What are the graphics drivers with known issues?

The help on "Resolving Low-Level Graphics Issues" (in R2021b; I assume later versions as well) states that "MATLAB automatically switches to a software implementation:" (which mine just did) when, among others, "... you are using a graphics driver with known issues ...". Where is the list or database with those "known issues" so that I can check my graphics hardware and driver against it? If there isn't such a list, how are these issues 'known'?

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

I have never seen such a list, or have ever seen this issue being mentioned here previously. Someone from MathWorks needs to post on this.

The rendererinfo function is the only way I am aware of to determine any of those properties.

There have been problems in the past with certain AMD drivers that would result in legend objects not being displayed properly. AMD fixed these problems a few years ago and they have not recurred.

I keep my graphics drivers updated regularly. There are links in that documentation page to sites that have resources for various graphics hardware manufacturers. (AMD has one that will detect the installed AMD hardware and choose the correct driver.)

If in doubt, update the drivers.

[Gerrit]

Thanks for that quick initial answer. I'll have a look at the updating my graphics driver; it's NVIDIA, maybe not the brand that you use. Anyway, one quick question in case anyone knows: NVIDIA offers two driver download types: 'Game Ready Drivers' and 'Studio Drivers'. Does anyone know whether there's any difference between these for using Matlab and if so, whether there's any recommendation for either?

As another general comment, here is the message I got in Matlab warning about the crash, in case it jogs any memories or ideas:

------

Warning: MATLAB previously crashed due to a low-level graphics

error. To prevent another crash in this session, MATLAB is

using software OpenGL instead of using your graphics hardware.

To save this setting for future sessions, use the

opengl('save', 'software') command. For more information, see

Resolving Low-Level Graphics Issues.

> In matlab.graphics.internal.initialize (line 15)

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The two bottom lines are links to the help and to the relevant Matlab code (I assume; I didn't think it would help me following that second link).

[Star Strider]

From the Official GeForce Drivers | NVIDIA page:

Game Ready Drivers Vs NVIDIA Studio Drivers

Whether you are playing the hottest new games or working with the latest creative applications, NVIDIA drivers are custom tailored to provide the best possible experience. If you are a gamer who prioritizes day of launch support for the latest games, patches, and DLCs, choose Game Ready Drivers. If you are a content creator who prioritizes reliability for creative workflows including video editing, animation, photography, graphic design, and livestreaming, choose Studio Drivers. Do a little bit of both? No worries, either can support running the best games and creative apps.

I always use the ‘Game Ready Drivers’ because I also use my computers for occasional gaming. I have never had any problems with MATLAB graphics applications with the NVIDIA GameReady Drivers on my laptop computer, or with the AMD drivers on my desktop computer. I am not sure that it makes much difference with respect to MATLAB graphics. I keep the respective Radeon Software and GeForce Experience apps active on the Windows taskbar so they can notify me of driver updates (that seem to be relatively frequent lately).

.

[Gerrit]

Thanks - (mini-rant here): what does this techno-speak (to me) of 'day of launch support' mean, and why wouldn't you want that if you're a content creator? (rant over) Anyway, just ignore that: it looks like the driver type shouldn't make much difference so I''ll select the 'Game' driver. It's strange that Windows Device Manager says I have the latest driver when the NVIDIA website seems to show a more recent version; I hope that doesn't cause any problems - but that's not a Matlab issue.

[Star Strider]

My pleasure!

No worries! You are apparently not a gamer. Games frequently require the latest hardware and software support as they attempt to claim technical superiority over rival games and game publishers. The game creators usually notify the hardware and software manufacturers ahead of the release of new features, and the manufacturers do their collective best to have the new versions ready when the new games or game upgrades are released. These also involve ray-tracing and Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities as well, applications that MATLAB may not (perhaps ever) support, simply because they may not be necessary for MATLAB graphics.

Believe the NVIDIA and AMD apps with respect to the driver updates. MathWorks likely does its best, however it may not be notified of or inquire about the latest driver versions as frequently as they appear. They may also be graphics card dependent, and keeping track of all of them would be formidable. My Radeon card on this computer has had two driver updates this week, and the NVIDIA card on my laptop has had one in each of the last two weeks. Collectively, both have had several this year.

Tracking all the driver updates is likely a swiftly-moving target.

[Gerrit]

No, I'm not a big gamer - wish I had the time! Wouldn't use them on this, my work PC, anyway. I got the Graphics card more to display Simulink scopes and other Matlab graphics (not sure if it's helped much in that regard) and potentially to do some neural network/machine learning/AI type work where GPUs are reputedly faster than CPUs. Haven't really done any work in that area yet though.

I installed the latest NVIDIA driver for my card, but since the error is intermittent and infrequent (luckily) it's too early to say whether that made any difference. Will keep an eye out but for repeat crashes and further driver updates - I probably should do the latter anyway.

It would still be nice to see some kind of response to my 'what are these known issues and do any apply to me' question from MathWorks.

[Star Strider]

‘It would still be nice to see some kind of response to my 'what are these known issues and do any apply to me' question from MathWorks.’

To ask them, Contact Support. Include the URL of this post in your note to them.

[Gerrit]

Fair point re. contacting support for detailed info. My immediate issue has probably changed because I updated my graphics driver, so I'll have to wait until the next crash or error message (unless the driver was actually the cause of the crash, in which case it shouldn't happen again), but I'll certainly contact support then. Thanks!

[Star Strider]

As always, my pleasure!