Y-Corner

nVIDIA released an official Forceware set today, Forceware 180.48. Code-named "Big Bang II", this Forceware brings a massive performance boost for GeForce 8, 9, and GTX series video cards in several key games. SLI on the new Intel X58 motherboards for Core i7 are supported, along with SLI multi-monitor support, a feature that has been long missing since SLI was introduced by nVIDIA in 2004. With the performance boost, the GeForce GTX 260 is now faster than the Radeon HD 4870 in several games, as seen from this latest benchmark from FudZilla.

As these drivers provide a significant performance boost, it is highly recommended to upgrade to this Forceware set, especially if you own a GeForce 8, 9, or GTX series video card.

Release Highlights:

This is a WHQL-certified driver for GeForce 200-series, 9-series, and 8800-series desktop GPUs.

Exciting New Features:

* Enables NVIDIA SLI technology on SLI-certified Intel X58-based motherboards with the following GPUs: GeForce GTX 280, GeForce GTX 260, GeForce 9800 GX2, GeForce 9800 GTX+, and GeForce 9800 GTX. Learn more here.
* Enables NVIDIA SLI Multi-monitor support, giving you the ability to use two monitors with your GeForce graphics cards in SLI mode. Now you can easily switch between multi-monitor desktop mode and full screen 3D gaming mode. Learn more here.
* Enables NVIDIA PhysX acceleration on a dedicated GeForce graphics card. Use one card for graphics and dedicate a different card for PhysX processing for game-changing physical effects. Learn more here. (Note: GPU PhysX is supported on all GeForce 8-series, 9-series and 200-series GPUs with a minimum of 256MB dedicated graphics memory. This driver package automatically installs PhysX System Software version 8.10.13).

Blazing Fast Performance:

* Boosts performance in numerous 3D applications. The following are some examples of improvements measured with Release 180 WHQL drivers vs. Release 178 WHQL drivers (results will vary depending on your GPU, system configuration, and game settings):
o Up to 10% performance increase in 3DMark Vantage (performance preset)
o Up to 13% performance increase in Assassin's Creed
o Up to 13% performance increase in BioShock
o Up to 15% performance increase in Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
o Up to 10% performance increase in Crysis Warhead
o Up to 25% performance increase in Devil May Cry 4
o Up to 38% performance increase in Far Cry 2
o Up to 18% performance increase in Race Driver: GRID
o Up to 80% performance increase in Lost Planet: Colonies
o Up to 18% performance increase in World of Conflict

And More:

* Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL, including 3-way and Quad SLI technology.
* Supports CUDA.
* Supports Folding@home distributing computing application. Download the high performance client for NVIDIA GPUs here and join the NVIDIA team: #131015.
* Supports GPU overclocking and temperature monitoring by installing NVIDIA System Tools software.
* Includes numerous 3D application compatibility fixes. Please read the release notes for more information on product support, features, driver fixes and known compatibility issues.
* Users without US English operating systems can select their language and download the International driver here.

Driver Download Links (GeForce 8, 9, GTX Series):

Windows XP (32-Bit): Download
Windows XP (64-Bit): Download
Windows Vista (32-Bit): Download
Windows Vista (64-Bit): Download

Driver Download Links (Laptop GeForce and GeForce 6, 7 Series) - Courtesy of LaptopVideo2Go.com:

Windows XP (32-Bit): Download
Windows XP (64-Bit): Download
Windows Vista (32-Bit): Download
Windows Vista (64-Bit): Download

Installation Instructions:

1.) Uninstall the NVIDIA drivers from "Program Add/Remove"
2.) Install and Run Driver Sweeper with "nVIDIA Display" selected. It's recommended to do this, so that left over data from old graphics drivers don't conflict with the new ones.
3.) Restart the computer.
4.) Install the new Forceware drivers.

so this is sorta a reccormendation for anyone who buys games that are new *ones made for 360/ps3?

No, these drivers are recommended for PC gamers, since these graphic card companies are always trying to improve performance (and fix bugs) out of their graphic cards.

For example, some newer PC games that come out may have bugs with certain graphic cards, so graphic card companies like nVIDIA and ATi release drivers (kinda like hardware patches) to fix and improve game performance.