This article provides information regarding the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta, a driver release designed for 64-bit versions of Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 operating systems. Released on November 12, 2012, this driver aimed to enhance the gaming experience, particularly in titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III, while also introducing various performance improvements and profile updates.
Understanding Reference Drivers and OEM Recommendations
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta falls under Nvidia’s Notebook Driver Program. These drivers are reference drivers, meaning they are designed to function with a broad range of Nvidia notebook GPUs. However, it’s crucial to understand the role of your notebook’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
OEMs, such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others, customize and certify drivers specifically for their notebook models. These certified drivers are often available on the OEM’s website and are tailored to the unique hardware configurations and thermal management systems of those specific laptops. Nvidia strongly recommends checking with your notebook OEM for recommended software updates before installing a reference driver. This is because OEMs may not provide technical support for issues arising from the use of Nvidia’s reference drivers.
Key Improvements and Features of the 310.54 Beta
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta offered several notable enhancements and additions, primarily focused on performance improvements, SLI profile updates, and 3D Vision profile updates.
Performance Boost
One of the primary goals of this beta driver was to increase performance in various PC games, especially for users with GeForce 400, 500, and 600 Series GPUs. Compared to the GeForce 306.97 WHQL drivers, the 310.54 Beta promised a performance boost, although the exact gains varied depending on the specific GPU and system configuration.
Notably, the driver was specifically optimized for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III. Nvidia claimed up to 26% faster performance in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and up to 18% faster performance in Assassin’s Creed III. Additionally, the driver aimed to deliver smooth, shimmer-free graphics in both games through the implementation of TXAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing) antialiasing technology.
Nvidia SLI Technology Updates
SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology allows users to combine the processing power of multiple Nvidia GPUs for increased performance. The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta included additions and updates to SLI profiles for various games. Specific games receiving updated or new SLI profiles were not listed in the original notes, implying a more general optimization rather than specific game titles.
Nvidia 3D Vision Updates
For users with 3D Vision-enabled notebooks, the 310.54 Beta provided updates to 3D Vision profiles. These profiles are designed to optimize the 3D viewing experience in specific games. The driver included updates carried over from the 310.33 release, as well as new updates exclusive to the 310.54 build.
3D Vision Profiles (from 310.33):
A list of games with updated or new 3D Vision profiles from the 310.33 release was provided. This list included titles like:
- 007 Legends
- Alan Wake
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 2
- Carrier Command: Gaea Mission
- CS: GO
- Dead or Alive 5
- Dishonored
- Dungeon Defenders
- FIFA 13
- Hawken
- ibb & obb
- Left 4 Dead 2
- Maximum The Hormone – Video
- MegaRace 1
- MegaRace 2
- Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- MLB 2K12
- Need for Speed: Most Wanted 2012
- Resident Evil 6
- Serious Sam 3: BFE
- Sniper Elite V2
- The Darkness II
- Tribes: Ascend
- War of the Roses
- World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
3D Vision Profiles (from 310.54):
The 310.54 release added or updated 3D Vision profiles for the following games:
- Assassin’s Creed III
- Natural Selection 2
- Planetside 2
Other Profile Updates
The driver also included other profile updates, but the specific details of these updates were not provided in the original release notes.
Nvidia CUDA and SSAA
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta included updates related to CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) and SSAA (SuperSample Anti-Aliasing). Specific details regarding these updates were not provided.
Additional Details
The release notes mentioned some additional details, including:
- Support for Nvidia TXAA.
- Support for DisplayPort 1.2.
- Support for Nvidia FXAA.
- Resolved a Microsoft Surface Pro issue.
- Includes Nvidia PhysX System Software.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta supported a wide range of Nvidia GeForce notebook GPUs. Specific models were not listed in the provided document.
Downloading the Driver
The original filename for the driver was 310.54-notebook-win8-win7-winvista-64bit-international-beta.exe.
Download Link: While direct links to the file from Nvidia are likely outdated, you may find the driver on archive websites. Please exercise caution when downloading files from unofficial sources and ensure you have adequate virus protection.
Alternative Download Link: A possible alternative source for the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta can be found on Driver Booster website.
Important Considerations Before Installation
Before installing the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta, consider the following:
- OEM Drivers: Always prioritize drivers certified by your notebook OEM. Check their website for the latest recommended drivers for your specific model.
- Compatibility: Ensure the driver is compatible with your notebook’s GPU and operating system (Windows Vista, 7, or 8 64-bit).
- Backup: Create a system restore point before installing any new driver. This allows you to revert to a previous state if you encounter issues.
- Clean Installation: Consider performing a clean installation of the driver by uninstalling the previous driver version first.
- Beta Status: Remember that this is a beta driver, meaning it may contain bugs or stability issues. Proceed with caution.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.54 Beta represented an effort to improve gaming performance and introduce new features for Nvidia notebook GPUs. While it offered potential benefits, users should carefully weigh the risks and benefits before installation, especially considering the availability of OEM-certified drivers. Always prioritize stability and compatibility, and remember to back up your system before making any driver changes. Always ensure you are downloading from a trusted source.