Sandy Bridge Driver Update Boosts Game Performance in Windows
Sandy Bridge Driver Update Boosts Game Performance in Windows
Posted 09/21/2011 at 10:35am
| by Paul Lilly
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Intel has made available an updated graphics driver for Sandy Bridge processors capable of delivering up to 37 percent better performance on Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) platforms, providing you're rocking Intel's integrated HD graphics instead of a dedicated videocard.
The Santa Clara chip maker is billing the download as a "major garphics driver update for 2nd generation Intel Core processors with Intel HD graphics." ULV platforms, such as the ones most often found in ultraportable and slim notebooks, stand to gain the most from the updated driver, though Intel spokesman Dave Salvator tells CNet the update applies to any system with a Sandy Bridge chip running Intel HD graphics.
Intel is touting the following double-digit performance gains with the new driver installed:
- Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty -- Devil's Playground: 37 percent
- Resident Evil 5 Benchmark: 10 percent
- Dawn of War: Chaos Rising: 29 percent
- Battlefield: Bad Company 2: 28 percent
- Dirt 2: 12 percent
- Supreme Command 2: 16 percent
The updated driver also resolves a bunch of issues in Windows 7 and Vista, things like intermittent crashing when using an HDMI monitor and minor rendering artifacts in some games.
Intel GMA Driver Windows 7/Vista 32-bit
Intel GMA Driver Windows 7/Vista 64-bit
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Antherz
September 22, 2011 at 7:22am
I have an acer 3830tg with a 2nd gen i5 intel hd 3000 :/ i can run batman @ high on my native resolution 1366 x 768 with at least 40-50 frames...and this is before i read this article :/ i'll install it and run BC2 and post some ss =)
PC EliTiST
September 21, 2011 at 2:06pm
Are you telling me that my i5 2500 can run BFBC2? I couldn't even think about...
Indeed, percentages don't mean much. I'd like some framerates, resolutions etc, too. My GTX560Ti can run BFBC2 maxed out at 1920x1080 with constant 60 FPS... Can GMA catch at least 20? Not to mention StarCraft II... Full everything with ease.
Anyway, I'm talking mostly to "Slurpy" who commented about those who look for perfomance and buying dedicated card. I still think it's one way to do so. This does not negate the fact that none gonna benefit from that increased perfomance.
Slurpy
September 21, 2011 at 1:47pm
Too bad the people who are concerned about performance increase are the ones who opt for a dedicated graphics card.
vrmlbasic
September 21, 2011 at 1:26pm
I'd like to see frame rates. Percentage improvement alone doesn't mean anything. A 37% improvement in Starcraft 2 doesn't mean anything if the original frame rate was something abysmal like 10 fps ;)
Also, Resident Evil 5? Is that really what PC benchmarks have come to?
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