Nvidia is offering me an 'updated' 7 driver is it safe or no?

[Tinsby]

Currently using the video driver 332.21 from Nvidia for my GeForce GTS8800 card.

Now they are offering me a new one v340.52 is this an improvement or just a lateral move that will cause me more headaches? The 332.21 does fail at times but always recovers.

I'll get the new one if it will improve the reliability.

Thank you!

 

[AddRAM]

Always install the latest driver.

 

[NoN]

Might also have a look at the NviDia revision history of the drivers. They might tell the changes made.

 

[Tinsby]

Always install the latest driver.

In most cases I agree, but I have had limited success using that school of thought with this Nvidia card.

That's why I asked the question, I normally trust other drivers but not Nvidia. They don't seem to have the best reputation for reliability.

Regards,

J T

 

[oneeyed]

If you don't play the very latest games then unless there's a new feature that interests you, these updates are not really necessary (or even recommended IMHO : they can add glitches/incompatiblities for older games).

Download the changelogs (http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/340.52/340.52-win8-win7-winvista-desktop-release-notes.pdf) and you'll notice that its mainly about bug fixes/performance improvements applying only to very recent games, or to introduce the newest chips into the driver.

About the reliability, I've never had any problems with Nvidia drivers and I've owned NVidia only for at least 10 years. And since you also use Linux, the reliability/performance using proprietary drivers in that OS is just way ahead of ATI.

 

[Tinsby]

I am no gamer either, but it would be nice to have a driver that doesn't give errors and fails to start at times. I did install the update but am ready to revert to the old one if this one acts up.

Yes I use Ubuntu/Linux with great success, but Linus Torvalds doesn't have the high opinion that you do of Nvidia. Look at this YouTube interview with him on that topic: Linus Torvalds: Nvidia, Fuck You! - YouTube let's just say he doesn't hold back on how he feels......


J T

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
You can check this out but so far the new driver seems okay,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/327414-nvidia-drivers-avoid-problems.html

 

[Layback Bear]

For about a year I have been getting my Nvidia drivers from Windows 7 Updates.

No they will not be the newest drivers Nvidia has available.
They will be the latest Nvidia drivers that Microsoft has verified to work well with Windows 7.

The first thing a driver must do is keep Windows 7 happy. After that comes all the goodies for games ect.

 

[ThrashZone]

I'm with Bear on this one I tried dealing with NVidia ....
Stick a fork in me I'm done with it I'll get them via windows update too

 

[Faladu]

If your Windows performance is golden to you, I wouldn't touch video card drivers.

As others have said, check out the notes, and I'd go further and search on that particular driver, and see if you get a lot of negative results.

A well known respected site for all things video (including huge driver download area (old and new)):
Guru3D.com

 

[Layback Bear]

I have been using 340.52 received by Windows Updates for quiet some time with no problems on two systems.
GTX 460 & GTX 770 cards.