Having recently introduced its new range of graphics processing units for portable computer systems, the GT200-based 40nm parts, NVIDIA has just decided it's time to provide its fans and consumers with a new range of graphics drives, specifically designed to improve performance and fix known issues. The new GeForce 186.18 WHQL-certified drivers have been designed to provide users with support for their GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100 and 200-series desktop GPUs, but also for the increasingly popular Ion motherboard GPU.

According to the release notes of the latest solutions, users will be provided with numerous bug fixes, most of which address applications supported on the Microsoft Windows XP 32-bit. In addition, the new release also installs NVIDIA's new PhysX System Software, version 9.09.0428, providing GeForce users with an enhanced visual experience in some of the latest gaming applications on the market. Designed to bring support to users of Windows XP, Vista and 7 operating systems, these new drives will also deliver some performance increases, especially for those upgrading from the previous 185 release.

NVIDIA notes that performance in several 3D applications will be increased in release 186, by comparison to the 185 version. Although results may vary for each user, depending on several factors, they should see the following improvements:

 

Up to 25% performance increase in The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena

Up to 22% performance increase in Crysis: Warhead with antialiasing enabled

Up to 11% performance increase in Fallout 3 with antialiasing enabled

Up to 14% performance increase in Far Cry 2

Up to 30% performance increase in Half-Life 2 engine games with 3-way and 4-way SLI

Up to 45% performance increase in Mirror’s Edge with antialiasing enabled

 

Users looking to upgrade to NVIDIA's latest GeForce 186.18 graphics drivers can do so following the links below:

 

NVIDIA GeForce 186.18 WHQL-certified drivers for Windows XP 32-bit

NVIDIA GeForce 186.18 WHQL-certified drivers for Windows XP 64-bit

NVIDIA GeForce 186.18 WHQL-certified drivers for Windows Vista/Windows 7 32-bit

NVIDIA GeForce 186.18 WHQL-certified drivers for Windows Vista/ Windows 7 64-bit