Wednesday, November 19th 2008
NVIDIA GeForce 180.48 WHQL Drivers Released
NVIDIA has updated its graphics card drivers to version 180.48 today. The list of new features and enhancements is too big to fit on the front page so you'll need to hit the "Read full story" marker for comprehensive information.
DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce Release 180.48 WHQL
Exciting New Features:
Source:
NVIDIA
DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce Release 180.48 WHQL
Exciting New Features:
- Enables NVIDIA SLI technology on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards with the following GPUs: GeForce GTX 280, GeForce GTX 260, GeForce 9800 GX2, GeForce 9800 GTX+, and GeForce 9800 GTX. Learn more here.
- Enables NVIDIA SLI Multi-monitor support, giving you the ability to use two monitors with your GeForce graphics cards in SLI mode. Now you can easily switch between multi-monitor desktop mode and full screen 3D gaming mode.
- Enables NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card. Use one card for graphics and dedicate a different card for PhysX processing for game-changing physical effects. Learn more here. (Note: GPU PhysX is supported on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics memory. This driver package automatically installs PhysX System Software version 8.10.13).
- Boosts performance in numerous 3D applications. The following are some examples of improvements measured with Release 180 WHQL drivers vs. Release 178 WHQL drivers (results will vary depending on your GPU, system configuration, and game settings):
- Up to 10% performance increase in 3DMark Vantage (performance preset)
- Up to 13% performance increase in Assassin's Creed
- Up to 13% performance increase in BioShock
- Up to 15% performance increase in Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
- Up to 10% performance increase in Crysis Warhead
- Up to 25% performance increase in Devil May Cry 4
- Up to 38% performance increase in Far Cry 2
- Up to 18% performance increase in Race Driver: GRID
- Up to 80% performance increase in Lost Planet: Colonies
- Up to 18% performance increase in World of Conflict
- Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL, including 3-way and Quad SLI technology.
- Supports CUDA.
- Supports Folding@home distributing computing application. Download the high performance client for NVIDIA GPUs here and join the NVIDIA team: #131015.
- Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.
- Includes numerous 3D application compatibility fixes. Please read the release notes for more information on product support, features, driver fixes and known compatibility issues.
42 Comments on NVIDIA GeForce 180.48 WHQL Drivers Released
So it was a bug? As peeps got lower frame rates with a dedicate GPU as PPU than with one card doing it all. Now alll we need is for someone to compare the performance of physx with these and previous drivers with 9500GT or similar, which were underpowered before.
edit: will do some Vantage and PhysX comparison with 177.83 and this.
edit2: results are in, note that FurMark doesn't work with new drivers (static image) and also that FluidMark shows desktop through, so it might alter results.
Vantage: +3.4%, FluidMark: -12%, FurMark: -0,7%
edit3: found FurMark 1.5 that works again, should be released soon.
177.83 + PhysX 8.09.04
180.48 + PhysX 8.10.13
FurMark 1.5.0
"Mirror’s Edge is a game that should be available early next year for PCs and will support PhysX hardware acceleration via the GPU (GeForce 8 and higher)."
techreport.com/discussions.x/15918
edit: gametrailers HD & 720p video here: forums.techpowerup.com/showpost.php?p=1068713&postcount=33
That sounds insane, can anyone confirm this, by the looks of it Nvida is raining on AMD parade big time, AMD/ATI barely had the crown for a moment in years, i expected this and good thing i didn't go rush out to by a new GPU from ATI like some fools just because of specs and hear say, a spec out highend card is useless without proper backing of drivers.
OK, I can see not everyone would even want to use an 8800 card on a new X58 board but still,...
Nothing big just my two bits,...
Anyway, no I probably wouldnt spend anywhere near a painful amount of money for a Core i7 system but remember that everyone has a different tolerance for pain. By which I mean to say I ordered an Intel Core i7 920 retail CPU and an ASUS P6T Deluxe for about ~$630 USD shipped. Those where the only parts I needed for the build because I have everything else. My estimate for the build was ~$600 USD way back when the firs reports of sub $300 USD entry level i7 920 CPUs were made. If I went for the MSI X58 Platinum instead of the ASUS P6T Deluxe it would have been about ~$540 USD. Anyway I planed the upgrade for what seems like a long time and I think I spent a reasonable amount given the circumstances. I'll be reusing the following parts though:
Patriot 2x1 GB DDR3 1333 1.5v (PC3 10600) PSD31G13332 (In use on Gigabyte P35C-DS3R LG775 will replace with DDR2)
XFX 8800GTS 640MB (on shelf unused)
Seagate 120GB / 320GB / 750GB HDD (on shelf unused)
NEC 3000 series DVD Burner (on shelf unused)
ViewSonic VX2235WN 22" (via VGA KVM)
Antec Server Case (on shelf unused)
ThermalRight HR-01 + 120mm Thermaltake Smart Case Fan (if I can find the Thermalright LGA1366 bolt-thru kits in stock somewhere otherwise Stock Intel cooling)
OCZ Stealth Xstream 600W PSU (on shelf unused)
Vbox Cat's Eye 164e PCIe X1 Dual Digital NTSC / ATSC Tuner (on shelf unused)
AverMedia A180 QAM PCI Tuner (on shelf unused)
ATI HDTV Wonder (on shelf unused)
I don't really want to run SLI at this time. I'd probably leave in the 8800GTS untill the GTX300 (or whatever they name their DX11) card comes out.