This article provides information about the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.70, a driver released in December 2012 for 64-bit versions of Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. It is designed to improve the performance and stability of Nvidia GeForce notebook GPUs. This comprehensive overview will detail the driver’s purpose, key features, compatible hardware, and important considerations before installation.
Overview
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.70 is a reference driver offered as part of the Nvidia Notebook Driver Program. This program aims to provide users with access to the latest driver technology for their notebook GPUs. The driver, file name 310.70-notebook-win8-win7-winvista-64bit-international.exe, was last updated on December 4, 2012.
It’s important to understand that while Nvidia provides these reference drivers, notebook original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) often customize and certify drivers specifically for their individual notebook models. These OEM-certified drivers are typically available on the manufacturer’s website and are recommended for optimal compatibility and stability. Nvidia strongly advises users to check with their notebook OEM for recommended software updates before installing this or any other reference driver. It’s also important to acknowledge that OEMs may not provide technical support for issues that arise from using reference drivers like the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.70.
What’s New in the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.70
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.70 focused on enhancing the gaming experience, particularly for recently released titles. Key improvements included:
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Far Cry 3 Optimizations: This driver release introduced significant optimizations for Far Cry 3, promising up to a 38% performance increase. This meant smoother gameplay, higher frame rates, and improved visual fidelity in this graphically demanding title.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Optimizations: Building upon previous releases, the 310.70 driver included optimizations for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, providing up to a 26% performance boost.
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Assassin’s Creed III Optimizations: Similar to Call of Duty, the driver also offered improved performance in Assassin’s Creed III, with gains of up to 18%.
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TXAA Antialiasing: The driver enabled and optimized TXAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing) in both Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Assassin’s Creed III. TXAA is an advanced antialiasing technique that reduces shimmering and jagged edges, resulting in smoother and more visually appealing graphics.
Additional Details
While the original document lacks explicit "Additional Details," it is important to note general aspects of Nvidia drivers and their potential benefits:
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Performance Improvements: Beyond the specific game optimizations, the driver likely included general performance improvements and bug fixes that could benefit other games and applications.
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Feature Support: New drivers often introduce or enhance support for various Nvidia technologies, such as PhysX for realistic physics effects, and 3D Vision for stereoscopic 3D gaming.
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Stability Enhancements: Driver updates typically address known stability issues and improve the overall reliability of the graphics card.
Supported Products
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.70 supports a wide range of Nvidia GeForce notebook GPUs. A comprehensive list of supported GPUs should be available in the driver’s release notes or on the Nvidia website. While this information is not available in the provided document, it’s crucial to confirm compatibility before installing the driver.
Exceptions
As noted in the original document, there may be exceptions to the supported product list. Certain notebook models or configurations may not be fully compatible with the reference driver due to OEM-specific customizations or hardware limitations. These exceptions would also be detailed in the driver’s release notes or on the Nvidia website.
Important Considerations Before Installation
Before downloading and installing the Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.70, consider the following:
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Check Your OEM’s Website: As emphasized by Nvidia, the most crucial step is to visit your notebook manufacturer’s website and check for certified drivers specifically designed for your model. These drivers are tailored to your notebook’s hardware and software configuration and are more likely to provide optimal performance and stability.
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Back Up Your Existing Drivers: Before installing any new driver, it’s always a good practice to back up your existing graphics drivers. This allows you to easily revert to the previous driver if you encounter any issues with the new one.
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Read the Release Notes: Carefully review the driver’s release notes. These notes contain important information about new features, bug fixes, known issues, and compatibility information.
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Clean Installation: Consider performing a clean installation of the driver. This involves completely removing the old driver before installing the new one. This can help prevent conflicts and ensure a smoother installation process.
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System Requirements: Ensure that your system meets the minimum system requirements for the driver. This includes the operating system (Windows Vista/7/8 64-bit) and any other hardware or software prerequisites.
Downloading the Driver
The original driver file, 310.70-notebook-win8-win7-winvista-64bit-international.exe, may be available for download from various driver repositories online. However, it is advisable to prioritize downloading from trusted sources to avoid potential malware or corrupted files.
Alternative Download Link:
While finding the original file directly might be challenging due to its age, you can often find it archived on driver download sites like Softpedia: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/GRAPHICS-BOARD/NVIDIA/NVIDIA-GeForce-31070-Driver.shtml
Always verify the file’s authenticity before installation.
Conclusion
The Nvidia GeForce Notebook Graphics Driver 310.70 was an important release for Nvidia notebook users in 2012, offering significant performance improvements for popular games like Far Cry 3, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, and Assassin’s Creed III. However, it’s crucial to remember that this is a reference driver, and checking with your notebook OEM for certified drivers is highly recommended for optimal compatibility and stability. Always prioritize driver safety by downloading from reputable sources and backing up your existing drivers before installation.