SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 3:10 am Post subject: BENEFITS of Updated Drivers

It seems that there's an aura of negativity surrounding the topic of updated drivers on this forum. While some newer drivers may cause problems with games, some might also help a great deal. Some reasons to upgrade:

-Old drivers are problematic (the "DUHHHH" reason)

-PhysX Support: If you have nVIDIA PhysX-capable GPU's, and you need PhysX acceleration, the only place you'll find them are new drivers

-2-way and 3-way SLI capability to GTX200 series GPU's on Intel D5400XS motherboards

-CUDA support

-Folding@Home GPU support

-3D application performance improvements (e.g. 11% increase in Assassin's Creed DX10 in single GPU configuration; 12% increase in Enemy Territory: Quake Wars with 2-way SLI GPU configuration, and many more)

-Numerous 3D application compatibility fixes

Remember, just because a driver version conflicts with a game, that doesn't mean all subsequent drivers will have that same problem. Quite the contrary, in fact. Drivers are continually being fixed and checked for bugs, and other problems, so it's very likely that on a future version the problem is fixed. And, of course, if you do have an issue, you can always roll back to an earlier version.

Otherwise, if all you do is play FS2004 on a 6600GT all day, and you're content, then I would not see why you'd need a driver update, besides maybe squeezing a little more performance out of the card. But, if you're satisfied with the performance already and don't want to hassle, then keeping a driver is no problem.

On the other hand, for a person like me, who uses PhysX-capable GPU's, and plays games like Assassin's Creed DX10 and benchmarks with 3DMark Vantage, then the driver updates are enticing, and from experience, I can say that they're worth it.

But like I mentioned earlier, if all you do is play FS2004 and surf the web on your 6600, have no need to update, and don't want the hassle, then in that situation, there's no problem with using old drivers.

Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:15 am Post subject:

I'll chime in on this one.

As for Nvidia cards, PRE-PCI. Another words, those that still use AGP cards. Don't do it, unless you have a substantial problem. 90% of those with Nvidia AGP cards, are better off reinstalling their original drivers off the CD, than getting the newer or newest version(s) of driver(s). Most will make things worse. And that is coming from 4 yrs experience, with 3 different Nvidia AGP cards.

Those that don't have AGP, and have PCIe, then I can't say, as I don't know.

For those with ATI cards, they are more forgiving, or done better. I don't see alot of complaints or problems, when the drivers have been updated. Or at least, I haven't seen too many.

But, if you do have a newer card, that is compatible with something, that isn't out yet, and it is later, then by all means, get it. Take advantage of what it can do. But if you have a problem, make sure your able to roll back your driver, until a newer one is available.

RD