This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta, designed for 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. This driver package, part of the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program, offers performance enhancements and feature updates for a range of NVIDIA notebook GPUs.
Understanding the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program
The NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program aims to provide users with the latest driver updates for their NVIDIA notebook GPUs. These drivers are reference drivers, meaning they are designed to work across a broad range of compatible hardware. However, it’s crucial to understand the role of your notebook’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
OEMs, such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo, customize drivers specifically for their notebook models. These certified drivers are often available on the OEM’s website and are tailored to the specific hardware configuration of your laptop. NVIDIA recommends checking with your notebook OEM for the most appropriate software updates, as OEMs may not provide direct technical support for issues arising from the use of these reference drivers.
Pre-Installation Considerations
Before proceeding with the installation of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta, several important steps should be taken:
- GPU Compatibility: Verify that your notebook’s GPU is supported by this driver. A detailed list of supported GPUs is provided in the "Supported Products" section below.
- System Backup: It is strongly recommended to back up your current system configuration. This allows you to revert to your previous settings in case any issues arise during or after the driver installation.
- Dell Software Update (Specific Models): If you own a Dell Inspiron 1420, Dell XPS M1330, Dell XPS M1530, or Dell Latitude D630/D630c, it is highly recommended to install a specific Dell software update prior to installing these graphics drivers. This can help ensure compatibility and prevent potential issues.
Release Highlights and New Features
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta represents the first release from the Release 265 family of drivers (versions 265.xx to 269.xx). This driver package introduces several key improvements and new features, including:
Performance Enhancements
- GeForce 400 Series Performance Boost: This driver provides a noticeable performance increase in several PC games for notebooks equipped with GeForce 400 Series GPUs compared to the previous Release 260 drivers.
- Final Fantasy XI Optimization: Users of GeForce 400 Series GPUs will experience improved performance in the popular MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI.
NVIDIA SLI Updates
For users with notebooks configured with NVIDIA SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology, this driver includes updated profiles for several games:
- New SLI Profiles:
- Alien vs. Triangles Demo
- Endless City Demo
- Lionheart: Kings Crusade
- Moscow Racer: Legends of USSR
- Rift: Planes of Telara
- Shaun White Skateboarding
- Enhanced SLI Profiles:
- Age of Conan
- Arcania: Gothic 4
- Civilization V – DX11
- Lost Planet 2
- World Of Warcraft
These SLI profiles optimize the performance of these games when running on systems with multiple NVIDIA GPUs.
Other Notable Updates
- HD Audio Driver: The driver package includes the installation of HD Audio driver version 1.1.13.1.
- PhysX System Software: The PhysX System Software is updated to version 9.10.0514, ensuring compatibility with games and applications that utilize NVIDIA’s PhysX physics engine.
- Adobe CS5 Support: This driver provides support for the new GPU-accelerated features in Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5), enabling faster and more efficient performance in applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro.
- Adobe Flash 10.1 Acceleration: The driver supports GPU acceleration for smoother online HD video playback with Adobe Flash 10.1. This allows for a better viewing experience on websites that use Flash-based video players.
- MotionDSP vReveal Support: The driver supports the latest version of MotionDSP’s video enhancement software, vReveal, which now includes support for HD output. NVIDIA customers can download a free version of vReveal that supports up to SD output.
- OpenCL Support: The driver provides support for OpenCL 1.0 (Open Computing Language) for all GeForce 8-series and later GPUs. OpenCL allows developers to utilize the GPU for general-purpose computing tasks, accelerating a wide range of applications.
- OpenGL Support: The driver supports OpenGL 3.3 for GeForce 8-series and later GPUs, and OpenGL 4.1 on GeForce 400 series and later GPUs. OpenGL is a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.
- International Driver Availability: Users with non-US English operating systems can select their language and download the international driver version.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta is compatible with a wide range of NVIDIA notebook GPUs. Below is a comprehensive list of supported products, with some exceptions noted:
GeForce 400M Series:
- GTX 480M, GTX 470M, GTX 460M, GT 445M, GT 435M, GT 425M, GT 420M, GT 415M
GeForce 300M Series:
- GTS 360M, GTS 350M, GTS 250M, GT 335M, GT 330M, GT 325M, GT 320M, 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 9 Series:
- 9600 GT, 9400
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:
- Notebooks supporting Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported by this release.
- 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 (please contact Sony for driver support).
Download Links
You can download the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta for Windows Vista/7 64-bit from the following sources:
- TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/14811/
- Alternative Download Link 1: https://www.nvidia.com/drivers (Search for the specific driver version)
- Alternative Download Link 2: https://www.guru3d.com/files/index/11 (Check their driver archive)
- Alternative Download Link 3: https://www.softpedia.com/ (Search for the specific driver version)
- Alternative Download Link 4: https://filehippo.com/ (Search for the specific driver version)
- Alternative Download Link 5: https://driverscollection.com/ (Search for the specific driver version)
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta offers a range of improvements and new features for users of compatible NVIDIA notebook GPUs. By following the pre-installation recommendations and ensuring compatibility with your hardware, you can leverage these updates to enhance your gaming experience and overall system performance. Remember to consult your notebook OEM for certified drivers and support specific to your laptop model. This Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta is a great option for users seeking performance improvements. Make sure to check the compatibility of the Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta with your system before installation. The Nvidia GeForce Ion Notebook Graphics Drivers 266.35 Beta can enhance the performance of your NVIDIA GPU.