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Nvidia released GeForce Game Ready Driver 576.40 WHQL on May 12, 2025, adding launch support for DOOM: The Dark Ages and addressing several targeted RTX 50-series gaming and display problems. It was the relevant driver for the game’s 2025 launch, but it is no longer the driver to install on a current system.
For a new installation, use Nvidia’s current GeForce driver page or the Nvidia App. Driver 576.40 remains useful as a historical reference for understanding what changed at launch.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – PlayStation 5 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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PlayStation 5 – DOOM: The Dark Ages – Standard Edition | $89.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages - Premium Edition - PlayStation 5 | $98.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Crimson Desert: Standard Edition - PlayStation 5 | $61.97 | Buy on Amazon |
What GeForce Driver 576.40 added for DOOM
576.40 was a Windows 10 and Windows 11 Game Ready driver from Nvidia’s Release 575 branch. Its main purpose was to prepare GeForce systems for DOOM: The Dark Ages.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match“Game Ready” support does not include the game itself or guarantee a particular frame rate. It generally means that Nvidia has prepared driver profiles, compatibility work and game-specific support for the title’s graphics features.
#1 Best Overall
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story.
Nvidia highlighted support for:
- Native ray tracing implemented by the game’s idTech8 engine.
- DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation on GeForce RTX 50-series GPUs.
- DLSS Super Resolution and DLAA.
- Nvidia Reflex for reduced system latency.
The announcement also described path tracing and DLSS Ray Reconstruction as features planned for a later game update. They were not features added by the 576.40 driver itself. Nvidia’s announcement is available here.
Hardware limits matter
DLSS features are not interchangeable across GeForce generations. RTX 50-series cards are required for DLSS Multi Frame Generation. RTX 40-series cards support conventional DLSS Frame Generation, while other RTX cards may support DLSS Super Resolution or related features where the game and hardware allow it.
The game must also implement the relevant technology. A driver cannot add every DLSS, ray-tracing or Reflex feature to a title that does not support it natively.
RTX 50-series fixes in 576.40
The release notes do not describe a universal RTX 50-series stability overhaul. They list specific fixes affecting particular games, displays and conditions.
Rank #2
- Brand Name:Xbox
- Video game region: region free
- Display Platform: PS5
Game fixes
- Dead Space Remake: fixed shadow flickering on RTX 50-series GPUs.
- Monster Hunter Wilds: fixed random stability issues.
Display and graphics fixes
- Fixed slightly oversaturated colors when a game was running below the monitor’s native resolution.
- Fixed black-screen-on-boot problems on RTX 50-series systems using certain ASUS displays, including the PG32UQXR, ROG PG248QP and ROG PG32UCDM.
- Fixed slight stutter on certain LG televisions at lower refresh rates when G-SYNC was enabled.
These fixes should not be expanded into a claim that 576.40 solved all RTX 50-series crashes, black screens, frame-generation problems or monitor issues. The official release notes define the narrower scope.
Problems that remained open
Nvidia’s 576.40 release notes also listed unresolved issues:
- Flickering or corruption around light sources in Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut.
- Cyberpunk 2077 crashing when taking a Photo Mode screenshot with path tracing enabled.
- F1 23 and F1 24 crashing at the end of a race.
- EA Sports FC 25 potentially crashing during gameplay.
This matters because a Game Ready release can fix one set of problems while leaving others unresolved or introducing new regressions.
Other additions in the driver
Beyond DOOM, 576.40 included support for the New World: Aeternum DLSS 4 update, including Multi Frame Generation and Reflex support.
Rank #3
- Get a head start on slaying demons with the Premium Edition, including up to 2-Days Early Access and the campaign DLC. You’ll also receive the Digital Artbook and Soundtrack, and the Divinity Skin Pack, which includes matching skins for the DOOM Slayer, dragon, and Atlan.
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story. Mystery, challenges, and rewards lurk in every shadow of ruined castles, epic battlefields, dark forests, ancient hellscapes, and worlds beyond.
Nvidia also added or updated 15 NVIDIA App DLSS overrides. The listed titles included Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Warframe, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and The Talos Principle: Reawakened. An app override is separate from native developer-implemented support, so its behavior may differ from the game’s own graphics settings.
The release further added seven validated G-SYNC Compatible displays and Optimal Playable Settings profiles for Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. It supported the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti, CUDA 12.9, Vulkan 1.4, OpenGL 4.6 and OpenCL 3.0 on Maxwell and later GPUs. The release notes also mention a newer OpenCL compiler based on Clang/NVVM 7.0.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you install 576.40 now?
For a May 2025 launch-day system, yes: 576.40 was the appropriate Game Ready release for playing DOOM: The Dark Ages, using its supported Nvidia technologies, or addressing one of the listed bugs.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFor a current system in 2026, no: do not install this old driver solely because it is associated with DOOM: The Dark Ages. Nvidia’s later material identifies driver 610.74, released in July 2026, for DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations. A 610.82 hotfix based on 610.74 addressed an RTX 50-series stability problem in Halo: Campaign Evolved. Check Nvidia’s current driver selector or the Nvidia App instead.
Rank #4
- Join Kliff, captain of the Greymanes, and his comrades as they embark on a relentless journey to defend Pywel and fulfill their mission.
- Along your perilous path stands both dependable allies and countless foes who will stop at nothing to see your downfall.
- Face trials to uncover the truth of the catastrophe looming over Pywel and restore peace to the continent.
- Explore the mesmerizing landscapes of the continent where mystical beings, hidden treasures, and thrilling adventures await.
- Pre-order to receive the Khaled Shield (Pre Order Code on Receipt). PS5 Editions include the Grotevant Plate Set DLC as a PS5 exclusive bonus. (In Pack DLC Voucher). Bonus DLC Includes: Grotevan Plate Helm, Grotevan Plate Armor, along with Grotevan cloak, gloves, and boots!
Stay on a newer stable WHQL driver if your system is working properly. A conservative update policy is reasonable if you do not play the affected games and do not need a documented fix. Laptop owners should also check their manufacturer’s recommended driver, especially on hybrid-graphics systems where display routing is customized.
How to update safely
- Open the Drivers section in the Nvidia App, or visit Nvidia’s official GeForce driver download page.
- Select the appropriate GeForce product and Windows version.
- Download and run the Game Ready Driver installer.
- Restart Windows if prompted.
- Confirm the installed version in the Nvidia App or in NVIDIA Control Panel’s system information.
After updating, reboot before judging stability. If a problem appears, temporarily disable overlays and recheck G-SYNC, V-SYNC, Frame Generation and Nvidia App override settings. If the issue began immediately after the update, install a newer WHQL release or use Nvidia’s official rollback route.
Do not assume that every black screen or stutter is a driver fault. Display firmware, cables, HDR, monitor input modes, GPU firmware, refresh-rate limits and fullscreen-versus-borderless presentation can all contribute. If the problem is reproducible, Nvidia directs users to its Driver Feedback Forum.
What the release did not promise
DLSS Multi Frame Generation can increase displayed frame rates, but generated frames do not proportionally increase the underlying rendered-frame rate or guarantee lower latency. Likewise, a driver update cannot repair a bug in the game executable itself.
Nvidia’s promotional material included performance figures for DOOM: The Dark Ages. Those are Nvidia’s own test claims, not independent benchmark results, so they should not be treated as universal performance guarantees.
Bottom line
GeForce Game Ready Driver 576.40 was an important DOOM: The Dark Ages launch driver released on May 12, 2025. It enabled the intended driver support for ray tracing, DLSS 4, Multi Frame Generation and Reflex, while fixing specific RTX 50-series issues in Dead Space Remake, Monster Hunter Wilds and selected displays. In 2026, however, it is obsolete: use Nvidia’s current compatible driver unless you have a very specific reason to study or troubleshoot the 576.40 release.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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