GT 335M
- GT 330M
- GT 325M
- 310M
- 305M
GeForce 200M Series:
- GT 230M
- GT 240M
- G210M
- GTX 285M
- GTX 280M
- GTX 260M
- GT 220M
GeForce 100M Series:
- G 110M
- GT 130M
- GTS 160M
- G 105M
- G 103M
- G 102M
- GT 120M
GeForce 9M Series:
- 9400M G
- 9650M GS
- 9200M GS
- 9500M GS
- 9400M GS
- 9800M GS
- 9300M GS
- 9800M GT
- 9100M G
- 9800M GTS
- 9500M G
- 9700M GT
- 9600M GS
- 9650M GT
- 9400M
- 9300M G
- 9800M GTX
- 9600M GT
- 9700M GTS
GeForce 8M Series:
- 8800M GTS
- 8600M GT
- 8400M GT
- 8200M G
- 8800M GTX
- 8800M GS
- 8600M GS
- 8400M G
- 8700M GT
- 8400M GS
Quadro FX Notebook Series:
- 5000M
- FX 3800M
- FX 3700M
- FX 360M
- FX 1600M
- FX 380M
- FX 370M
- FX 3600M
- FX 2800M
- FX 2700M
- FX 880M
- FX 770M
- FX 570M
- FX 1800M
- FX 1700M
Quadro NVS Notebook Series:
- NVS 2100M
- NVS 5100M
- NVS 3100M
- NVS 150M
- NVS 160M
- NVS 140M
- NVS 320M
- NVS 130M
- NVS 135M
ION Notebook Series:
- ION (Notebooks)
- ION LE (Notebooks)
Important Notes
- Hybrid Power Technology: Notebooks supporting Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported by this release of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL.
- Sony VAIO Support: Sony has joined the Verde program by supporting the following VAIO notebooks: Sony F Series with NVIDIA GeForce 310M and Sony F Series with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M. Other Sony VAIO notebooks are not supported at this time. Contact Sony for driver support for other models.
Download Links
Before downloading, remember the recommendation to check your OEM’s website first. If you choose to proceed, here are a few download links:
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TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/14545/
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DriverGuide: https://www.driverguide.com/driver/detail.php?driverid=1593326
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FileHorse: https://www.filehorse.com/download-nvidia-geforce-vista-64/old-versions/ (You’ll need to find version 260.89 in the list.)
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Guru3D: https://forums.guru3d.com/threads/nvidia-geforce-260-89-whql-vista-win7.329443/ (This link directs to a forum discussion; the driver file may be linked within the discussion.)
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL offers a range of improvements and features for supported NVIDIA notebook GPUs running on Windows Vista and Windows 7 64-bit. By understanding the pre-installation considerations, new features, and supported products, you can make an informed decision about whether to install this driver on your system. Remember to always prioritize checking with your notebook OEM for recommended software updates before installing reference drivers like this one. The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 260.89 WHQL can be a valuable update for many users, but careful consideration is key.