Is NVidia practicing intentional obsolescence?

[PCTechguy]

Hey guys!

I am making this thread with the aim of answering some questions, and because I've read many posts or articles ( a few) where for example, a driver (364.47 driver) causes problems.

So the problem is, I've read how NVidia is "downgrading" their own last g en (900 series) GPUs by installing / releasing new drivers, in order to have the current (10 series) shine.

So practically speaking, if this is true, which I feel it is, any GTX card will only last you 1-2 years.

I was intending to buy a GTX 1060, but reflecting on the fact on how the last gen (900 series) is so easily outperformed (1060 beating 980) I am having some reserves.

Now, I am all for hardware to become better faster. So initially, I do not see a GTX 1060 beating a 980 as a bad thing - great progress - on the surface.

But I feel, it is not worth it, if true, to buy a GTX 1060 only for it to be outdated 2 years from now. Or even 1 year from now. If it performs terribly because NVidia trashes their own GPUs just to make their current one look better by trashing a GTX 980. I do not have the money to upgrade every 1-2 years.

Because if a GTX 1080 in the future is beat by a 1160, then I see some fishy stuff going on. Like releasing drivers for the previous gen, that makes it worse.

I may be misinformed tho. So is NVidia practicing intentional obsolescence in order to "force" their customers to upgrade.

 

[bignastyid]

How do I directly download from NVidia before installing windows?
I.e. How do I install a driver from a USB to a PC with no OS installed?

You'd have to slipstream driver into the windows installation media. There's is no reason to do this, it's more trouble then it's worth. Install the OS then install drivers(chipset, video, audio, network, etc). Trust me it will be just fine I have done it countless times.

 

[hang-the-9]

So Windows 10 will use basic vga drivers?

Correct me if I am wrong. If I install windows 10, without installing any drivers with the CD. Windows 10 will install whatever driver for GPU, motherboard, etc.

I have a USB with plenty of space, So do I just stick the USB in my new PC and boot from that USB?

If that is the case, can I install GPU drivers, etc. Before installing Windows 10 at all?

Or can I just go ahead, install Windows 10 first (from USB) then install GPU drivers etc. IF I install drivers AFTER windows install, should I first uninstall current drivers and THEN download and install new drivers, or install new drivers, and then uninstall the old drivers?

my educated guess would be install drivers then uninstall the older drivers, but won't that cause problems?

I have changed from a Z170 motherboard to a MSI B150 Gaming M3, Socket-1151.

I initially went with a i5-6600K but since I realised that overclocking wouldn't be covered by the warranty, I wouldn't take the risk.

I am a bit paranoid on how to install drivers without a disk. And even if I got the drivers on a USB from the website (EVGA website or NVidia website - does it make a difference? Can I install from Nvidia website?)

Anyways, I will just use my common sense.

You are way overthinking things. Install Windows. Go to your motherboard support site, install chipset, audio, network, etc... drivers for Windows 10 from there. Go to nVidia support site, download and install the video card drivers from there. Don't try to uninstall anything that Windows 10 installed.

There are tons of guides out on the web on how to install Windows and drivers if you are not sure about how to install things.