hi may i ask a question about updating nvidia drivers? 1) do you perform a full update ? 2) do you perform a custom update with clean up ? i download the last drivers and i don't know if i should install all the components should i install the component with the red arrows? http://i.imgur.com/o8Jq9Dr.png http://i.imgur.com/dvYG8hd.png thanks
Just do the full update. Unless you're having some specific problems there is never any need to do a clean up.
You should ALWAYS - as in EVERY SINGLE TIME do a "custom" update or install with EVERY program you install or update - even if you just select the default answers every time. Even legitimate programs frequently will install toolbars, auto-updaters, unneeded features or programs you don't need or want. Many may change your home page or search engines - not to be malicious, but as another means of revenue. This is very common with freeware and shareware. But even many paid programs will attempt to "foist" unwanted and/or unneeded programs, features, and changes on our systems too. So selecting the custom install option will (BETTER!!!) give you the option to opt-out of those installs and changes. As for the NVIDIA driver update specifically, I don't have a 3D monitor, I don't use 3D glasses, I don't have any 3D games and I don't watch any 3D Blu-ray movies on my computer. So why should I install a bunch of NVIDIA 3D drivers? If I selected the "Full Update", I would end up with 3D features and drivers I don't need and can't use. So again, I always select the custom install option to make sure I have the opportunity to opt-out of any add-ons and changes the maker wants to foist on my system, but also to opt-out of any features I don't use.
I only install the core driver and Physx. I used to install GeForce Experience for the FPS monitoring and screen recording but I realized that I would record a bunch of stuff and never look at it so I left it out from my most recent (OS) clean install. GFE is the lightest screen capture program, so if you're into that, I'd use it. No need to do a 'clean install' unless you're having issues.
^^This. And to avoid some potential problems before installing a new driver I'm doing a full uninstall with DDU but it's not mandatory, a clean install from nVidia driver usually works perfect fine.
I would not recommend this! Note the OP has not indicated he is having any problems installing or uninstalling his graphics drivers. The text for the current version of DDU clearly states, Also noted in the following reply via that DDU link you provided, I note too in the official support forum for this tool, it clearly states in bold underline, I recommend using the standard uninstall methods first - that is, NVIDIA's own uninstallers available through Control Panel > Programs and Features. Only then, if you experience problems installing or uninstalling drivers should you use a driver uninstaller program. And in that case, I would recommend one that is well established, like Driver Sweeper. Not something that is "Beta" or "experimental".
I'd bet they say "DDU should be considered Beta or experimental" simply because they don't want people to get mad if it borks their system. I've used it numerous times for my Intel, Nvidia, and AMD drivers with no problems. DDU is pretty well established. I see it recommended more than Driver Sweeper these days. And if you read the link you posted to download Driver Sweeper, it even says "Driver Sweeper has been replaced with Display Driver Uninstaller." But I agree, do an Nvidia clean install first before using DDU. And like you said, OP isn't having any problems so this is irrelevant anyways.
It sure does. I guess I will have to give it a try. Thanks for pointing that out. As a quibble however, a "display" is the monitor so I think they should rename it to Graphics Driver Uninstaller. Oh well. I have to say, however, it seems a bit odd that a "display" driver uninstaller is now the replacement for a program that uninstalled other type drivers too. That said, perhaps being dedicated to graphics is better.
The HD Audio thing is for audio via the HDMI port. Typically this would be for connecting to a receiver or TV. Note that even if you normally get sound in some other way (such as via onboard sound or a sound card), this can come in handy if you occasionally want to connect to a TV, since the video and audio will be carried over the single HDMI cable. I use it so I install it, but if you never connect to a receiver or TV you probably don't. I don't know what that Miracast thing is though.
Yes, in a home theater setup where HDMI was intended for. But in a computer setup, HDMI audio typically goes to a computer monitor with built in speakers. Sadly, HDMI doesn't even work as well as it should in a home theater setup when you have several devices(sources) you need to switch between, such as Blu-ray player, DVR and streaming device to a AV receiver and TV. And sadly the implementation into the computer world is even worse since most computer users don't have, or don't use the speakers in a monitor with built in speakers. Yeah, HDMI is fabulous at minimizing cable clutter, and the small connectors are great compared to DVI, but sadly, the intelligence side of it is still lacking. Let me Bing that for you!
Custom update... untick GeForce Experience... tick Clean Install... After finished and rebooted, untick NVIDIA GeForce Experience Backend (nvbackend.exe) from MSConfig (or another app that can modify startup entries... eg: CCleaner). Also create a firewall rule to block outbound access... Up to you if you want to delete the whole directory... C:\program files (x86)\nvidia corporation\update core\*.* ... but leave the C:\program files (x64)\nvidia corporation\update core\ alone... <--- (no dramas came out of this, but isn't really necessary... depends on how far you take your PC habits...) Also, don't show the GPU in taskbar. I read somewhere on here, or on another security forum that NVIDIA stuff can be accessed via the GPU if it is displayed in the taskbar. <--- (might be fiction, but I threw it in there anyway...)
@marzametal Why would you want to block outbound access? This will prevent it from checking for updated drivers.
@roger_m I prefer the manual update approach mate... Also it just doesn't check once, it checks and checks and checks and checks and so on... I wanted a quiet Firewall Connections Log so I muted the update check. Also, updates only happen once a month, or there abouts...
I install everything but the "Nvidia Geforce Experience". Usually too I check "clean install". Display Driver Uninstaller is great if you're swapping/upgrading cards, or just really want to be sure all the old junk and settings are off. It is in my opinion safe enough to use every driver update, but it'd be pointless and excessive if you aren't having any issues. Lastly, I just download the drivers from http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx or check the Guru3D forums for updates or issues: http://forums.guru3d.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21
I don't get why so many of you use the clean install option. Do you guys only use the default settings? If so, I'd like to introduce you guys to this option. Also, I make a bunch of changes to the 3D settings.http://i.imgur.com/7PvRd6Z.png
If I am updating drivers to the same card, I don't do a clean install unless the update failed the first time. But if changing cards - even if going from NVIDIA to NVIDIA or AMD to AMD, I typically do a clean install.