In a year-end development, Realtek, Intel, and AMD have unveiled their December 2023 drivers for Windows 11 and Windows 10, introducing various improvements to enhance user experiences. While these updates promise enhanced functionality, it’s crucial to acknowledge that they also come with a set of known issues, including game crashes in titles like ‘Dead by Daylight,’ particularly with the latest Intel drivers.
It’s worth noting that these drivers will eventually be integrated into Windows Update, streamlining the process for users who may not actively seek these updates.
Realtek’s Network and USB Drivers: Realtek has rolled out updates for PCIe network drivers for both Windows 11 and Windows 10, specifically targeting NetAdapterCx and NDIS. Notably, the power-saving feature has been disabled in these versions. Although USB drivers remain untouched, the PCIe network drivers have been revamped for Windows 11 (version 11.0.2.1) and Windows 10 (version 10.50). Users are advised to download these drivers only if they encounter issues with their existing Realtek driver.
Intel’s Graphics and Connectivity Drivers: Intel’s December 2023 drivers encompass versions 31.0.101.5084 (non-WHQL) and 31.0.101.5122 (WHQL) for Arc, Iris Xe, and Core Ultra graphics. Despite a substantial download size, Intel’s release notes lack specific details on new features or fixes. The updates address ongoing issues, such as game crashes in ‘Dead by Daylight’ and challenges with ‘Topaz Video AI.’ In addition to GPU drivers, Intel has released new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers with numerous fixes, including support for 6E Standard Power (AFC) and resolving issues related to wireless adapters after exiting hibernation mode.
AMD’s Graphics Driver Update: AMD’s December 2023 update (Adrenalin 23.12.1 WHQL) primarily supports ‘Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.’ This update brings a fresh design to the software interface, focusing on the Home and Gaming tabs, along with energy-saving features via HYPR-RX Eco. AMD emphasizes that the AMD Link driver will not be supported after January 2024, but users can continue using AMD Link. The update also introduces improvements in DirectML for Topaz AI and DaVinci Resolve, among other enhancements.
Users can obtain these updates through various channels, such as Realtek’s download page, Intel’s support assistant app, or AMD Radeon Software.
While these drivers may enhance the overall performance of Windows 11, users not experiencing issues may choose to overlook these updates for the time being.
