Nvidia has finally released another set of official beta drivers for Windows Vista. Judging by the version jump, these are what we've all been waiting for, although final drivers would be nice. They are for Geforce 6, 7 and 8 and are available in both 32bit and 64bit flavours, with a much smaller file size for both installers. This is not a WHQL release, so Windows will prompt you about these drivers not being digitally signed. This time though, Nvidia has instructions about the prompt you will receive; we're getting close! Unlike previous final and beta releases, international downloads are available.
Release Highlights
  • Adds support for GeForce 8600 GTS, GeForce 8600 GT, and GeForce 8500 GT, GeForce 8400 GS, and GeForce 8300 GS GPUs.
  • Increased performance in 3D applications.
  • PureVideo™ HD support.
  • Add support for forcing Vertical Sync in DirectX applications.
  • Updated NVIDIA Control Panel with improved user interface (Please see the Release Notes for more details).
  • Numerous game and application compatibility fixes
  • This driver supports the following 3D features:
    • Single GPU support
      • DirectX 9 support for GeForce 6/7/8 series GPUs
      • DirectX 10 support for GeForce 8800 GPUs
      • OpenGL support for GeForce 6/7/8 series GPUs
    • NVIDIA SLI support
      • DirectX 9 support for GeForce 8800 GPUs
      • OpenGL support for GeForce 8800 GPUs
    • DirectX 10 NVIDIA SLI support for GeForce 8800 GPUs will be available in a future driver
This is BETA software!, please use caution when installing it on your system
Download 158.18 Beta for: Vista x86 | Vista x64
Link: Nvidia Home Page | Driver Page | Forum Discussion (Thanks NrthnStar5)


There are 17 additional comments
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(3 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by DJ Prem on 17 Apr 2007 - 21:40
ForceWare Release 158
Version: 158.19
Release Date: April 17, 2007
Beta Driver

Don't look like final to me says Beta Driver
Quote this comment #1.1 Posted by vetSlimy on 17 Apr 2007 - 21:42
Ouch :/
Quote this comment #1.2 Posted by +TCLN Ryster on 17 Apr 2007 - 21:45
Erm, forgive me if I missed it... but who said they were final?
Quote this comment #1.3 Posted by vetSlimy on 17 Apr 2007 - 21:46
Quote - (TCLN Ryster said @ #1.2)
Erm, forgive me if I missed it... but who said they were final?

I missed the Beta tag completely. My fault.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by +chorpeac on 17 Apr 2007 - 21:42
I'll be interested to know how these work with Vista. Please post your experiences, and let us know if it is worth upgrading to Vista for games yet.
Quote this comment #2.1 Posted by +TCLN Ryster on 17 Apr 2007 - 22:07
Don't know about in-game performance yet because I not had time to test them, but my Windows Experience Index score for Gaming Graphics went up from 5.4 to 5.6 after installing these new drivers.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by torrentthief on 17 Apr 2007 - 21:43
RTM 158.19 (not 158.18 ) FOR 8000 cards only: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_158.19.html

direct link: http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/158.19/158.19_forceware_winxp2k_english.exe

EDIT:

165.01 Beta drivers: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index....showtopic=13637

works on my 6800gt and the modded .inf works on my geforce 6150go

Last edited by torrentthief on 17 Apr 2007 - 22:26
Quote this comment #3.1 Posted by BrainDedd on 17 Apr 2007 - 21:52
LOL beat me to it
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by Ap0X on 17 Apr 2007 - 21:48
Uhh..these drivers rock!!!
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by Meikle on 17 Apr 2007 - 22:20
Will these drivers work with a Geforce GO 7600?
Quote this comment #5.1 Posted by +rm20010 on 18 Apr 2007 - 00:17
They should. Head over to LaptopVideo2Go for the 158.19 drivers (they don't have 158.18 ) with its modded INF.

I'll probably wait a little bit longer before installing any of nVidia's Vista drivers on my laptop. The updated WDDM drivers outperform the ForceWare drivers for tasks such as Photo Gallery slideshows on my laptop's GeForce 7400 Go. I'll try these on my desktop, which sports a GeForce 7800 GT.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by smashguy on 17 Apr 2007 - 22:54
I can wait for the final version...

Does anyone knows that NVidia GeForce 6150 LE works good for Windows Vista yet? (256 MB)
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by caeza on 18 Apr 2007 - 00:17
I wonder why in the world they didn't release proper drivers for 5 series.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #8 Posted by Vexed on 18 Apr 2007 - 02:17
Still no ****ing DX10 SLi support.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #9 Posted by Danrarbc on 18 Apr 2007 - 02:23
"Add support for forcing Vertical Sync in DirectX applications."

So I guess that whole mess about Vista not supporting Vsync was bull coming from nVidia. Big surprise :p
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #10 Posted by sjgore on 18 Apr 2007 - 07:06
I wonder if these fix the flashing white box issue with Oblivion, that was introduced in the 101.70 drivers? I'll try these new drivers tonight.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #11 Posted by ACTIONpack on 18 Apr 2007 - 14:05
There drivers work much faster now with my 8800gts. I can finally play Hold'em.
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