I hesitate to use the word “exciting” when talking about a piece of computer software that simply facilitates playing video games, and I use the word cautiously, even when describing truly full-fledged video games. But we’re where we are and I have to embrace the sadness inside of me – so here goes: I really, really excited About Nvidia’s new Settings app on PC.
Titled the “Nvidia App,” this all-in-one setup is designed to replace the old “GeForce Experience” software, the official 1.0 version of which was released today. In fact, by the time you read this, it will be available through the usual official channels – but I’ve been road testing the new software before release.
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The logic is simple; the app is designed to provide a unified place for settings. In the Nvidia app, you can adjust settings for games and programs, install driver updates, adjust display settings, track or limit performance, and more. It aimed for a higher level of usability than Nvidia’s previous offerings, but arguably its greatest success was that it was more compact, sharper, and cleaner than anything that came before.
The first positive sign comes when you launch the app for the first time, asking a simple question: will you use it for gaming or productivity? With this selection, the app instantly refocuses what it presents to you, ensuring that the settings that really matter to you are front and center. Once you’re inside, it’s still clean and tidy.
I’m impressed with little things, like how the home screen provides instant download links to various other products in Nvidia’s portfolio. Previously, I was pretty sure that installing the very useful Nvidia Broadcast app required browsing Nvidia’s website. If it were available in the GeForce experience, it would be buried.
Here is the link to download this must-have app, which uses the power of the GPU to clean up outgoing audio or video for streaming or discord calls right there From the home page of the same application, you’ll use it to adjust GPU settings. The same goes for top-notch cloud gaming service GeForce Now, performance measurement tool FrameView, and other tools, including the various AI-enhanced applications Nvidia is currently developing. These home buttons open each app immediately after it is installed – another small but welcome change.
A lot of the joy of the new Nvidia app is in the little things. Very agile. Very sharp. it looks good. It offers a higher level of usability than GeForce Experience, which always felt like its usefulness was sacrificed in the name of more explicit “gameplay.” Practicality comes first.
I especially like the clean and enlightening presentation of the driver installation screen when new drivers are available. In the “What’s New” section, you’ll get a brief idea of which games the new driver is optimized for, even indicated by small icons. Instead, “what was fixed” inspired bug fixes. I basically never read GPU patch notes – but the demo here is such that I’ll probably skim it every time.
Gone is the damn awful overlay you used to trigger game recordings and such by pressing alt-Z. In its place is a new, sleeker overlay that only covers part of the screen, sliding in from the left side. It inherits the design language of the main application – that is, it’s better, clearer, and easier to use.
I like that some settings that were previously hidden in the more specific Nvidia control panel are now available here – while the control panel is still available, it’s an untouchable barometer for all graphics settings. But really, most of the time, standard users should only need this new Nvidia app. Crucially, I noticed no performance difference after switching from GeForce Experience – so there’s no performance hit from this funky new setup.
I have to be honest here: everything looks and feels better. There’s a lot to be said for an application like this that, to borrow a phrase from Steve Jobs, “just works.” It’s not why you turn on your computer; it’s why you turn on your computer. It is a means to an end. This is one way to ensure your game is running at its best. It is a utility program. This redesign feels like it puts practicality first – and honestly, I’m here for it.
I don’t miss my old GeForce experience. This app has replaced me, even in its first iteration. Hopefully, over time, things like Nvidia Broadcast can be integrated more directly into applications so they don’t run as standalone applications. But even if things are done separately, they end up feeling more unified and cohesive. This is a huge victory. The app is available now – head to the Nvidia website and download it.
