Driver update package; how would you know if it included your card?

[videobruce]

When a manufacture (ATI or nVidea) updates their driver package, just how can one know if your specific card was updated? Other than release notes that address specific issues with specific cards, just how could anyone know if updateing would be worth it?

IOW's you could wind up re-installing the same files for your card especially if it is a older card.

Before anyone suggests; if you aren't having issues with your system, don't upgrade,,while that might be true, there could be performance issues that might be addressed with a newer driver version. On the other hand, I do understand; if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Input.

[Favu]

I guess it really depends on the age of your card, I tend to install the latest drivers at the time and then leave it alone unless I have problems

[danrok]

Drivers are unified these days. Not all the coding and configuration is specific to individual cards.

You need to use the latest drivers to ensure best compatibilty with software, e.g. DirectX and newer games. If you want to run a really old game, you might find that the graphics are broken with a new driver, and that you need to use an old driver to play that game.

After installing the latest drivers, if you have issues, revert back to the older ones.

It's not all about gaining performance or fixing bugs, updates can also include refinements to image quality, effects, etc. Most quality enhancements are going to be sublte and not obviously apparent.

[videobruce]

It's not all about gaining performance or fixing bugs, updates can also include refinements to image quality, effects, etc. Most quality enhancements are going to be sublte and not obviously apparent.

I understand that, but why point is everything you mentioned would be an assumption. And you know what is said about those.

I don't like going through the whole process just on an assumption the update might be better for my card. BTW, the cards are only a few years old.

[danrok]

The older a card is, the less inclined I am to look out for new drivers.

I think the point you raise applies to software in general. Just because it is newer doesn't mean, by default, it is better or that you need it.

I think, when it comes to drivers, vendors have so much work to do and so many new things to keep up with. So, they quite possibly cannot be bothered to fully document drivers in fine detail. They're already working on the next set when they release the current ones.

[videobruce]

So, they quite possibly cannot be bothered to fully document drivers in fine detail. They're already working on the next set when they release the current ones.

Completely understand this.

[cadaveca]

Typically, the last of a series is the best driver for a given platform. For example, for cards released in 2006 By ATI, the Catalyst 6.12 works best. For cards released in 2005, 5.13 works best(5.13 was extra driver release during 12-month driver cycle @ one per month).

Same goes for nVidia...8x.xx-series for 7800's, 9x.xx for 7900's, 100.xx for 8800's.

When new stuff comes out hardware wise, manufacturere's focus on that platform, as you can easily imagine. Sometimes changes for one platform create problems for the previous one.

A t the same time, when it come to games, certain drivers apply to games, usually the driver released the month after the release fo the game.

[JimF]

I haven't seen any downside to using the latest drivers on what is now a fairly old card - unless you count the 'improved' NVidia control panel.

If the driver is not intended for a specific card then the install routine will tell you (unless Tweaks R Us have moded it to work anyway).