Nvidia driver number versioning

[StDragon]

Could someone please explain the discrepancy in versioning between Nvidia and how Windows Device manager lists the same device driver versioning scheme?

 

For example, Nvidia will list its driver as version 446.14. However under Device Manager that same driver is listed as 26.21.14.4614. (bold emphasis mine)

 

So why float the decimal point from 4.4614 to 446.14? I never understood that logic.

[Radium_Angel]

17 minutes ago, StDragon said:

logic

You want logic from a driver?

 

[Haro]

1 minute ago, Radium_Angel said:

You want logic from a driver?

 

Or bios names 

These names suck

[StDragon]

2 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

You want logic from a driver?

 

The human logic (rational) to display the versioning scheme the way it is; specifically why is there that difference between Nvidia and how Microsoft lists it. It's confusing AF at first glance!

[Haro]

Just now, StDragon said:

The human logic (rational) to display the versioning scheme the way it is; specifically why is there that difference between Nvidia and how Microsoft lists it. It's confusing AF at first glance!

Naming schemes with these things don't make sense 

They never did 

Check bios names and your head will explode 

Also why do you care about Microsoft namings ? 

Usually nvidea is consistent with their names 

Higher number = newer version

[StDragon]

1 minute ago, TofuHaroto said:

Also why do you care about Microsoft namings

Because I work in IT.  Sometimes I have to resolve display related issues or validate hardware certified compatibility with AutoDesk products for example.

[Haro]

1 minute ago, StDragon said:

Because I work in IT.  Sometimes I have to resolve display related issues or validate hardware certified compatibility with AutoDesk products for example.

Just use nvidea's names 

It's a universal thing 

Almost no one use Microsoft names 

[Eigenvektor]

31 minutes ago, StDragon said:

For example, Nvidia will list its driver as version 446.14. However under Device Manager that same driver is listed as 26.21.14.4614. (bold emphasis mine)

So why float the decimal point from 4.4614 to 446.14? I never understood that logic.

One of them might be an internal version number the other one a more "user oriented" public version number.

 

For example for Android apps you typically have a "version name", which is something user friendly like "3.86" and a version code like "300014484" which is the number that is used by the operating system to actually determine which version is newer. This version is usually not advertised to users since it's not that readable.

 

As long as Nvidia is consistent with the version number shown on their web page and their driver settings why worry about a version number shown elsewhere? If you need the numbers for validation, just record both of them to be extra precise.