This article provides information regarding the Nvidia Notebook GeForce Graphics Driver 313.96 Beta, released on January 30, 2013. This driver is designed for notebooks equipped with compatible Nvidia GeForce GPUs running on 32-bit versions of Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8. It’s important to understand the nature of this driver – it’s a beta release and a reference driver within the NVIDIA Notebook Driver Program.
Understanding the Nvidia Notebook Driver Program and Beta Drivers
The NVIDIA Notebook Driver Program aims to provide users with the latest driver updates for their notebook GPUs. However, NVIDIA emphasizes that notebook manufacturers (OEMs) often customize drivers specifically for their individual notebook models. These OEM-certified drivers are generally recommended for optimal stability and performance.
A beta driver, like the 313.96 release, is a pre-release version of a driver. Beta drivers are released to gather feedback from users and identify potential issues before the final, stable version is launched. While beta drivers can offer performance improvements or new features, they may also contain bugs or compatibility issues. Therefore, users should exercise caution when installing a beta driver, especially on mission-critical systems.
OEM Driver Recommendation
NVIDIA strongly advises users to first check with their notebook OEM for recommended software updates. OEMs often perform extensive testing to ensure driver compatibility and stability with their specific hardware configurations. Using an OEM-certified driver generally provides the most reliable experience. If your OEM does not offer a driver as recent as the Nvidia Notebook GeForce Graphics Driver 313.96 Beta, you may consider proceeding with the beta driver, but be aware of the potential risks.
Benefits of the Nvidia Notebook GeForce Graphics Driver 313.96 Beta
This particular beta driver was released with specific optimizations for gaming. Notably, it was the recommended GeForce driver for the Crysis 3 Multiplayer Open Beta, promising a smoother gaming experience. Furthermore, it boasted significant SLI (Scalable Link Interface) performance improvements, up to 65% in some scenarios. SLI is a technology that allows multiple Nvidia GPUs to work together to enhance graphics performance.
Beyond Crysis 3, the GeForce R313 drivers, of which this beta is a part, also aimed to deliver performance increases in other popular games. These included:
- Assassin’s Creed III
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II
- Far Cry 3
Gamers experiencing performance issues in these titles might have seen a noticeable improvement by upgrading to this driver.
Key Features and Improvements in GeForce R313 Drivers
While the original release notes are limited, the R313 driver family likely included several features and improvements beyond the specific game optimizations mentioned above. These could include:
- General performance enhancements: Improvements to overall GPU performance across various applications and games.
- Bug fixes: Resolutions to known issues and glitches present in previous driver versions.
- Compatibility updates: Enhancements to ensure compatibility with the latest games and software.
- New feature support: Potentially, the introduction of support for new GPU features or technologies.
Supported Products
The Nvidia Notebook GeForce Graphics Driver 313.96 Beta supported a wide range of Nvidia GeForce notebook GPUs. A comprehensive list of supported GPUs was included in the original release notes. It’s important to consult the original documentation or NVIDIA’s website to confirm whether your specific GPU model is supported.
Important Considerations and Exceptions
While this driver was designed to work with a broad range of notebook GPUs, certain exceptions may have applied. Some notebook models might have required specific drivers from the OEM due to unique hardware configurations or customizations. Users should carefully review the release notes and any documentation provided by their notebook manufacturer to determine if the 313.96 beta driver is suitable for their system.
Installation and Download Information
The driver filename is 313.96-notebook-win8-win7-winvista-32bit-international-beta.exe.
Before installing any new driver, it is generally recommended to:
- Create a system restore point: This allows you to revert to your previous configuration if any issues arise during or after the driver installation.
- Back up your important data: While driver installations are generally safe, it’s always prudent to back up your critical files to prevent data loss in case of unforeseen problems.
- Uninstall your existing Nvidia driver: Using the Windows Control Panel, uninstall your current Nvidia graphics driver to ensure a clean installation of the new driver.
Download Links:
While it’s always best to download drivers from the official NVIDIA website (check for archived drivers), here’s the original filename for your convenience:
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Original Download Link: The original download link was likely on NVIDIA’s website within the notebook drivers section, but may no longer be active. Check the NVIDIA driver archive.
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Alternative Download Link: You can also find the Nvidia Notebook GeForce Graphics Driver 313.96 Beta on driver download sites such as Softpedia: https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/Graphics-Board/NVIDIA/NVIDIA-GeForce-313-96-Beta-Driver.shtml (Use at your own risk, always scan downloaded files with an antivirus program).
Disclaimer:
This information is based on the available details regarding the Nvidia Notebook GeForce Graphics Driver 313.96 Beta. As a beta driver released in 2013, some information may be outdated. Always consult the official NVIDIA website and your notebook OEM for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding driver compatibility and recommendations. Remember to proceed with caution when installing beta drivers and to back up your system before making any changes. Using the Nvidia Notebook GeForce Graphics Driver 313.96 Beta may not be ideal for all systems, so check for compatibility before installation.