This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73, specifically designed for 32-bit versions of Windows 7 and Vista. Released on February 21, 2012, this driver package represents a significant update for users of Nvidia GeForce notebook GPUs, bringing performance enhancements, new features, and WHQL certification.
Overview of the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73 is a reference driver distributed under the NVIDIA Verde Notebook Driver Program. This program aims to provide users with the latest driver technology for their notebook GPUs. Reference drivers are designed to work across a range of supported GPUs, offering a unified driver experience.
However, it’s crucial to understand the role of your notebook’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM). OEMs often customize drivers to optimize performance and stability for their specific notebook models. Nvidia strongly recommends checking your notebook OEM’s website for certified drivers tailored to your system. Using reference drivers may lead to compatibility issues or unsupported features, and OEMs might not provide technical support for problems arising from their use.
Download Link: You can download the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73 here.
Alternative Download Links:
- Softpedia: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/Graphics-Board/NVIDIA/NVIDIA-GeForce-295-73-Driver.shtml
- Guru3D: Please note that Guru3D is a reputable source, but driver links are often archived and may not be directly available.
- DriverGuide: DriverGuide requires registration and offers a mix of official and user-submitted drivers. Exercise caution.
- FileHorse: FileHorse may have older versions of drivers archived.
- MajorGeeks: MajorGeeks is a reliable source for software downloads, but availability of this specific driver needs to be checked.
Filename: 295.73-notebook-win7-winvista-32bit-international-whql.exe
Last Updated: February 21, 2012
What’s New in the 295.73 Driver?
The 295.73 driver is the first WHQL-certified release from the R295 driver family. This certification from Microsoft signifies that the driver has passed rigorous testing and meets specific quality and compatibility standards. This makes it a recommended upgrade for all Nvidia notebook users, especially those who enjoy playing graphically demanding PC games.
This Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73 promises enhanced performance and visual quality in popular titles like:
- Battlefield 3
- Diablo III
- Mass Effect 3
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
These enhancements are part of Nvidia’s ongoing effort to deliver GeForce-exclusive features and optimizations, providing gamers with the best possible experience on their Nvidia-powered notebooks.
For a more in-depth look at the features and improvements included in this driver, you can refer to the official GeForce 295.73 driver article on GeForce.com (link provided in original article).
Key Highlights of the R295 Driver Series
The R295 driver series, to which the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73 belongs, brought several notable improvements over previous releases. These can be broadly categorized into performance enhancements, ambient occlusion improvements, SLI profile updates, 3D Vision enhancements, PhysX updates, and HD Audio improvements.
Performance Improvements
While specific performance gains varied depending on the game and hardware configuration, the R295 drivers generally aimed to boost frame rates and reduce stuttering in popular games. Driver optimizations are crucial for extracting maximum performance from your GPU, and this release sought to deliver those gains.
Ambient Occlusion
Ambient occlusion is a rendering technique that adds depth and realism to scenes by simulating the way light interacts with surfaces. The R295 drivers included improvements to ambient occlusion, resulting in more visually appealing and immersive gaming experiences. Specific details about the changes were not listed.
NVIDIA SLI Technology
For users with notebooks equipped with multiple Nvidia GPUs in an SLI configuration, the R295 drivers brought updated SLI profiles for various games. SLI profiles are essential for properly distributing the workload across multiple GPUs, ensuring optimal performance and preventing graphical anomalies. The specific games with updated profiles were not listed in the provided extract.
NVIDIA 3D Vision
The R295 drivers also included enhancements for NVIDIA 3D Vision, Nvidia’s stereoscopic 3D technology. These enhancements aimed to improve the 3D gaming experience, potentially through better compatibility, reduced ghosting, or improved image quality. Specific improvements were not listed in the extract.
NVIDIA PhysX
PhysX is Nvidia’s physics engine, which adds realistic physics effects to games. The R295 drivers likely included updates to the PhysX engine, potentially improving performance and stability of PhysX-enabled games. Specific details were not listed.
HD Audio
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73 also included updates for HD Audio, ensuring proper audio output and compatibility with various audio devices.
Battlefield 3 Specific Optimizations
The release notes specifically highlighted optimizations for Battlefield 3, indicating that Nvidia had worked to improve performance and stability in this popular title. This could include tweaks to rendering techniques, resource management, or other driver-level optimizations.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73 supports a wide range of Nvidia GeForce notebook GPUs, spanning several generations. Here’s a breakdown of the supported series and specific models:
- GeForce 500M Series (Notebooks): GeForce GTX 580M, GeForce GTX 570M, GeForce GTX 560M, GeForce GT 555M, GeForce GT 550M, GeForce GT 540M, GeForce GT 525M, GeForce GT 520M, GeForce GT 520MX
- GeForce 400M Series (Notebooks): GeForce GTX 485M, GeForce GTX 480M, GeForce GTX 470M, GeForce GTX 460M, GeForce GT 445M, GeForce GT 435M, GeForce GT 425M, GeForce GT 420M, GeForce GT 415M, GeForce 410M
- GeForce 300M Series (Notebooks): GeForce GTS 360M, GeForce GTS 350M, GeForce GT 335M, GeForce GT 330M, GeForce GT 325M, GeForce GT 320M, GeForce 320M, GeForce 315M, GeForce 310M, GeForce 305M
- GeForce 200M Series (Notebooks): GeForce GTX 285M, GeForce GTX 280M, GeForce GTX 260M, GeForce GTS 260M, GeForce GTS 250M, GeForce GT 240M, GeForce GT 230M, GeForce GT 220M, GeForce G210M
- GeForce 100M Series (Notebooks): GeForce GTS 160M, GeForce GT 130M, GeForce GT 120M, GeForce G 110M, GeForce G 105M, GeForce G 103M, GeForce G 102M
- GeForce 9M Series (Notebooks): GeForce 9800M GTX, GeForce 9800M GTS, GeForce 9800M GT, GeForce 9800M GS, GeForce 9700M GTS, GeForce 9700M GT, GeForce 9650M GT, GeForce 9650M GS, GeForce 9600M GT, GeForce 9600M GS, GeForce 9500M GS, GeForce 9500M G, GeForce 9400M G, GeForce 9400M, GeForce 9300M GS, GeForce 9300M G, GeForce 9200M GS, GeForce 9100M G
- GeForce 8M Series (Notebooks): GeForce 8800M GTX, GeForce 8800M GTS, GeForce 8800M GS, GeForce 8700M GT, GeForce 8600M GT, GeForce 8600M GS, GeForce 8400M GT, GeForce 8400M GS, GeForce 8400M G, GeForce 8200M G, GeForce 8200M
Important Considerations Before Installation
Before downloading and installing the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 295.73, it is crucial to consider the following:
- OEM Recommendation: As previously emphasized, Nvidia recommends checking your notebook OEM’s website for certified drivers specific to your model. These drivers are often optimized for your hardware configuration and may provide better stability and performance.
- Operating System Compatibility: This driver is specifically designed for 32-bit versions of Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Ensure that your operating system matches this requirement.
- Backup: It is always a good practice to back up your system before installing any new drivers. This allows you to easily revert to your previous configuration if any issues arise.
- Clean Installation: Consider performing a clean installation of the driver. This involves uninstalling the previous driver and deleting any associated files before installing the new one. This can help prevent conflicts and ensure a smooth installation process.
By carefully considering these factors and following the recommended guidelines, you can maximize the chances of a successful and beneficial driver update. Remember to always prioritize the drivers recommended by your notebook’s OEM for the best possible experience.