New Nvidia Driver Revives Support for Legacy CPUs in Windows
The latest Nvidia driver now allows users to run older CPUs, like the Intel Core 2 Duo, alongside modern GPUs without compatibility issues.
Have you ever wished to run an older Intel Core 2 Duo alongside a cutting-edge RTX 50 series graphics card while using Windows? It seemed impossible until now. Recent developments indicate that you can do exactly that, thanks to the new Nvidia driver update (version 576.40), which eliminates the need for the PopCnt instruction in CPUs, a requirement that older models lack.
Key Updates:
- Previously, Windows 10 allowed pre-PopCnt CPUs to function, but Nvidia’s support didn’t cover these models with its newer drivers, restricting many older CPU users.
- Now, users can seamlessly install the latest Nvidia drivers without facing compatibility issues, which includes pairing older CPUs with newer graphics cards, like the RTX 5090.
“UPDATE: Recent NVIDIA drivers no longer require the POPCNT CPU instruction, making it possible to use an Intel Core 2 Duo alongside an RTX 5090!” - TheBobPony
Keep in mind that Windows 11 still mandates the PopCnt requirement, meaning these updates are more beneficial to Windows 10 users. This is a game-changer for those who still hold onto older hardware while wanting to use modern GPUs. If you’re one of these users, do let us know how your setup performs!
