Nvidia Gf106 Driver ✦ Trusted & Top-Rated
1. What is the GF106?
The GF106 is the codename for the graphics processor (GPU) found inside the Nvidia GeForce GTS 450. It was part of the Fermi architecture (400/500 series), released around 2010.
If you are looking for drivers for this card, you are likely dealing with legacy hardware.
Issue #4: CUDA not recognized in video editing apps (Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve)
Cause: GF106 is Compute Capability 2.1. Newer software dropped support for CC 2.x.
Solution: Use older software versions:
- DaVinci Resolve 15 or 16 (free)
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2017
- HandBrake 1.3.3 (with CUVA disabled).
Part 4: Installation Guide – Overcoming Common Errors
Installing driver 391.35 on a modern system (Windows 10 22H2 or Windows 11) is not always plug-and-play. Here are the most common issues and solutions. nvidia gf106 driver
Where to Download the Correct Driver
Because Nvidia’s automatic driver detection tools no longer target these old GPUs, you must manually download the final legacy drivers from Nvidia’s official archive.
The Driver Challenge: End-of-Life Status
NVIDIA officially classified all Fermi-based GPUs (including GF106) as Legacy (End-of-Life) in April 2018. This means:
- No new performance optimizations for modern games.
- No new features (e.g., later versions of Vulkan or CUDA).
- Critical Security Updates ended for most OS versions by late 2019.
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. DaVinci Resolve 15 or 16 (free) Adobe Premiere
Overclocking (Proceed with Caution)
The GF106 is a 40nm chip that runs hot. Using MSI Afterburner (version 4.6.3 or older, as newer versions dropped Fermi support), you can attempt:
- Core Clock: +50 to +100 MHz
- Memory Clock: +100 to +200 MHz
- Voltage: Do not modify (no gains on GF106 without hardware mods).
For Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit):
- Final Version: 391.35 (released March 2018)
- Download Source: Nvidia’s "Advanced Driver Search" – filter by GeForce 400 Series > GTS 450 > your OS.
⚠️ Important: Do not install drivers newer than 391.xx. Later drivers (470+, 520+) will either fail to install or will default to a basic Microsoft display adapter, ignoring the GF106’s capabilities entirely.
Issue #3: Display flickers or black screen after driver install
Cause: Modern monitors via HDMI/DVI might request timings the GF106’s display controller cannot handle.
Solution: Boot into Safe Mode, uninstall with DDU, then reinstall driver without the "NVIDIA HD Audio" driver component (uncheck it during custom install). Part 4: Installation Guide – Overcoming Common Errors
Introduction: What is the GF106?
In the vast ecosystem of NVIDIA graphics processors, the GF106 holds a specific, historical place. Codenamed "GF106," this is a mid-range graphics processing unit (GPU) from NVIDIA’s Fermi architecture, fabricated on a 40nm process. Released between 2010 and 2012, the GF106 was not a retail product name itself but the silicon heart behind several popular budget and mid-range dedicated graphics cards.
If you have landed on this page searching for the "nvidia gf106 driver," you likely own a legacy graphics card such as the GeForce GTS 450 (OEM variant), the GeForce GT 445M, the GeForce GT 540M, the GeForce GT 550M, or the GeForce GT 555M. Understanding how to properly source, install, and optimize the driver for this 40nm chip is critical for keeping older laptops and desktops functional on modern operating systems.
This article provides an exhaustive deep dive into the GF106 driver landscape, covering official legacy support, community patches, performance tuning, and common troubleshooting issues.