Nvidia Quadro Graphics Driver 259.81 for Windows XP 64-bit

This article provides information regarding the Nvidia Quadro Graphics Driver 259.81 for Windows XP 64-bit. This driver package offers various updates, new features, and continued support for a range of Nvidia Quadro professional graphics cards running on the Windows XP 64-bit operating system. It’s important to note that while this driver was a significant release at the time, it is now considered legacy software. Users with older systems may find this driver useful, but those with newer hardware and operating systems should seek out more recent driver versions.

Key Updates and New Features in Driver 259.81

The Nvidia Quadro Graphics Driver 259.81 for Windows XP 64-bit introduced several notable enhancements, including:

• Expanded Hardware Support: The driver added support for the newly released Quadro 6000, Quadro 5000, Quadro 4000, Quadro 2000, and Quadro 600 series graphics cards. This expansion broadened the compatibility of the Quadro line with the Windows XP 64-bit platform.

• CUDA 3.1 Integration: This release incorporated support for CUDA 3.1, Nvidia’s parallel computing architecture. This integration provided improved performance in GPU Computing applications, enabling developers and researchers to leverage the power of Nvidia GPUs for computationally intensive tasks. More information on CUDA can be found on the Nvidia website: www.nvidia.com/cuda.

• OpenGL 4.0 Support: The Nvidia Quadro Graphics Driver 259.81 for Windows XP 64-bit brought support for OpenGL 4.0, a cross-language, cross-platform API for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics. This update enabled applications to utilize the latest OpenGL features for enhanced visual fidelity and performance.

• DirectX 11 Support: This driver also added support for DirectX 11, a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. This enabled users to experience DirectX 11 features on their compatible Quadro cards.

• ECC State Management: A new page was introduced specifically for GPUs supporting ECC (Error Correction Code). This page allowed users to:

  • Change the ECC state for supported GPUs, enabling or disabling error correction functionality.
  • View detailed GPU memory information, providing insights into memory usage and health.

• EDID Management: Accessible through the View System Topology page, the EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) Management feature offered the following capabilities:

  • View connector information, providing details about the connected displays.
  • Retrieve an EDID from a connected display and save it to disk for archival or troubleshooting purposes.
  • Force an EDID at a connector, allowing users to override the default EDID and specify a custom display configuration.
  • Remove a forced EDID from a connector, reverting to the default EDID settings.

• SDI Capture Page: The SDI (Serial Digital Interface) Capture page, previously limited to certain operating systems, became available with Windows Vista and Windows 7 drivers. This feature allowed for capturing video signals from SDI sources.

• Workstation Application Compatibility Fixes: The Nvidia Quadro Graphics Driver 259.81 for Windows XP 64-bit included various fixes to improve compatibility with workstation applications. For detailed information on specific fixes, feature limitations, and known compatibility issues, users were advised to consult the release notes accompanying the driver.

Existing Support

In addition to the new features, the driver also maintained existing support for the following technologies:

• OpenCL 1.0: Support for the Open Computing Language (OpenCL) 1.0 was included for Quadro FX Series x700 and newer cards, as well as the FX4600 and FX5600. OpenCL allows developers to write code that can be executed across a variety of platforms, including GPUs.

• NVIDIA SLI Technology: Support for NVIDIA SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology (two-way SLI) was provided for DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboard systems from select OEMs. SLI allows multiple GPUs to work together to improve performance.

• DDC-Ci/MCCS over DisplayPort AUX Channel: The driver supported DDC-Ci/MCCS (Display Data Channel Command Interface/Monitor Control Command Set) over the DisplayPort AUX channel, enabling communication between the graphics card and the display for advanced control and configuration.

• 10-bits per color (10bpc) DisplayPort Support: 10bpc DisplayPort support was available for full-screen applications on supported products, enabling a wider range of colors for improved visual fidelity.

• International Driver Availability: Users with non-US English operating systems could select their preferred language and download the appropriate international driver version.

Supported Products

The Nvidia Quadro Graphics Driver 259.81 for Windows XP 64-bit supported a wide range of Quadro graphics cards, including the following series:

• Quadro Series: 5000, 2000, 6000, 4000, 600

• Quadro FX Series: FX 1400, FX 5600, FX 4500, FX 3450, FX 4500 X2, FX 5800, FX 4000, FX 4800, FX 350, FX 560, FX 1500, FX 4600, FX 3800, FX 370, FX 580, FX 5500, FX 3700, FX 570, FX 1800, FX 370 Low Profile, FX 1700, FX 540, FX 4700 X2, FX 3500, FX 380, FX 3400/4400, FX 550, CX, FX 380 Low Profile

• Quadro NVS Series: NVS 440, NVS 285, NVS 450, NVS 295, NVS 420, NVS 290

• Quadro Blade/Embedded Graphics Board Series: Quadro NVS 120M, Quadro FX 1600M, Quadro FX 560M, Quadro FX 370M, Quadro FX 770M, Quadro FX 880M, Quadro FX 3600M, Quadro FX 2800M

Download Links

It’s crucial to download the appropriate driver for your specific hardware and operating system. Here are several download links for the Nvidia Quadro Graphics Driver 259.81 for Windows XP 64-bit:

1. TechSpot: https://www.techspot.com/drivers/driver/file/information/14588/
2. Softpedia: (Consider searching on Softpedia, as direct links can change. Look for "Nvidia Quadro Driver 259.81 Windows XP 64-bit".)
3. DriverGuide: (Search on DriverGuide for this specific driver. Remember to exercise caution when downloading from third-party driver sites.)
4. Nvidia Legacy Drivers Archive: (Check the Nvidia website for their legacy driver archive, though availability can vary.)
5. Station-Drivers: (A reliable source for older drivers; search for the specific driver version.)

Important Considerations:

• Compatibility: Ensure that the driver is compatible with your specific Quadro graphics card and Windows XP 64-bit operating system.
• Installation: Carefully follow the installation instructions provided by Nvidia.
• Release Notes: Review the release notes for any known issues, limitations, or specific instructions related to your hardware configuration.
• Backup: Before installing any new driver, it’s always a good practice to create a system restore point or back up your existing drivers in case you need to revert to a previous configuration.

The Nvidia Quadro Graphics Driver 259.81 for Windows XP 64-bit was a significant update for its time, offering expanded hardware support, CUDA integration, OpenGL and DirectX updates, and improved workstation application compatibility. While it is now considered a legacy driver, it remains relevant for users with older Quadro graphics cards running on the Windows XP 64-bit platform. Always ensure compatibility and follow installation instructions carefully for optimal performance and stability.