Intermediate

Graphics driver

Also: GPU driver, device driver, Adrenalin

In plain words

The software that lets Windows or macOS use your graphics card. Get it from the card maker.

The fuller definition

A graphics driver is the software that lets the operating system and applications use the graphics card. Local AI engines require a recent driver from the card maker.

How it fits together

Card
Hardware
Driver
Maker's software
Engine
Uses the card

A simplified relationship, not a screenshot or a complete design.

A concrete example

Ollama on Windows requires NVIDIA driver 551.61 or newer for NVIDIA cards.

The distinction that matters

Install drivers from the card maker, not from a third-party site.

Related terms

Hardware & hosting

CUDA

Nvidia's system for running AI maths on its graphics cards.

Hardware & hosting

ROCm

AMD's system for running AI maths on its graphics cards.

Hardware & hosting

GPU — Graphics processing unit

The chip that handles graphics, and also the maths AI needs. It is what makes AI fast.

Where it is taught

APIs and JSON: connect a model to a small program

Source and further reading

MDN · Web technology glossary

The definition and example are written for this library. The link gives background, official documentation or legal authority as labelled. Legal scope depends on the jurisdiction and current text; product features depend on release and settings.