GeForce 258.96 drivers get WHQL certified

It appears Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs has graced last week's beta GeForce drivers with a stamp of approval. WHQL-certified versions of the GeForce/Ion 258.96 driver popped up on Nvidia's site today, and they're readily awaiting your download below.

After skimming through the release notes (XP, Vista/7), it seems little if anything has changed from the previous software. The update adds support for the recently-launched GeForce GTX 460, fixes some bugs, and offers various speed improvements for a number of PC games:

• Up to 11% in Aliens vs. Predator (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
• Up to 7% in Crysis: Warhead (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Gamer)
• Up to 4% in H.A.W.X (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Very High)
• Up to 10% in Just Cause 2 (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF - Concrete Jungle)
• Up to 6% in Metro 2033 (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
• Up to 7% in Metro 2033 (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF – Tessellation on)
• Up to 10% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)
• Up to 12% in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)
• Up to 4% in World in Conflict (SLI – 1920x1200 4xAA/16xAF)

Download: Windows XP 32-bit | Windows XP 64-bit | Windows Vista/7 32-bit | Windows Vista/7 64-bit