Topic: NVidia Users - Avoid the 196.95 Drivers: causes issues w/ your GPU fan (Reply 6)

[MysterD]

I caught this last night on Borderlands boards.
NVidia users might want to see this - Especially those w/ NForce motherboards.
These 191.07 drivers can totally destroy your system badly.

I think this maybe why I was pounced w/ BSOD's last Wed and had to reinstall Windows XP Home's config files from off the disc and all, since I couldn't even get into Safe Mode or anything - thank God I don't lose anything important such as my game saves, patches, and other stuff I been lazy about and ain't backed-up to disc.

I ain't had any problems AT ALL w/ my system since I had to reinstall XP config files, but I'mma play it safe - I'm rolling back to the 190's.

[Xessive]

I've been using 191.07 for exactly 3 weeks now without any problems. In fact there have been some performance improvments in some games.

190.62 was also a decent set but 191.07 outperforms it in some titles I have, most notably Fallout 3.

In my case I am using Windows 7 x64. Could it be a problem with the x86 version of the driver?

[MysterD]

I've been using 191.07 for exactly 3 weeks now without any problems. In fact there have been some performance improvments in some games.

Prototype ran even better the 191.07's for me.
But, it's not really worth taking a chance with anymore - especially given my BSOD situation from last week. I didn't know what the heck last week caused my BSOD, but the only thing I recently changed on my system was upgrading to the 191.07's.

190.62 was also a decent set but 191.07 outperforms it in some titles I have, most notably Fallout 3.

I never had problems w/ the 190.63 - I just uninstalled 191.07's and reinstalled the 190.62.

In my case I am using Windows 7 x64. Could it be a problem with the x86 version of the driver?

Good question. I don't know.
The EVGA boards are still trying to figure things out w/ these 191.07's.

[Quemaqua]

Is this just a problem with eVGA cards specifically or what?  Generally speaking they're my favorite nvidia card manufacturer, though I have a 4850 right now.

[MysterD]

Is this just a problem with eVGA cards specifically or what? 

Nope.
Here's one example of a problem w/ a BFG card on these 191's.

Worth also noting - I have a BFG card as well, BTW.
512 MB GF 8800 GT.

[Xessive]

I have an XFX and it's pretty great so far considering I've had it for just over two years.

XFX and MSI seem to be the most popular makes over here.

[MysterD]

The new 196.75 drivers NVidia released are buggy as sin.
Avoid them like the plague, guys.
It can cause damage to your GPU.
It basically causes problems w/ your GPU's fan.

NVidia is telling users to stick w/ the 196.21 drivers.

[Xessive]

I'm curious how these drivers made it past beta in such a state.

I've learned to let new drivers sit for about a week before I consider updating. I also jump versions, so if I have v1 I'll hold off v2 and update to v3 when it comes, unless v2 had critical updates or major improvements.

[scottws]

Not only the beta stage, but WHQL qualification as well!

[MysterD]

Not only the beta stage, but WHQL qualification as well!

That really shows you that Microsoft will stamp WHQL on anything...
It's kind of like how they shipped out so many 360's that like to RROD...

Microsoft needs to get their quality standards together...
Though, that'll never happen...