Introduction: Welcome back, from Before Dark at least it's been a while! To begin Nvidia over the last few weeks has prepped, produced and published two new sets of drivers. Revisions 181.20 WHQL and 181.22 Beta sets will be on test. Do note the testing system has had a slight update, a new monitor and so new resolutions will be tested and as a result of this the previous graphing system has been updated and so previous results will not be included (but are still available in past articles – Note I’ll even make a round off article for last year). The most notable includes are the newer PhysX driver software and general bug fixes for the 181.xx sets (see below).
New Features to this release:
- Added support for GeForce GTX 295 and GeForce GTX 285
- Enables NVIDIA SLI technology on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards with all SLI-certified GPUs.
- 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).
- Supports GeForce Plus Power Pack #2.
- Added support for the new NVIDIA CUDA Video Encoder with H.264 optimization.
New Features (as of 180.xx onwards):
- 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
- 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. (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).
Predicted performance increases (from 178.24 WHQL):
- 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
Testing methods
Benchmarks used:
- F.E.A.R (built in performance tester) - Maximum settings, no soft shadows.
- 3D Mark 06 and Vantage.
- Crysis War Head (benchmark application from here, using the ambush map).
- World In Conflict Standard test ran at "High Quality".
- S.T.AL.K.E.R Clear Sky - Used a custom time demo and recorded the frame rate (average frame rate given).
- Far Cry 2 - built in benchmarking tool.
- Mirrors Edge - Used a custom time demo and recorded the frame rate (average frame rate given).
Hardware used:
- Intel Q6600 Overclocked to 3Ghz
- Abit IP-35 E
- 4GB of OCZ Plat at 667Mhz (CL4)
- Nvidia GeForce 9600GT
- Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music
Software:
- Microsoft Windows Vista x64 Ultimate
- Fraps, for screen captures.
Cards supported by this driver (included .inf):
GeForce GTX 295
GeForce GTX 285
GeForce GTX 280
GeForce GTX 260
GeForce 9800 GX2
GeForce 9800 GTX+
GeForce 9800 GTX
GeForce 9800 GT
GeForce 9600 GT
GeForce 9600 GSO
GeForce 9500 GT
GeForce 9500 GS
GeForce 9400 GT
GeForce 9400
GeForce 9300
GeForce 9200
GeForce 8800 Ultra
GeForce 8800 GTX
GeForce 8800 GTS 512
GeForce 8800 GTS
GeForce 8800 GT
GeForce 8800 GS
