To run a GF106 card (like a GTS 450 or GT 545) stably, you must use the final legacy driver branch: R390 (version 391.xx) .
NVIDIA officially classified all Fermi-based GPUs (including GF106) as Legacy (End-of-Life) in April 2018. This means:
If you attempt to install a modern GeForce Game Ready Driver (536.xx or newer), the installer will fail, stating that your hardware is no longer supported.
Before downloading any drivers, you must confirm that your hardware actually contains the GF106 die. Many users confuse the GF106 with the GF108 (lower end) or GF104/GF114 (higher performance). Here is the definitive list of GPUs based on the GF106 core:
As of 2026, there are no "new" GF106 drivers.
Nvidia classified the GF106 architecture as legacy (End-of-Life) in April 2018. This means:
The last driver branch to support GF106-based cards was the 390.xx series (specifically, 391.35 for Windows, and 390.157 for Linux).
To understand the driver, you have to understand the silicon. The GF106 was a cut-down version of the massive GF100 architecture (the aforementioned nuclear reactor). While the big brother was hot and loud, the GF106 was surprisingly efficient.
It launched with 192 CUDA cores—a "sweet spot" number. On paper, it was meant to destroy the AMD Radeon HD 5750. But at launch, the drivers were raw. Early reviews of the GTS 450 (the primary GF106 desktop card) showed a card that was scrappy but inconsistent. It struggled with tessellation compared to its bigger brothers, and early WHQL drivers had a nasty habit of micro-stuttering in DirectX 11 titles.
Bottom line: The Nvidia GF106 driver is frozen in time at version 390.xx/391.35. Download it from Nvidia’s legacy archive, but do not expect updates, modern OS perfection, or new game support. It is a piece of computing history – use it accordingly.
The NVIDIA GF106 chip—most famously powering the GeForce GTS 450 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
—is a legacy component from the Fermi architecture era. While modern drivers (566.xx+) focus on current hardware, finding a "useful" driver for the GF106 today is about balancing stability with the limitations of 15-year-old hardware. Quick Driver Review for GF106 (GTS 450 ) Performance: In modern environments, the
is strictly for light productivity and retro gaming. Even with the latest "legacy" updates, it struggles with titles beyond 2015. nvidia gf106 driver
Stability: Current drivers often include critical security patches, but for this specific architecture, older "Standard" drivers (like version 391.35) are often cited by users as more stable for daily use. Compatibility: The
supports DirectX 11 and basic CUDA tasks, but it lacks the features of newer Pascal or Maxwell cards (like the Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ) which still receive more active gaming optimizations. Recommended Driver Strategies
Depending on your operating system and goals, here is how to handle a -based card:
The NVIDIA GF106 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a mid-range graphics processing unit based on the Fermi architecture, manufactured using a 40nm production process. Primarily released in late 2010, this chip powers popular legacy cards such as the GeForce GTS 450 and several mobile variants like the GT 445M and GTX 460M. GF106 Technical Specifications
The GF106 chip was designed to offer a balance of performance and energy efficiency for mainstream users. CUDA Cores: Features up to 192 shading units.
Memory Support: Generally equipped with 1 GB to 1.5 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 128-bit or 192-bit interface.
API Support: Compatible with DirectX 12 (Feature Level 11_0), OpenGL 4.5, and OpenCL 1.1.
Performance: Capable of handling gaming at 720p or 1080p resolutions for titles from its era. Compatible Graphics Cards
The GF106 architecture is found in a variety of desktop, mobile, and professional workstation products: Model Names Desktop GeForce GTS 450 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. GeForce GT 440 (OEM) Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Mobile GeForce GTX 460M Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Workstation Quadro 2000 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Quadro 2000D Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Quadro 2000M Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Driver Installation & Updates
Updating your GF106 driver is essential for maintaining system stability and ensuring compatibility with older software. 1. Automated Updates via Software
NVIDIA App: The most modern method is downloading the NVIDIA App, which automatically detects your hardware and provides the correct legacy drivers.
GeForce Experience: For older systems, GeForce Experience can still be used to download and install Game Ready Drivers with a single click. 2. Manual Driver Search To run a GF106 card (like a GTS
If you prefer a manual installation, follow these steps on the Official NVIDIA Drivers Page: How To Install NVIDIA Drivers Fast and Easy!
The GF106 is the GPU codename for the NVIDIA GeForce 400/500-series midrange chips used in cards like the GeForce GT 430, GT 440, GT 545 (rebranded variants exist). That family is legacy hardware for which modern driver support varies by OS and vendor. This article explains which drivers to use, how to install them on Windows and Linux, common problems and fixes, and tips for getting the best stability and performance.
Key points
Compatibility and driver branches
How to identify your GF106 card
Windows: installation steps (general)
Linux: installation steps (Ubuntu/Debian example)
Common issues and fixes
Driver maintenance and updates
When to use Nouveau vs proprietary
Example: installing nvidia-390 on Ubuntu 22.04 (concise)
Security and stability considerations
When to replace the card
Further reading (topics to search)
Related search suggestions (If you want, I can provide search-term suggestions to look up specific driver versions, Linux package names, or step-by-step guides for your OS/model.)
Keep Your GF106 GPU Running: A Legacy Driver Guide The NVIDIA GF106 chip, part of the Fermi architecture, once powered mid-range favorites like the GTS 450 and GTX 460M. While these cards are now considered legacy hardware, they still work well for home theater PCs (HTPC), light retro gaming, or basic productivity.
The latest official driver supporting the GF106 architecture is version 391.35 (released March 2018). 🛠️ Identifying Your GF106 Hardware
The GF106 core was used in several popular desktop and laptop models. Check your "Device Manager" or use tools like GPU-Z to confirm you have one of these: Desktop: GeForce GTS 450, GT 440 (OEM). Laptop: GeForce GTX 460M, GT 555M, GT 445M, GT 435M. Workstation: Quadro 2000, Quadro 2000D, Quadro 2000M. 📥 Driver Download Links
To ensure stability, you should download drivers directly from official sources rather than third-party "driver update" sites. Windows (10/11, 7, 8)
NVIDIA has ended mainstream support for the Fermi series, but the final drivers are still available: Windows 10/11 (64-bit): GeForce Game Ready Driver 391.35 Windows 7/8 (64-bit): GeForce Game Ready Driver 391.35
Enterprise/Quadro: Visit the NVIDIA Driver Downloads and select "Quadro" > "Quadro Series" > "Quadro 2000". Linux users generally have two paths:
Proprietary: The 390.xx series is the final branch for Fermi GPUs. You can find the Linux 64-bit 390.157 driver here.
Open Source: The nouveau driver comes pre-installed in most distributions and provides basic display support without manual installation. ⚠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues "NVIDIA Installer Cannot Continue"
This error often occurs on Windows 10/11 because the OS automatically installs a "Universal" DCH driver. If you attempt to install a modern GeForce
Disconnect from the Internet to stop Windows from auto-updating. Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to wipe old files. Install the 391.35 driver while offline. Windows 11 Compatibility
While Windows 11 isn't officially supported, the 391.35 driver for Windows 10 usually works perfectly. Note that you will not have support for newer features like DirectX 12 (Ultimate) or DLSS, as the hardware lacks the necessary cores. If you'd like, I can help you: Find a specific laptop OEM driver (like for Dell or ASUS) Optimize settings for specific games on this hardware Compare performance to newer budget cards Which operating system are you currently trying to set up?