New Nvidia Drivers Revive Compatibility with Legacy CPUs on Windows

Nvidia's new driver update, version 576.40, introduces crucial support for older CPUs by removing the necessity for the POPCNT instruction, enabling legacy systems such as the Intel Core 2 Duo to run with cutting-edge RTX 50-series graphics cards under Windows 10. This enhancement not only broadens compatibility for older hardware, allowing users to explore GPU acceleration for legacy software and economical computing setups but also maintains the requirement for modern hardware capabilities in systems running Windows 11. Discover more about this update and download it from Nvidia's official site.

Nvidia’s latest driver update, version 576.40, brings a surprising twist for PC enthusiasts: improved support for older CPUs on Windows 10. By removing the dependency on the POPCNT instruction, this update allows legacy processors—like the Intel Core 2 Duo—to work with modern Nvidia graphics cards, including the upcoming RTX 50-series.

What’s Changed?

Traditionally, Nvidia’s drivers have required the POPCNT instruction, an operation found in most CPUs released after 2008. Without it, older processors would crash when trying to run newer drivers. With version 576.40, Nvidia has changed that—at least for Windows 10.

Key Highlights:

  • Driver Version: 576.40
  • Main Change: No longer requires the POPCNT instruction
  • CPU Compatibility: Supports older CPUs like Intel Core 2 Duo
  • OS Support: Windows 10 only (Windows 11 still requires POPCNT)

Why It Matters

This update opens the door for users running older systems to pair them with modern GPUs—something that was previously off-limits due to driver incompatibility. While it’s unlikely anyone will be gaming at high settings with a 15-year-old CPU, the update does offer new possibilities:

  • Running legacy software that benefits from GPU acceleration
  • Building hybrid systems for testing or hobbyist projects
  • Creating budget-friendly machines for light workloads

It’s also a welcome move for accessibility, giving more people the chance to use modern hardware without a full system upgrade.

What About Windows 11?

It’s important to note that this change only applies to Windows 10. Windows 11 still requires the POPCNT instruction at the OS level, so older CPUs won’t boot it—regardless of Nvidia’s driver support.

Where to Get It

The updated driver is available now from Nvidia’s official download page:

Download Nvidia Driver 576.40

Looking Ahead

As with any major compatibility shift, real-world performance and stability will depend on individual hardware setups. Early community feedback and further testing will help clarify just how viable these legacy-modern combinations are for daily use.

Still, for those keeping old systems alive—or building something a bit different—this driver is a welcome surprise.

Original article: PC Gamer

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