In 2015, the Khronos Group, an open consortium of software and hardware developers, released the OpenGL ES 3.2 specification. It covers almost all smartphones and mobile devices using the Android OS. Plus, the OpenGL 2015 ARB desktop extension was introduced. In connection with these events, NVIDIA has released a new version of the OpenGL Driver for its video cards. This driver suite enables the new OpenGL ES 3.2 or OpenGL ARB features to be used on all GPUs based on Maxwell, Kepler, or Fermi architecture.
Full list of supported cards:
GeForce series 400:
GeForce GTX 480, GeForce GTX 470, GeForce GTX 465, GeForce GTX 460 SE v2, GeForce GTX 460 SE, GeForce GTX 460, GeForce GTS 450, GeForce GT 440, GeForce GT 430, GeForce GT 420, GeForce 405.
GeForce 500 series:
GeForce GTX 590, GeForce GTX 580, GeForce GTX 570, GeForce GTX 560 Ti, GeForce GTX 560 SE, GeForce GTX 560, GeForce GTX 555, GeForce GTX 550 Ti, GeForce GT 545, GeForce GT 530, GeForce GT 520, GeForce 510.
GeForce 600 series:
GeForce GTX 690, GeForce GTX 680, GeForce GTX 670, GeForce GTX 660 Ti, GeForce GTX 660, GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST, GeForce GTX 650 Ti, GeForce GTX 650, GeForce GTX 645, GeForce GT 645, GeForce GT 640, GeForce GT 630, GeForce GT 620, GeForce GT 610, GeForce 605.
GeForce 700 series:
GeForce GTX TITAN Z, GeForce GTX TITAN Black, GeForce GTX TITAN, GeForce GTX 780 Ti, GeForce GTX 780, GeForce GTX 770, GeForce GTX 760, GeForce GTX 760 Ti (OEM), GeForce GTX 750 Ti, GeForce GTX 750, GeForce GTX 745, GeForce GT 740, GeForce GT 730.
GeForce 900 series:
GeForce GTX 960, GeForce GTX 970, GeForce GTX 980, GeForce GTX 980 Ti, GeForce GTX Titan X.
Quadro series:
Quadro M6000, Quadro K6000, Quadro K5200, Quadro K5000, Quadro K4000, Quadro K4200, Quadro K2200, Quadro K2000, Quadro K2000D, Quadro K1200, Quadro K620, Quadro K600, Quadro K420, Quadro 6000, Quadro 5000, Quadro 4000, Quadro 2000 , Quadro 2000D, Quadro 600, Quadro 410.
There are both professional accelerators and "amateur" ones ...
OpenGL technology is "just" a set of specifications for a computer graphics processing toolkit. OpenGL opens up a ton of additional possibilities for developers, especially in terms of 3D. At the same time, if one platform or video card does not support all the graphics capabilities that, for example, the developer of a computer game assumes, it is OpenGL that takes care of all these shortcomings by supporting a library of additional functions.
In the early 1990s, software manufacturers had to make sure their applications could run on as many graphics cards as possible. However, a single specification did not exist at that time and one had to write huge chunks of code in order for the program to work on different hardware. Such security could not last long. And OpenGL took care of all the compatibility issues at a low level.
Since then, programmers have had to write for OpenGL, and video card manufacturers have to include support for this technology in their devices. Here are just some of the areas where OpenGL is used:
- computer three-dimensional modeling of physical processes;
- computer animation;
- 3D modeling in design and advertising;
- cinematic special effects;
- and, of course, game computer graphics.
OpenGL accelerators
The total number of modifications of OpenGL accelerators, perhaps, cannot be accurately calculated. There are both professional accelerators and "amateur" ones. However, the average user does not have to delve into all the technical details. All he needs to know is if his video card supports OpenGL technology.
Today we can say with confidence that any modern gaming video card, even a budget one like nvidia geforce gt 210, supports most of the OpenGL specifications. Of course, only the video card manufacturer itself can give a full report on support or non-support of all specifications. Therefore, testing of professional OpenGL accelerators can be safely left to professionals.
However, the situation is complicated by the fact that there are several versions of OpenGL today. And if, for example, OpenGL 2.0 is successfully processed by the nvidia geforce gt 210 video card, and most others, then with OpenGL 3.0 and even more so with the latest OpenGL 4.5 - only certain models are already. And each new version provides graphics developers with additional opportunities for "drawing", and the user opens up new, more realistic computer worlds.
Full specifications should be viewed either on the websites of video card manufacturers or in the documentation. A large selection of discrete graphics cards can be found on the website
In most cases, a package of files called OpenGL is required by users to correctly run certain games on a computer running the Windows 7 operating system. If this driver is missing or its version is outdated, the programs simply will not be turned on, and an appropriate notification will be displayed on the screen asking for installation or update BY. In this article, we will talk about loading new OpenGL libraries as extensively as possible.
First of all, it is worth figuring out how the component in question is installed on a PC. All necessary files are installed together with the graphics adapter drivers. Therefore, you should first update the software of this component, and then proceed to the analysis of an alternative method.
When you have the latest driver installed on your video card and there are no more updates, and you still receive a notification about the need to update OpenGL, go straight to the third method. If this option does not bring any results, then your hardware does not support the latest libraries. We recommend that you think about choosing a new video card.
Method 1: Update graphics card drivers in Windows 7
As mentioned above, OpenGL components are shipped with the graphics adapter files. Windows 7 has several methods for updating them. Each of them is suitable in different situations and requires the user to perform certain actions. Go to the article at the link below to learn more about all the methods. Choose the right one and follow the instructions provided. Upon completion of the process, it is enough to restart the computer and check the performance of games or other programs that required a fresh version of the library.
Method 2: Updating components in the proprietary graphics card utility
Now the main manufacturers of graphics adapters are AMD and NVIDIA. Each has its own software that ensures correct operation of the operating system and allows software updates. For NVIDIA graphics card owners, please refer to the following link for instructions on installing the new OpenGL driver in GeForce Experience.
AMD cardholders need to read other articles, because in this case, all actions are performed in the Catalyst Control Center or in the Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition, depending on the type of software installed.
Method 3: Update DirectX
Not the most efficient but sometimes working method is to install new DirectX library components. Sometimes it contains suitable files that allow the necessary games or programs to function normally. First you need to find out which DirectX is already installed on your computer. To do this, read the instructions in the article below.
At the moment, the latest version for Windows 7 is DirectX 11. If you have installed an earlier library, we advise you to update it and check the software functionality. Read more about this topic in other material.
As you can see, there is nothing difficult in updating OpenGL, the main issue remains only to support fresh files of this component with your video card. We recommend that you test all methods, since the effectiveness of each depends on different circumstances. Read the instructions and follow them, then you will definitely succeed.
If you receive an error message when starting Movavi Video Suite, your computer most likely does not support the version of OpenGL it needs to run. For stable operation, the video card must support OpenGL 2.0. OpenGL 2.1 or higher is recommended for smooth operation.
OpenGL is a programming interface responsible for displaying graphics data. Usually the video card driver provides it. However, some video cards do not support the required version of OpenGL. In this case, follow these steps:
Step 1: update your graphics card driver
This problem can occur if your computer's video driver is out of date. Download the driver installation file from the manufacturer's website and follow the installation instructions.
Step 2: Try to install a software implementation of OpenGL
If after updating the drivers the video card still does not support 2.0, you can install a replacement in the video software:
In the message that appears when you start Movavi Video Suite, check the box Download and install software implementation of OpenGL.
Or in the main menu of the program, click Settings and in the menu that appears, select Parameters... In the settings window, check the box Use a software implementation of OpenGL and press OK.
This will automatically download and install the OpenGL software. After the installation is complete, restart Movavi Video Suite.
If the previous steps didn't work:
Undoubtedly, many gamers know that for the correct operation of such well-known games as Minecraft or CS, one of the most basic conditions is that the system has the latest OpenGL drivers installed. How to update this driver package will now be discussed, since, like any other software, they can be out of date. That is why sometimes there are problems with the launch of your favorite games.
OpenGL: How Simplest Way?
First of all, if, when starting a game or some specific application, the system says that the OpenGL drivers need updating, you should use the most standard solution.
To activate the process, you should enter the standard "Device Manager", which can be done from the "Control Panel", the computer administration section, or by the devmgmgt.msc command through the "Run" console line, and find the installed video adapter there.
The update can be launched using the command of the same name in the right-click menu or in the device properties section. If you specify an automatic search, it may not work and the system will inform you that the best driver is already installed. Therefore, it is advisable to first go to the equipment manufacturer's website, select your graphics card model, download the newest driver, and during installation indicate the location of the saved distribution.
How to update OpenGL on Windows 7 or any other system using specialized utilities?
For owners of NVIDIA and Radeon chips, the task can be somewhat simplified. As a rule, special control programs such as PhysX and Catalyst are supplied preinstalled for them. That is why you can use them to update your OpenGL driver.
If for some reason such utilities are not available, you should simply download and integrate them into the system. If you have a constantly active Internet connection, they will be useful not only for setting up games, but also for automatically tracking the appearance of new versions of the necessary drivers, including OpenGL.
In principle, if the user does not like this option, you can use no less interesting programs like Driver Booster, which, without user intervention, update drivers for absolutely all hardware and software devices installed on a computer or laptop. The application will automatically detect the version of the OpenGL driver while scanning the system. How do I update it? You just need to agree with the proposal to install the updates found. Upon completion of the update process, a complete reboot is required.
Finally, you can install a special utility called the OpenGL Extensions Viewer, with which you can both find out the version of the installed driver package and update it to the latest version.
DirectX update
However, the update may not give the desired positive result without updating the DirectX platform, which is a kind of connecting bridge between the hardware and the software complex in terms of multimedia.
You can find out the installed version using the dxdiag command in the Run menu. You can download the new distribution from the official Microsoft support site in the Downloads section.
As already clear, DirectX OpenGL can be updated by simply starting the installation process of the loaded distribution. The benefit of this update is that a number of tests can be performed in the DirectX dialog itself, including DirectSound performance, ffdshow, Direct3D, and more.
Why are the drivers not updating?
If suddenly none of the above solutions helps, most likely the reason lies only in the fact that the video adapter simply does not support the installed version of OpenGL, so no matter how you try, the driver will not be able to install. The only way out is to install a more powerful video card.
By the way, this problem is most often encountered in the case of integrated video-on-board video chips, which are built into motherboards. With discrete video cards, as a rule, there are no such problems (naturally, provided that the chip is not too outdated and natively supports OpenGL technology). As for such cards, I think it is already clear. But sometimes it may be necessary to update the JAVA Runtime platforms or even the .NET Framework from Microsoft - this should not be forgotten either. But as a rule, in most cases this is not required - it is enough to use the OpenGL Extensions Viewer utility in parallel.
