Using outdated drivers can affect performance despite video hardware meeting or exceeding the system requirements of the game you are playing. We recommend checking for driver updates on a regular basis. If you do encounter performance issues, updating your drivers is a good first step in troubleshooting.
Where To Update Your Drivers
For most graphics cards, you will be able to easily download and install the latest drivers from Nvidia or AMD:
Use your Operating System, video card name & manufacturer, and driver version information to search your video card or computer manufacturer's site for updated drivers which will be compatible with your system.
How To Check Your Card Model and Current Driver Versions
It is recommended that you check the versions of the drivers currently installed on your system before looking for updates - please follow the instructions below to see which drivers are installed:
- Go to the Start button and select Run...
- Enter dxdiag and click OK to run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool. If you are asked to check whether your drivers are digitally signed, select Yes to proceed.
- The tool will start on the System tab - check the System Information box for the Operating System
- Switch to the Display tab. In the upper left corner is a box named Device. The first three lines are the Name, Manufacturer, and Chip Type of your video hardware.
- Check the upper right-hand corner of this tab for a box named Drivers.
- The second line is the video driver Version number, and the third is the Date of release.
- Click "Exit" in the lower right hand corner of the window to close the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
