NVS Notebook Beta Driver v 179.28 is a reference driver. It can be installed on supported NVIDIA Quadro NVS notebook GPUs. However, it should be noted that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the notebook offers certified drivers for the specific notebook on their website.
NVIDIA advices to check with the notebook OEM about recommended software updates for the notebook. OEMs might not give technical support for issues that emerge from the use of this driver.
Before downloading this driver, the steps introduced below should be performed:
- Check to make sure that the notebook has a supported GPU and is not listed in the exclusion list (refer to the Products Supported tab below);
- It is recommended to backup the current system configuration.
The highlights of the driver are introduced below:
- Beta driver for Quadro NVS series notebook GPUs. Refer to the Products Supported tab for the list of supported GPUs and notebooks. Some notebooks are not supported by this release;
- Supports NVIDIA CUDA technology;
- Please read the release notes for more information on product support, features, and known compatibility issues.
This driver installs on the following GPUs with the exception of some notebooks introduced below:
- Quadro NVS 320M
- Quadro NVS 310M
- Quadro NVS 160M
- Quadro NVS 150M
- Quadro NVS 140M
- Quadro NVS 135M
- Quadro NVS 130M
The notebooks listed below are not supported in this release:
- Dell Latitude notebooks (the notebook OEM for driver support for these notebooks should be contacted);
- Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks (the notebook OEM for driver support for these notebooks should be contacted).
It should be noted that before proceeding with the driver installation it is suggested that you make sure the latest version available is installed and for the appropriate model/revision and Operating System. Also, it is strongly suggested to follow 'readme' instructions for installing drivers when available. Often restarting the system will be necessary for the new driver to become active and start functioning properly.
NVIDIA clearly heard the cries of many laptop users. Therefore, it is making some changes in their favor. Currently, the beta ForceWare drivers can be downloaded directly from its website for mobile GeForce 8M, 9M and Quadro NVS mobile graphics processors.
Users will be able to download the WHQL-certified version that supports all GeForce 7, 8, and 9 series and Quadro NVS series notebook GPUs, early next year. NVIDIA will continue to provide ForceWare for mobile platforms that way users do not have to wait on the system manufacturers.
With this Nvidia initiative users will be able to immediately take advantage of new features, improved application compatibility, and performance optimizations. The first graphics driver release from Nvidia is going to extend the Nvidia CUDA architecture to notebook GPUs.
Currently, NVIDIA has ForceWare 179.28 for the above mentioned GPUs for Windows Vista
x86, Windows Vista x64, Windows XP x86 and Windows XP x64 which basically covers everyone. However, NVIDIA is warning that the drivers are not going to work with the Dell Vostro series, Lenovo Thinkpads, Sony VAIO, and notebooks using Hybrid SLI technology. The completed, non-beta, set of drivers should be available in the first half of the year 2009.
The current beta 179.28 driver provides support for CUDA technology and PhysX hardware acceleration, just like the desktop counterparts. For the record, AMD has been offering mobile driver solutions for some time now, although it has its share of unsupported models from various manufactures as well, including Dell.
Resources:
NVIDIA introduces Quadro NVS Notebook Beta Drivers v 179.28 for Windows Vista
NVS Notebook Beta Drivers v 179.28 for Windows Vista released
The new NVIDIA Notebook Drivers available