The best nVidia driver to use...?

[Amana]

Which is the best nVidia driver to use w/Bioshock? I'm using now 178.24 (last one), but I think game could look better (I have already tweaked the game to the best...). These are my PC specs:

P4 3.2
2Gb Ram
ASUS 6800 GT 256 ddr3
Samsung SyncMaster 710n lcd monitor
1024x768 res
Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit

Thx in advance >>----->

[Amana]

No >>----> one?
Just for your knowledge: ngohq (www.ngohq.com) did a modded nVidia driver (2.9792) which works 101% with GTA San Andreas, like no other (I tried 8 others, including the nVidia certified ones).

[japester]

The lack of replies may be attributed to that dinosaur of a video card you're using. I'm running with an OC'd 7600GT, and I'm near the bottom of the pack in terms of video horsepower here. Most folks who can discuss the details of video drivers are probably using 8800GT's, 9000 series, or the latest cards.

It might also take more than 24 hours to get a reply, considering the specific and technical nature of your question.

[Amana]

Snif, you hurt my feelings. That "dinosaur" was made at late 2004... 4 years ago is considered Cenozoic era??? Believe me, I'm running Bioshock at 1024x768, no antialising and anisotropic x2, without stuttering (Riva tuner working on the background). But I know that this GPU is a survivor: OC'd (450MHz core and 1350MHz memory) and watercooled, it returns [sometimes] what seems impossible (nice fps, nice image at minimum/mid settings - Stalker, Call of Juarez, Crysis (yes, Crysis!), Bioshock etc.).

Thanks for your answer, japester.

[FtRapture]

Snif, you hurt my feelings. That "dinosaur" was made at late 2004... 4 years ago is considered Cenozoic era??? Believe me, I'm running Bioshock at 1024x768, no antialising and anisotropic x2, without stuttering (Riva tuner working on the background). But I know that this GPU is a survivor: OC'd (450MHz core and 1350MHz memory) and watercooled, it returns [sometimes] what seems impossible (nice fps, nice image at minimum/mid settings - Stalker, Call of Juarez, Crysis (yes, Crysis!), Bioshock etc.).

Thanks for your answer, japester.

Sadly it is, when I worked for Gateway we got the next best thing in at least weekly and people who just bought a computer less than a year ago would come in and be upset that nothing works on a computer they just purchased.

We had the "buyback" program which only upset people more when I told them we could buy back a $1500 computer for $300.

That is technology, the thing that bothers me is I settled for a Geforce 8500 and I am now suffering for it because it won't run real intesive games like Bioshock very well.

Everything else on the PC is well above rocking but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

[Amana]

That is technology, the thing that bothers me is I settled for a Geforce 8500 and I am now suffering for it because it won't run real intesive games like Bioshock very well.

Everything else on the PC is well above rocking but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

1rst time I hear this last part (...but a chain is only as strong...), nice and appropriate.

Quoting myself, incrysis forums, 2006http://www.incrysis.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=1427)

"And if CRYSIS really doesn't exist? You know, this could be the best marketing trap ever saw. Think: nVidia, ATI and a few other related companies 'suddenly' realize that the cost of developing new technologies will demand much higher product prices (more than ever - e.g., DX10 video cards demanding gigantic PSU), which consumers, according to recent polls, aren't able/willing to pay. More, they are preferring "old" tech, like AGP cards, and so on. So, they decide (nVidia, ATI and a few other related companies) in a common agreement:

- let's pay a "few" bucks to the CRYTEC owners (hey! hey! This is an HYPOTHETICAL situation, created only by the disturbed mind of the one - Amana - who wrotes this insane essay, and in no way is related to real life; the author also assures that he is not suggesting that any CRYTEC owner could be tempted by such proposition), and by doing this, they will "create" a new game title (CRYSIS - the name is apropriate), which demands higher rigs. Because FAR CRY was a astonishing success, people will be marveled, and will not attempt to the higher costs/requirements needed to run the game. Some especialized forums will be created . And, after a long wait, when thousands had acquire DX10 cards, 1000 watts PSUs, etc, CRYTEC will declare that they could not finish the game, by obscure reasons.

[japester]

Oh, I'm no technology snob. I've been quite happy with my 7600GT and wouldn't criticize another's card.

But you definitely have an antique there. Considering that my card trumps it, then the 8800 series totally trashed my card, then the 9000 series, and now the 200 series is out. LOL. I knew I was in trouble when the 8800GT's, which I had been waiting to buy once the prices came down, are pretty much no longer made. Ha!

As for Crytec, that reminds me of Unreal many years ago, when it was brand new. I remember reading a developer interview at the time that explained why some games simply don't run on the best computers. See, games take years to develop. And when a company starts making a game, they have no idea what kind of graphics cards will be out when the game is completed. If they play it safe, they get bad reviews for not having the "latest" graphics. If they get too aggressive, they get criticized for being too punishing. They're trying to hit a moving target with a very slow-moving projectile.

At least these days a company doesn't have to create their graphic engine from scratch anymore. They can license an existing, proven build and modify it for their needs. That makes things a little easier (but not by much).

(Sorry I haven't been of any help with your driver question.)

EDIT: I just learned that the 9800GT is the 8800GT. Which explains why the 8800GT is becoming scarce. I can't complain, though, since they lowered the price even further.