[Ars] Should we be required to create an account to get drivers?

[Good_fella]

Stupid Steam and their anti customers policy. I can't download patches from gamershell because of stupid Steam auto-update. I will never install Steam bloatware and never give them my email and credit card... Oh wait.

 

[Gryz]

There are a number of people who wait to see before they update their drivers. ... I don't even use Windows automatic update. I do them manually.

Same here.
I decide myself when I want to download 200MB worth of bloatware. I decide myself when I want to update drivers.

I just checked what this GFE is exactly. Google's answer:

GeForce Experience is the companion application to your GeForce graphics card. It keeps your drivers up to date, it automatically optimizes your game settings, and it's the easiest way to capture gameplay video or stream to twitch.

Well, I don't stream my games.
As said, I decide myself when to upgrade.
And what seems terrible: I don't want no generic software to twiddle with my game settings ! WTF ? I put a lot of thought in how I configure video-settings. I use ReShade+SweetFX in most games. I have my own requirements for framerates and what eyecandy I like best. I don't need no braindead software to mess it up.

I also minimize the amount of software installed on my PC. Especially software that starts automatically at boot-time and runs constantly in the background. I always uninstall that crap, no matter what.

Thanks for the warning.
I was planning on buying a new 16nm nVidia card as soon as they are released. In anticipation I was planning on buying a new G-Sync monitor in December (the Acer Z35, price $1100). Not gonna do that now. I'll wait and see what happens with GFE. And if I don't like it, I'll buy an AMD card. Been a decade since I had one.

 

[railven]

It's basically a marketing ploy to get people to more people to use GFE. I'm not going to defend it as a consumer, but as a enthusiast here is something I noticed.

We don't know the delay between GFE Day 1 drivers and non-GFE release. Is it a week? A month? If I had to guess, 1 week to 2 weeks (personal guess). And face it, this is the digital age, moment they hit they'll be shared through the usual channels. I had no issues downloading drivers from Guru3D that weren't official from AMD.

Most people download drivers with a delay (it's encouraged). So...where is the problem? That the option for Day 1 is removed? Or just the notion of Nvidia funneling users to it's software suite?

I can only get Steam updates from Steam. Outside patches don't work (unless modified). This hasn't caused people to burn down Steam.

Meh, everything I own is slowly moving to a funneled automated system. My cell phone basically updates itself and unless I root it, I can't even uninstall bloatware - just disable it :/.

End of the day tential is right on the money. Catering to the enthusiast is an old deal. We're all niche in the greater money-scheme.

 

[Techhog]

Meh, I believe a lot of people should probably be console gaming. It seems they really only play Triple A titles, and they rarely want to upgrade their hardware, they essentially are playing at console settings.

I've seen a number of people who have gaming setups that are basically console settings and they say "I don't want to be a console peasant lol!"

I would say I wouldn't be surprised if there was a good chunk of PC gamers who could easily get a superior experience from a console.

Then there are the rest of us, where a console simply won't cut it. I can't even play any game right now because I don't have a 4K display. Devil May Cry 4 just isn't getting played until I can play it in 4K. I'd love to do 8k downsampled to 4K but well, AMD drivers, and I'm not in the mood to do RadeonPro.

Which again just goes to why Nvidia is doing well. My situation wouldn't even happy, I'd just use 8k DSR.

The new PC gamer isn't like the PC gamer you and I grew up with. They want to plug and play. They don't want to deal with ANY OF THIS. Nvidia is realizing that while we're still stuck in the past.
Edit:Essentially, get ready for some Apple style moves.

So, you're only a real PC gamer if you game at 4k or higher. Got it.

 

[railven]

So, you're only a real PC gamer if you game at 4k or higher. Got it.

8k downsampled to 4k. Sheesh.

 

[Sabrewings]

I don't like it. I usually have GFE running. So it won't be a big deal for me but depending on how they make the process work it could be annoying during a fresh install to have to download GFE, sign in, and then have the drivers download instead of simply downloading them.

Requiring more steps compared to a previous method is bad for the consumer IMO.

Normal quarterly updated drivers will still be available to everyone via the website. This is only for the latest "game ready" drivers.

Well, I don't stream my games.

It's a great hardware accelerated desktop recorder. I use it for a lot of different situations, and I don't stream games either.

As said, I decide myself when to upgrade.

You can turn off the software's update side. I only have it notify me that a new version is available. I do the install myself.

And what seems terrible: I don't want no generic software to twiddle with my game settings ! WTF ? I put a lot of thought in how I configure video-settings. I use ReShade+SweetFX in most games. I have my own requirements for framerates and what eyecandy I like best. I don't need no braindead software to mess it up.

Then you don't click "optimize" for that game. It's all user controlled unless you want it to do things for you. I use the optimized settings as a gee-whiz starting point and adjust from there. They don't even have profiles for half the games I play anyway.

 

[sontin]

We don't know the delay between GFE Day 1 drivers and non-GFE release. Is it a week? A month? If I had to guess, 1 week to 2 weeks (personal guess). And face it, this is the digital age, moment they hit they'll be shared through the usual channels. I had no issues downloading drivers from Guru3D that weren't official from AMD.

nVidia said they will publish a new driver every 3 months with all fixes on their website.

End of the day tential is right on the money. Catering to the enthusiast is an old deal. We're all niche in the greater money-scheme.

I like that people believe you are only a real "enthusiast" when you can download drivers on a website instead through a tool provided by nVidia. :awe:

 

[railven]

nVidia said they will publish a new driver every 3 months with all fixes on their website.

I assumed Beta's would be unaffected? If non GFE users only get a driver every 3 months...hmmm...

I like that people believe you are only a real "enthusiast" when you can download drivers on a website instead through a tool provided by nVidia. :awe:

I had more I was adding but I cut it. They locked voltage on some products, they made OC'ing more automated, they blocked OCing altogether on mobile (course that back fired).

The "enthusiast" has been NV's least focused audience for a while.

 

[Gryz]

Normal quarterly updated drivers will still be available to everyone via the website. This is only for the latest "game ready" drivers.

I do play some games at release. I've bought GTAV and TW3 at release. I plan to buy FO4 and Tangiers (most anticipated game of the year for me) at release too. Having to wait 1.5 months on average for the quarterly release isn't fun. Especially when there is no reason.

It's a great hardware accelerated desktop recorder. I use it for a lot of different situations, and I don't stream games either.

Good for you. But I don't use it, and I don't see a need to use in the future myself.

You can turn off the software's update side. I only have it notify me that a new version is available. I do the install myself.

True, that would be better. Still, I believe in "pull" not "push". I'll check when I think there might be a need to check. I do that with Windows, I do that with my browser, I do that with all my software. I'm finishing TW3 at the moment. I still run 1.08. No need to upgrade to 1.10, because the game works great for me with 1.08. I'm not gonna risk messing that up. This is almost a matter of religion for me: "I believe I am the one in control of my own computer". Not a bunch of random companies that I bought a product from.

Then you don't click "optimize" for that game.

So basically I'll have to install GFE for something that I've had for the last 16 years (since I bought my first TNT2 Ultra). And then make no use of any of the features of GFE. While it always runs in the background. You have not convinced me.

 

[tential]

So, you're only a real PC gamer if you game at 4k or higher. Got it.

If you're using it to game at PC settings not available on consoles, or to play games not available on consoles (Dota, LoL, MMORPGs, etc.)

I used 4K as an example for me.... Obviously you have people who prefer 1440p high refresh. Or Widescreen panels, etc.
When you start to care about tailoring the experience to yourself. Then PC gaming is where you need to be.

 

[Grooveriding]

It's a stupid idea. I never install GFE because it's an unnecessary piece of bloatware. They do this and it forces people to adopt it if they want day one drivers, and what gamer won't want the optimized drivers on the same day their new game just released ? So they force it this way and make you provide an email they can spam.

This is the sort of thing that rubs people the wrong way though and someone is sure to set up a website where they put the drivers up as soon as they show up on bloatware experience.

The paywall wouldn't surprise me down the line. Nvidia could easily push the notion of 'premium drivers' and setup a tiered driver system using GFE as some sort of DRM to prevent pirating them

 

[railven]

If you're using it to game at PC settings not available on consoles, or to play games not available on consoles (Dota, LoL, MMORPGs, etc.)

I used 4K as an example for me.... Obviously you have people who prefer 1440p high refresh. Or Widescreen panels, etc.
When you start to care about tailoring the experience to yourself. Then PC gaming is where you need to be.

There it is. A damn good slogan for PC Gaming. :thumbsup:

 

[tential]

It's a stupid idea. I never install GFE because it's an unnecessary piece of bloatware. They do this and it forces people to adopt it if they want day one drivers, and what gamer won't want the optimized drivers on the same day their new game just released ? So they force it this way and make you provide an email they can spam.

This is the sort of thing that rubs people the wrong way though and someone is sure to set up a website where they put the drivers up as soon as they show up on bloatware experience.

The paywall wouldn't surprise me down the line. Nvidia could easily push the notion of 'premium drivers' and setup a tiered driver system using GFE as some sort of DRM to prevent pirating them

Sorry, I don't see the Paywall happening.
Either way though, does that mean you'll switch off of Nvidia because of this?
That's the bottom line and I don't see anyone with an Nvidia card saying they'll switch to AMD next gen. It's just people upset.

At the end of the day, Nvidia still is going to keep the customer base and no actual real amount of people will switch vendors over this issue.

Which goes to show that there is a lot of bark, but no bite.

 

[railven]

Thinking it over a bit more. Yeah, I don't even care. I'd rather not install GFE and if that locks me out of day 1 drivers, for me personally - fine. I stopped buying PC games day 1 when I realized give it 1-month to 2 and it'll be 50% off some where.

I'm too old to sit here and download every driver and test it to see if that 1% gain Marco3204X2 over at OC.UK is accurate.

What step am I at now? Acceptance? Haha.

 

[nurturedhate]

Remember how kepler drivers were borked (lacking optimization) for TW3 and GTAV5?

Want working drivers for TW4 and GTA6 for that "old" Maxwell card? Here, go to our kickstarter page and buy our "Premium Driver Experience" package. If we get enough "interest" we'll make some drivers for it. Everyone else after these new drivers release will have the option to upgrade to the newest drivers for only $4.99.

OR

I like this one... get ready... Season's Pass Drivers... Get all of this years Game Ready drivers for only $19.99 for 2017.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Remember how kepler drivers were borked (lacking optimization) for TW3 and GTAV5?

Want working drivers for TW4 and GTA6 for that "old" Maxwell card? Here, go to our kickstarter page and buy our "Premium Driver Experience" package. If we get enough "interest" we'll make some drivers for it. Everyone else after these new drivers release will have the option to upgrade to the newest drivers for only $4.99.

OR

I like this one... get ready... Season's Pass Drivers... Get all of this years Game Ready drivers for only $19.99 for 2017.

Why all the extra FUD?

 

[railven]

Remember how kepler drivers were borked (lacking optimization) for TW3 and GTAV5?

Want working drivers for TW4 and GTA6 for that "old" Maxwell card? Here, go to our kickstarter page and buy our "Premium Driver Experience" package. If we get enough "interest" we'll make some drivers for it. Everyone else after these new drivers release will have the option to upgrade to the newest drivers for only $4.99.

OR

I like this one... get ready... Season's Pass Drivers... Get all of this years Game Ready drivers for only $19.99 for 2017.

You're right! This is our future! Everyone, quickly, buy the superior DX12 performing hardware from AMD RIGHT NOW! Before they go out of existence and all we're left is this paywall!

BETTER YET! Let's go buy consoles! What, they got paywalls? But no drivers required!

Can we at least let this new initiative bend us over before we start assuming they don't use lube? Thing got announced, what two days ago? And we're at Kickstarting drivers? HAHA.

 

[ShintaiDK]

I wonder if its more due to making it a beta driver and using the email as an acceptance to those terms. The last AMD non beta driver for example is 2½ months old. Removing the WHQL part saves money and time.

https://www.techpowerup.com/212724/...-days-since-a-catalyst-whql-release.html?cp=2

AMD slipped into quarterly WHQL release cycle in 2013-14

Sounds awfully familiar.

 

[tential]

The userbase Nvidia is targeting with the GFE wants the driver experience to be more seamless and less intrusive.
Starting driver paywalls would completely defeat the purpose and would make the whole experience annoying.

 

[sontin]

There doesnt exist one reason to not want the driver installation process more seamless.

It doesnt make sense that i need to go to an internet site and download a driver manually.

GFE may be not the right way but it is the right direction.

 

[Snafuh]

There doesnt exist one reason to not want the driver installation process more seamless.
It doesnt make sense that i need to go to an internet site and download a driver manually.

Tell this my NVidia Control Panel which said my driver was up to date. For more than a year without an update. The glorious professional Quadro driver.
I don't want to run an extra application to install the latest driver. I don't want to give Nvidia my email address. I can get any driver I want trough easy search tools on the manufacturer's webpage. I don't see how forcing users to install an extra application is seamless.

 

[Sabrewings]

You have not convinced me.

I wasn't trying to. Simply correct your perception that GFE changes all of your game settings and forces drivers on you without your permission. It's all with user feedback if you want it, and it doesn't do it if you don't.

 

[nurturedhate]

You're right! This is our future! Everyone, quickly, buy the superior DX12 performing hardware from AMD RIGHT NOW! Before they go out of existence and all we're left is this paywall!

BETTER YET! Let's go buy consoles! What, they got paywalls? But no drivers required!

Can we at least let this new initiative bend us over before we start assuming they don't use lube? Thing got announced, what two days ago? And we're at Kickstarting drivers? HAHA.

Thank you for seeing my 100lbs drum of sarcasm for what it was.

Everyone else, let's actually look at this for what it is. Is Nvidia a busines? Yes. What is the bottom line goal of a business? Profit. How does this help increase profits? By tying users into an ecosystem that they eventually feel they cannot leave. Works for Microsoft. Works for Apple. Works for most. Now, take what those companies did in the past successfully in monetizing their products and guess how far Nvidia will take this in say 5 years. Do you want that future?

And I can't believe I have to say this but we do here on this forum or people in green shirts will get angry and defensive (about this singular situation). This has nothing to do with Nvidia being good or bad. It has nothing to do with Nvidia fans vs AMD fans. This is the result of a company flexing its current market share muscle to ensure they stay on top, as they should when they do what a business is suppose to do which is make money.

But don't sit there and tell me they will just stop here out of their own free will. If they can monetize something and the market will bear it, they will.

 

[nurturedhate]

Why all the extra FUD?

If you cannot laugh at the humor of "Season's Pass Drivers" then I am sorry but that was funny.

 

[tviceman]

The best approach would be to have both. GFE users can auto-update to the latest drivers, as well as power users can still download that off the website directly. No registration required.

I see no harm in doing both, it makes every gamer happy.

Holy craps we agree on something.

Requiring email registration is absolutely ridiculous. Keep pushing Nvidia and people will jump ship to AMD.