Then vs Now Video Card Drivers

Summary

In this video, the host explores how Nvidia has supported its older graphics cards over time, specifically the GTX 480, through driver updates that improve performance, address compatibility issues, and add new features. By testing various drivers released from 2010 to 2015, the host measures the impact on performance in several games, revealing up to a 30% improvement in some titles. The video highlights how Nvidia's ongoing driver support can significantly enhance the lifespan and performance of older hardware, making a strong case for the value of long-term support in the tech industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Graphics card manufacturers often claim that performance will improve over time as drivers mature, which is a common response to initial disappointment from fans.
• 😀 NVIDIA supported older products like the GTX 480 for years after release, even introducing new features like DSR support for Fermi-based graphics cards more than four years post-launch.
• 😀 Drivers play a key role in improving the performance of older graphics cards, much like developers unlocking additional potential in game consoles over time.
• 😀 The methodology involved testing the GTX 480 on a modern test bench to eliminate bottlenecks and focus on driver improvements as the variable being tested.
• 😀 The testing was conducted across four games: Metro 2033, Just Cause 2, Far Cry 4, and Witcher 3, with the goal of evaluating performance improvements over time.
• 😀 In Metro 2033, the GTX 480 showed a 10% performance improvement over a 16-month period, though it wasn’t enough to drastically change performance in demanding games.
• 😀 Just Cause 2 demonstrated a 16% performance boost after 16 months, with total improvements exceeding 25% after 32 months, showing substantial long-term driver support.
• 😀 Far Cry 4 saw a 20% performance improvement between the 2010 and 2014 drivers, but newer drivers didn’t continue to boost performance significantly.
• 😀 Witcher 3 saw the most impressive driver improvements, with a 30% performance increase, demonstrating how substantial performance gains can happen in the first few years of a product's life cycle.
• 😀 Over time, older graphics cards show diminishing returns in terms of performance gains from driver updates, with newer drivers primarily focused on bug fixes and compatibility improvements rather than significant boosts in gaming performance.

Q & A

How did NVIDIA support older graphics cards like the GTX 480 over time?

NVIDIA supported older graphics cards like the GTX 480 by releasing driver updates that improved performance, added new features, and fixed compatibility issues. These updates helped enhance the gaming experience and prolong the card’s useful life.

What was the methodology used to test the performance improvements of the GTX 480?

The methodology involved using a test setup with a Core i7 5930K processor, 16GB of DDR4 memory, and an ASUS X99 Deluxe motherboard. The tests used five driver versions released between 2010 and 2015, and performance was measured across four games: 'Metro 2033', 'Just Cause 2', 'Far Cry 4', and 'Witcher 3'.

Which games were chosen for testing the GTX 480's performance over time?

The games chosen for testing were 'Metro 2033' and 'Just Cause 2' as older titles, and 'Far Cry 4' and 'Witcher 3' as more modern titles, providing a mix of both historical and newer gaming performance data.

How much did the performance of the GTX 480 improve in 'Metro 2033' after driver updates?

In 'Metro 2033', the GTX 480 saw a 10% performance improvement after 16 months of driver updates. While not a massive change, it was still a noticeable improvement for the demanding game.

What performance improvements did the GTX 480 achieve in 'Just Cause 2'?

In 'Just Cause 2', the GTX 480 experienced a 16% improvement after 16 months, with an additional 10% boost after another 16 months, totaling a 25% performance gain over 32 months.

Did NVIDIA release a driver specifically optimized for 'Far Cry 4'?

Yes, NVIDIA released a game-ready driver for 'Far Cry 4'. However, when tested on the GTX 480, the improvements were only substantial in the 2014 driver release, with the 2015 driver showing no performance gains.

How did the GTX 480 perform in 'Witcher 3' after driver updates?

In 'Witcher 3', the GTX 480 showed the most significant improvement—30%—with the earliest driver updates. However, performance gains slowed after that, and later updates focused more on bug fixes and compatibility rather than additional performance boosts.

What was the overall conclusion regarding the long-term support for the GTX 480?

The overall conclusion is that NVIDIA provided strong support for the GTX 480, with substantial performance improvements in the first few years after its release. Over time, the updates became less about performance and more about bug fixes and compatibility with newer software and games.

What were the key factors that influenced the performance improvements in older graphics cards like the GTX 480?

The key factors influencing performance improvements included better optimization of drivers over time, as well as game developers’ efforts to optimize older hardware. Initially, the improvements were driven by the software team refining the architecture, but later updates focused on fixing bugs and ensuring compatibility with new operating systems and games.

Did the driver improvements significantly change the overall gaming experience for GTX 480 owners?

Yes, the driver improvements did make a noticeable difference in gaming performance, particularly in older titles. However, as time went on, the improvements became more incremental, and later updates focused on ensuring compatibility and fixing issues rather than driving major performance gains.