More driver versions for Windows

The two major graphics chip manufacturers AMD and Nvidia put particular emphasis on improving their drivers' support of coupled graphics cards and multi-monitor capabilities. The November edition of AMD's Catalyst, for example, can be set to display a logo stating whether a 3D application uses CrossFireX.

Catalyst v8.11 brings HydraVision desktop management functionality to Windows XP, making up to nine virtual desktops available. HydraGrid is a new feature which allows you to assign grid references to bits of each desktop and assign specific screen areas to applications. The HydraVision package, which is required for configuring the desktop management software, is available in AMD's download area.

Big Bang II is the name Nvidia has given to the GeForce driver v180. It enables SLI on certain motherboards that include Intel's X58 chipset, as Nvidia's own range doesn't currently include a chipset for the new Intel Core i7 processors. Under Vista, the new driver allows multiple monitors with 3D applications and the active coupling of multiple graphics cards. Strategy games such as Supreme Commander and World in Conflict, which have been adapted for multi-monitor use, can now show information like a terrain map on the second screen while the action is happening on the main one.

The GeForce driver v180.48 allows an additional graphics card to be used as a dedicated physics accelerator under both XP and Vista. To do this, the card needs to have a minimum of 256MB of graphics memory and a GeForce 8 GPU or later. Nvidia has removed the separate PhysX System software used up to now and integrated the physics settings into the Nvidia control panel.

Graphics Cards/IGP

AMD

ATI Radeon: Catalyst drivers v8.11 (12/11/2008) for Windows XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit)

ATI Radeon: Catalyst Hotfix v8.11 for Intel X58 (20/11/2008) for Windows XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit)

ATI Radeon: Preview drivers v8.55 (27/10/2008) for Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit)

ATI Radeon HD 2000/3000 AGP: AGP Hotfix v8.10 (21/10/2008) for Windows XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit)

Intel

G4x/Q4x/G3x/Q3x/G965/Q96x: drivers v14.36.3.4990 (3/11/2008) for Windows XP (32-bit)

G4x/Q4x/G3x/Q3x/G965/Q96x: drivers v14.36.3.64.4990 (3/11/2008) for Windows XP (64-bit)

G4x/Q4x/G3x/Q3x/G965/Q96x: drivers v15.11.4.1591 (3/11/2008) for Windows Vista (32-bit)

G4x/Q4x/G3x/Q3x/G965/Q96x: drivers v15.11.4.64.1591 (3/11/2008) for Windows Vista (64-bit)

Nvidia

GeForce 8/9/GTX 200: drivers v180.48 WHQL (19/11/2008) for Windows XP (32-bit)

GeForce 8/9/GTX 200: drivers v180.48 WHQL (19/11/2008) for Windows XP (64-bit)

GeForce 8/9/GTX 200: drivers v180.48 WHQL (19/11/2008) for Windows Vista (32-bit)

GeForce 8/9/GTX 200: drivers v180.48 WHQL (19/11/2008) for Windows Vista (64-bit)

VIA/S3

Chrome 500: Beta drivers v7.15.12.0253 (4/11/2008) for Windows Vista (32-bit)

Chrome 500: Beta drivers v7.15.12.0253 (4/11/2008) for Windows Vista (64-bit)

Chrome 400: drivers v7.15.12.0252 (16/10/2008) for Windows Vista (32-bit)

Chrome 400: Beta drivers v7.15.12.0252 (16/10/2008) for Windows Vista (64-bit)

Chrome 400: Beta drivers v6.14/10/0183 (13/10/2008) for Windows XP (32-bit)

Chipsets

AMD

AMD 600/700 ATI chipsets: Catalyst drivers v8.11 (12/11/2008) for Windows XP/Vista (32/64-bit)

VIA

VIA chipsets: Hyperion-Pro drivers v5.21a (20/10/2008) for Windows XP/Vista (32/64-bit)

Sound

Realtek

HDA codecs: drivers v2.09 (17/11/2008) for Windows Vista (32/64-bit)

HDA codecs: drivers v2.09 (17/11/2008) for Windows XP (32/64-bit)

ATI HDMI audio Device: drivers v2.09 (17/11/2008) for Windows XP/Vista (32/64-bit)

Network

Realtek

RTL8100B(L)/RTL8100C(L)/RTL8101L/RTL8139C(L)/RTL8139C(L)+/RTL8139D(L)/RTL8100(L)/RTL8130/RTL8139B(L): drivers v5.707 (24/11/2008) for Windows 9x/2000/XP (32/64-bit)

RTL8100B(L)/RTL8100C(L)/RTL8101L/RTL8139C(L)/RTL8139C(L)+/RTL8139D(L)/RTL8100(L)/RTL8130/RTL8139B(L): drivers v6.108 (24/11/2008) for Windows Vista (32/64-bit)

RTL8100E/RTL8101E/RTL8102E-GR/RTL8110SC(L)/RTL8110S-32/RTL8110SB(L)/RTL8169SB(L)/RTL8169SC(L)/RTL8169/RTL8111B/RTL8168B/RTL8111/RTL8168/RTL8111C: drivers v5.708 (24/11/2008) for Windows 9x/2000/XP (32/64-bit)

RTL8100E/RTL8101E/RTL8102E-GR/RTL8110SC(L)/RTL8110S-32/RTL8110SB(L)/RTL8169SB(L)/RTL8169SC(L)/RTL8169/RTL8111B/RTL8168B/RTL8111/RTL8168/RTL8111C: drivers v6.213 (24/11/2008) for Windows Vista(32/64-bit)