Clevo and Nvidia drivers

I ordered a BTO 17CL46, which is just a Clevo P170EM with a different name sticker. I haven't got it yet, but I'm used to collecting the latest drivers for a new PC before I get it, so that I can install the new ones and not the outdated versions that are usually on the driver CD.

BTO has a driver and bios download site, and there they have a 02video.zip that contains the Nvidia v295.62 driver. Then they have another Nvidia GTX67xM.zip that contains the v295.62 and the v295.93 drivers. In this forum there is a thread dated 17-jun-2012 of some one who got the 302.71 drivers from the Clevo web site. At the moment there is a GTX680M_64.zip on the Clevo web site with an unknown version because Clevo doesn't add the release notes to the packages , however the folders are dated 17-aug-2012 so that must be a newer version. And there is also a VGA_I64-1.zip file on the Clevo web site with again an unknown version of driver with folders dating 08-may-2012.

And last but not least I found the v306.97 drivers on the Nvidia web site.

I hate this kind of confusion, there should be only one driver and that should be the latest official release from Nvidia.

Does any one know if the Clevo drivers are just the normal Nvidia drivers, or have they been altered some way? And what is the version number of the latest Clevo drivers?

I hope I can use the normal Nvidia drivers, since I also don't like specific OEM drivers.

 

Manufacturers typically only release updated drivers if there are issues with the current ones. This is pretty normal for all brands, not just Clevo/Sager but others like Asus, MSI, Dell etc all do this. Nvidia will often optimize drivers for new games often which usually increases performance. If you want the latest drivers they'll be directly from Nvidia. If there are not problems with the current ones the manufacturers wont update theirs.

 

You used the terminology " If there are not problems with the current ones the manufacturers wont update theirs". The definition of theirs is very important. If the PC manufacturer doesn't do anything else then certify that a standard driver is working on his product, then it is quite save to assume that you can use the latest official driver from for instance Nvidia. In that case you don't have to get a (mostly older) version of a standard driver from the web site of the PC manufacturer.

However if the PC manufacturer is using specially adapted drivers, then it becomes another matter. The touchpad drivers for instance seem to be a special version for Clevo.

In general PC manufacturers are very lazy in supplying new driver versions. If you have a laptop that is a few years old, then it is almost certain that you will not find any even remotely current driver on the web site of the manufacturer. I know of quite a number of occasions where people had problems with for instance their WiFi connection and couldn't find a new driver on the web site of the laptop manufacturer. Luckily I could refer them to the web site of the WiFi card manufacturer where they found drivers that were generations newer. After installing such a driver their problems were over.

In my view this is unacceptable. If there is a certain piece of hardware in my PC, then I should be able to use the latest WHQL certified drivers for that hardware. Why else do we have WHQL certification?

 

this is the best place to get the latest drivers and it also has the last 10-15 released NVIDIA Driver Downloads - Advanced Search

to be honest if it aint broke dont try and fix it is the best moto for brand new lappys. stick with whats loaded by the oem (except of course if you are loading your own operating system).
check on here from all the threads on clevo and gaming thread and see how updates are helping or hindering others and then decide to update them.

lots of monitoring tools in my sig below could come in handy for you.

 

I already found that download link. The v295.xx drivers are not even there, they are that old. I always keep my PC's up to date with Windows patches and the latest drivers. It is the best way to keep a stable system. Of course you can wait until you experience problems, but then you are too late and you can just hope that you understand which piece of outdated software is to blame.

When I have to install a server, I follow this routine:

1. Update the bios and all firmware.
2. Install the operating system.
3. Patch the operating system to the latest level.
4. Install the latest drivers.
5. Install the middleware.
6. Patch the middleware to the latest levels.
7. Install the application.
8. Patch the application to the latest level.

Now if you experience problems you can tell your supplier that you have a completely patched system.

 

they are, you just need to change the dropdown box to 2xx notebook

 

I gotta say, Grunnsat, you don't seem to be very receptive. Why did you post if you weren't willing to accept the feedback graciously? Momma never taught you to say thank you? If you want to use the "normal Nvidia drivers" then by all means, do that. You should be fine.

 

ya get them now and again

and the supplier will say well you shouldnt have updated the bios then

 

That is true, but I'm using a GTX675M adapter. In that case you don't get the v295.xx drivers.

 

My question was: " Does any one know if the Clevo drivers are just the normal Nvidia drivers, or have they been altered some way?", and that question has not been answered. There is a very big difference between an altered driver and a certified standard driver. If the hardware does not behave like standard hardware, then you need an altered driver. If a standard driver has been tested on the hardware and given the "Certified" rubber stamp by Clevo, then it is quite save to assume that any standard driver will work.

I have dealt with these situations professionally too. "If you change these settings, you will no longer have an approved set-up!" . OK, but with your approved settings the machine has big problems. With our altered settings it runs fine. Can you explain that? "Erm......."

I value all opinions, but first of all I want to know the facts.

 

oem drivers are not always released to the general public on their normal search websites. they are checked and found the most stable for the laptop they are selling. once you get the laptop its upto you if you update but rthen it can make it better or sometimes worse.

 

I understand what you're saying. But like I said, my supplier is using standard Clevo stuff (some other Clevo resellers like Sager modify their products if I'm not mistaken). He has three different drivers on his web site, and Clevo has another two, so that makes five in total. From three I can't find a version number, the other two have major version release 295. Version 295 numbers are rather ancient.

I don't know if these drivers are OEM (=altered) versions, so far no one has been able to supply me with that information. I'm a professional, I read release notes etc. , but there are no release notes. If these are Clevo specific drivers, it should be mentioned in the (not existing) release notes, together with the version numbers.

Just check the original Nvidia drivers, they have proper release notes.

I'm just looking for clarity, does the Clevo hardware require altered OEM drivers, or is Clevo just rubber stamping standard drivers as "certified". That is a very simple question isn't it?

 

Sorry that I didn't quite understand your question at first. Yes, that is actually a simple question. Have you asked Clevo for the answer? They are best suited to give you the information you are looking for.

 

No, I didn't ask Clevo yet. Given the nature of Clevo notebooks and the way they are marketed, I thought that there would be plenty of people in this forum with that knowledge. After all there are quite a number of resellers active in this forum, they at least should know I guess. And by discussing it here, other forum members may learn about these matters too.

 

Interesting, a German reseller ( mySN.de ) has the latest official Nvidia driver 306.97 on his download page, and also Clevo certified drivers. That makes me conclude that standard Nvidia drivers can be used, as they should.

One more update: Anandtech also tested the P170EM & GTX980 with the standard latest Nvidia drivers.

 

In case you haven't noticed yet, Microsoft update will offer you he latest Nvidia drivers. I use them, they are fine.