Thursday, March 22nd 2012
NVIDIA Releases the 301.10 WHQL Driver for the GeForce GTX 680
Since the GTX 680 will be launched later today, NVIDIA has decided to go ahead and publish the first (official) driver that supports its Kepler-powered card. Known as 301.10, this driver is WHQL certified, it only knows the GeForce GTX 680 (you'll need a modified inf file for 'expanded' support), and is bundled with the PhysX System Software v9.12.0213 (plus HD Audio v1.3.12.0).
GeForce 301.10 WHQL (Windows 7/Vista 32-bit) / GeForce 301.10 WHQL (Windows 7/Vista 64-bit)
The GeForce 301.10 includes the following highlights:
New Features
● NVIDIA GPU Boost Technology - dynamically maximizes clock speeds based on workload of the game to push performance to new levels and bring out the best in every game.
● NVIDIA FXAA Technology - shader-based anti-aliasing technology available from the NVIDIA Control Panel that enables ultra-fast anti-aliasing in hundreds of PC games. FXAA delivers similar quality to 4x multi-sample antialiasing (MSAA) but is up to 60% faster, enabling substantially higher performance in games. Note: This feature is disabled for games already have built-in support for FXAA.
● NVIDIA Adaptive Vertical Sync - dynamically enables vertical sync based on your current frame rates for the smoothest gaming experience.
● NVIDIA Frame Rate Target - dynamically adjusts frame rate to a user specified target. Support for this feature is enabled via third party applications via NVAPI.
● NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround Technology - with a single GeForce GTX 680 you can expand your PC games across three displays in full stereoscopic 3D for the ultimate "inside the game" experience. NVIDIA Surround also supports triple screen gaming with non-3D Vision monitors.
New Surround features:
- Add in a fourth accessory display to get access to your email, web, or other applications while you game.
- Maximize an application to a single physical display when in Surround mode (enabled by default).
- Confine the Windows Taskbar to the center display (enabled by default).
- Enable bezel peeking - a feature which enables users to temporarily 'peak' behind the monitor bezels using a hotkey (Ctrl + Alt + B). This feature is designed to be used in conjunction with bezel corrected resolutions.
- Enables users to add or remove resolutions from the list of Surround resolutions (only those selected will be available to applications).
- Enables full center display acceleration for single wide display modes (center display must be connected to the master GPU).
● NVIDIA NVENC Support - adds support for the new hardware-based H.264 video encoder in GeForce GTX 680, providing up to 4x faster encoding performance while consuming less power.
GeForce 301.10 WHQL (Windows 7/Vista 32-bit) / GeForce 301.10 WHQL (Windows 7/Vista 64-bit)
New Features
● NVIDIA GPU Boost Technology - dynamically maximizes clock speeds based on workload of the game to push performance to new levels and bring out the best in every game.
● NVIDIA FXAA Technology - shader-based anti-aliasing technology available from the NVIDIA Control Panel that enables ultra-fast anti-aliasing in hundreds of PC games. FXAA delivers similar quality to 4x multi-sample antialiasing (MSAA) but is up to 60% faster, enabling substantially higher performance in games. Note: This feature is disabled for games already have built-in support for FXAA.
● NVIDIA Adaptive Vertical Sync - dynamically enables vertical sync based on your current frame rates for the smoothest gaming experience.
● NVIDIA Frame Rate Target - dynamically adjusts frame rate to a user specified target. Support for this feature is enabled via third party applications via NVAPI.
● NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround Technology - with a single GeForce GTX 680 you can expand your PC games across three displays in full stereoscopic 3D for the ultimate "inside the game" experience. NVIDIA Surround also supports triple screen gaming with non-3D Vision monitors.
New Surround features:
- Add in a fourth accessory display to get access to your email, web, or other applications while you game.
- Maximize an application to a single physical display when in Surround mode (enabled by default).
- Confine the Windows Taskbar to the center display (enabled by default).
- Enable bezel peeking - a feature which enables users to temporarily 'peak' behind the monitor bezels using a hotkey (Ctrl + Alt + B). This feature is designed to be used in conjunction with bezel corrected resolutions.
- Enables users to add or remove resolutions from the list of Surround resolutions (only those selected will be available to applications).
- Enables full center display acceleration for single wide display modes (center display must be connected to the master GPU).
● NVIDIA NVENC Support - adds support for the new hardware-based H.264 video encoder in GeForce GTX 680, providing up to 4x faster encoding performance while consuming less power.
36 Comments on NVIDIA Releases the 301.10 WHQL Driver for the GeForce GTX 680
but its ok, i think its only at this place because i saw that at another place most are between $650-$720 and in my books, thats not too bad really considering that the 580 cost about that when it came out.
How much are gtx 580's for you guys?
Also in my geography class last year during my last year at high school, we were told how Norway is one of the most expensive places to live. Now I see the facts :O.
It's no excuse but I think I just had enough of all the inflated price here in Australia for products when you compare it to the US.
And so much for Nvidia's made up TDP.
GTX 580 at Komplett.no currently goes from $570 for stock Zotac models to $720 USD for a liquid cooled PNY card.
7950 goes from $620 to $950 USD.
World Of Warcraft DX11 with max settings now plus additional ambient occlusion at High feels smooth even though it drops down to as low as 35fps at some points.
The transition from vsync on at 60fps to vsync off below that is not evident at all(other than very minimal tearing) With afterburner running in the background with the framelimiter at 60fps it also eliminates any potential mouse lag when vsynced at the 60fps.
I urge any Nvidia User to try these with a modded inf as they also incorporate FXAA in the control panel as well. (Previously only available through injectors or Inspector)
Going to try alot more games and report back but so far looking like great drivers. I also had a bump in performance.