Includes the latest PhysX and bring performance improvements to several games

Sep 13, 2011 14:57 GMT  ·  By

Those who thought it was about time NVIDIA released a new graphics driver are finally getting their wish, even though the version is, at the moment, only in BETA stage.

NVIDIA, much like Advanced Micro Devices, usually delivers a new graphics driver every month.

After all, it wouldn't do for leftover bugs to annoy its customers, and it always helps to optimize video cards in such a way that games run smoother.

The newest version of the driver is still in BETA stage, meaning that people will have to wait a while for the WHQL one to debut.

Nonetheless, the fact is that the 285.27 package does, in fact, boost frame rates in quite a few games, in addition to other additions.

The release notes don't really any bug fixes, but this can just as well mean that there aren't really any outstanding issues left to address.

After all, the newest GeForce cards, from the 500 series, have been out for months, so most things were taken care of in previous installments.

What the new release does have new is support for OpenGl 4.2 on GeForce 400 and 500 series graphics adapters, like the recently launched 2 GB MSI GTX 560 Ti.

Another thing is the update to the PhysX package, to version 9.11.06.21, update that did not come alone (the HD audio driver went to 1.2.24.0)

As for actual game improvements, frame rates should increase by 4% (Bulletstorm) to 13% (Metro 2033 in SLI), with a healthy dose of 5% and 7% cases thrown in for good measure, among other things (they are msot noticeable on the GTX 560 and GTX 580).

Most differences will be visible only on machines running SLI setups, but not all (StarCraft II runs 7% better on GTX 560 and 5% smoother on GTX 580, for instance).

Those who own a personal computer with an NVIDIA GeForce 6, 7, 8, 9, 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 series card, or one with ION, can download the software from the appropriate link below.

NVIDIA GeForce Display Driver 285.27 Beta for XP

NVIDIA GeForce Display Driver 285.27 Beta for XP64

NVIDIA GeForce Display Driver 285.27 Beta for for Vista/Windows 7

NVIDIA GeForce Display Driver 285.27 Beta for Vista64/Windows 7 x64