Nvidia driver 595.71 causes up to 16% performance drop on RTX cards

Nvidia's latest graphics driver version 595.71 is causing significant performance issues, with some graphics cards experiencing up to 16% lower performance due to reduced voltages and clock speeds. As reported by PCGamesN, the driver was released on 2 March to fix fan issues from the previous problematic version 595.59, but has introduced new problems affecting RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti cards.

What's causing the performance drop?

According to tech YouTuber Bang4BuckPC Gamer, driver 595.71 is limiting core clock speeds and voltages on affected graphics cards. Testing revealed that an RTX 5090 previously running at over 3,100MHz with voltages around 1.050V was reduced to under 3,000MHz and under 1V after installing the new driver.

The impact becomes clear in benchmark results. Using the Unigine Heaven benchmark, the older driver 591.74 achieved 171fps at a specific test point, whilst the problematic 595.71 driver managed only 144fps — a significant 27fps difference. The clock speed difference measured 143MHz, with voltage dropping by 0.060V.

Independent testing by WCCFTech confirmed similar results with RTX 5090 cards, whilst user reports indicate RTX 5070 Ti cards are also experiencing the same issues.

Who's affected by the driver issues?

The performance problems primarily affect users running manual overclocking tools such as MSI Afterburner. The driver appears to be limiting the effectiveness of these tools, preventing them from achieving the core clock and voltage increases they normally provide.

Whilst the full extent of impact on factory overclocked or default clock speed cards hasn't been verified, early reports suggest manually overclocked setups bear the brunt of the performance reduction. This particularly affects enthusiasts who fine-tune their graphics card settings for maximum gaming performance.

The timing couldn't be worse for UAE PC gamers who have invested in high-end hardware, especially given the ongoing supply constraints affecting graphics card availability and pricing in the region.

How to fix the driver performance issues

The recommended solution is rolling back to an earlier, stable driver version. Both Bang4BuckPC Gamer and WCCFTech confirmed that driver versions 591.74 and 591.86 restore expected performance levels.

To roll back your Nvidia driver, you can download older versions directly from Nvidia's website by searching for "Nvidia driver" followed by the specific version number. The rollback process involves uninstalling the current driver through Windows' Add or Remove Programs, then installing the older version.

For users experiencing these issues, it's advisable to avoid driver 595.71 until Nvidia releases a fix. The company has yet to acknowledge the problem or provide a timeline for resolution.

What this means for Nvidia users

This marks the second problematic driver release in less than a week, following version 595.59 which caused graphics card fans to stop working entirely. The consecutive issues represent an unusual pattern for Nvidia, whose Game Ready drivers have maintained a strong reputation for stability in recent years.

For UAE gamers and PC enthusiasts, these driver problems highlight the importance of careful consideration before updating. The performance impact is particularly concerning for those who have invested in premium graphics cards like the RTX 5090, where a 16% performance reduction significantly affects gaming experience.

The situation also underscores the value of maintaining stable driver versions when system performance is satisfactory, rather than immediately updating to the latest release.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the issues with Nvidia driver 595.71?

Nvidia driver 595.71 causes graphics cards to run at lower voltages and clock speeds, leading to up to 16% lower performance, especially for overclocked cards. The driver limits core clock speeds to under 3,000MHz and voltages to under 1V on affected systems.

Which Nvidia graphics cards are affected by driver 595.71?

The issues have been reported primarily on RTX 5090 and RTX 5070 Ti cards. The problems mainly affect cards using manual overclocking tools like MSI Afterburner, though the full extent of impact on factory overclocked cards remains unverified.

How can I fix the Nvidia driver 595.71 performance issues?

The recommended solution is to roll back to an older, stable driver version such as 591.74 or 591.86. You can download these from Nvidia's website by searching for the specific version number, then uninstall the current driver and install the older version.

Should I update to the latest Nvidia drivers immediately?

Given recent stability issues with consecutive problematic releases, it's advisable to wait for user feedback and reviews before updating. If your current driver is working well, consider staying with it until any reported issues are resolved.

Will Nvidia fix the driver 595.71 performance problems?

Nvidia has not yet officially acknowledged the performance issues or provided a timeline for a fix. Users experiencing problems should roll back to stable driver versions until an official solution is released.

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