Display Drivers

johne102 · Dec 29, 2003, 01:48 AM

One quick question. Is it always better to install the latest drivers available ? or only if you have a problem that they will fix?????

Dyre Straits · Dec 29, 2003, 02:25 AM

I like to keep mine updated. However, I have found that previous drivers sometimes work better than the newer one.

If you're not having any trouble, the old saying goes: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

p0rChM0nK3y · Dec 29, 2003, 02:27 AM

Couldnt agree more.

~~Optimummind~~ · Dec 29, 2003, 03:05 AM

Well, actually, you should update when newer releases come out.

Graphics drivers from ATI and nVIDIA include many bug fixes and optimizations as well as basic display files. So, you would probably benefit from updating as soon as possible.

One downside to upgrading drivers frequently may be that you may accumulate old and unused files in your system's critical places (e.g. Registry). However, you can overcome this possibility by restoring your hard drive to a state without any graphics drivers through a program like Acronis TrueImage or Norton Ghost 2003.

That way, you will be sure to know that whatever problem you're experiencing is due to the GPU drivers and not some other factor.

Personally, I use the restore image method before I update my GPU driver. The image includes every program I use like MS Office, NAV2004, ZoneAlarm, etc. The only thing missing from my image is the GPU driver.

Redstone · Dec 29, 2003, 10:56 AM

I tend to wait and see what type of response a new driver gets before installing the latest driver. Also depends on your card, my older card for some reason just seems more stable on 3.4.

I agree with the first two responses, if its not broke don't fix it.

Dec 29, 2003, 01:48 AM	#1
johne102 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tucson, Az Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Display Drivers One quick question. Is it always better to install the latest drivers available ? or only if you have a problem that they will fix?????

Dec 29, 2003, 02:27 AM	#3
p0rChM0nK3y DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 179 Rep Power: 0	Couldnt agree more. __________________ Intel Pentium 4c 2.6 @ 3.1ghz (27c idle, 34c load) Asus P4P800 Corsair XMS 2x512mb DDR400 Maxtor MaXline III 250gb SATA150 Plextor DVD-RW PX-716A Samsung Syncmaster 17" Antec Sonata II w/ Antec SmartPower 2.0 Windows XP Pro

Dec 29, 2003, 10:56 AM	#5
Redstone CEO Vandelay Industries Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Left Coast Posts: 176 Rep Power: 0	I tend to wait and see what type of response a new driver gets before installing the latest driver. Also depends on your card, my older card for some reason just seems more stable on 3.4. I agree with the first two responses, if its not broke don't fix it. __________________ [COLOR=#66ccff]Intel [/COLOR][COLOR=sienna]PIV - 3.0e @ [COLOR=darkorange]3.39[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=yellowgreen][COLOR=sienna]Cooled by[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=#66ccff]SWIftech [/COLOR][COLOR=sienna]MCX4000[/COLOR] [COLOR=#66ccff]Asus[/COLOR][COLOR=#ffcc99] [COLOR=sienna]P4P800 SE[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=sienna]Powered by[/COLOR][COLOR=#66ccff] Antec [/COLOR][COLOR=sienna]TruePower 430[/COLOR] [COLOR=#66ccff]Kingston [/COLOR][COLOR=yellowgreen][COLOR=sienna]Hyperx 4x512MB - PC3200 - 2.5-3-3-8 @ 1:1 timings [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=#66ccff]ATI [/COLOR][COLOR=#ffcc99][COLOR=sienna]Radeon X1950 Pro AGP - Omega Drivers 3.8.421 (Cat 7.10) displayed on a [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=#66ccff]Samsung[/COLOR][COLOR=#ffcc99] [COLOR=sienna]930B LCD[/COLOR] [/COLOR] [COLOR=#66ccff]Creative [/COLOR][COLOR=sienna]Sound Blaster Audigy 4[/COLOR] [COLOR=#66ccff]Win[/COLOR][COLOR=#ffcc99][COLOR=sienna]XP Home stored on a[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=#66ccff]Western Digital[/COLOR][COLOR=#ffcc99] [COLOR=sienna]1200GB Sata with a[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=#66ccff]Seagate[/COLOR] [COLOR=sienna]10GB Barracuda IV Slave[/COLOR]

Dec 29, 2003, 03:05 AM	#4
~~Optimummind~~ Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Orange, California Posts: 632 Rep Power: 0	Well, actually, you should update when newer releases come out. Graphics drivers from ATI and nVIDIA include many bug fixes and optimizations as well as basic display files. So, you would probably benefit from updating as soon as possible. One downside to upgrading drivers frequently may be that you may accumulate old and unused files in your system's critical places (e.g. Registry). However, you can overcome this possibility by restoring your hard drive to a state without any graphics drivers through a program like Acronis TrueImage or Norton Ghost 2003. That way, you will be sure to know that whatever problem you're experiencing is due to the GPU drivers and not some other factor. Personally, I use the restore image method before I update my GPU driver. The image includes every program I use like MS Office, NAV2004, ZoneAlarm, etc. The only thing missing from my image is the GPU driver.