HS-DR-01 / Driver matrix
Blackwell driver
× CUDA compatibility matrix.
Three shipped tiers — Helmstone W1 (RTX 5090), W2 (dual RTX Pro 6000), W4 (4× B200) — plus a DIY parts-list reference row, pinned against the recent CUDA × cuDNN matrix with the FY2026 LTS recommended pair called out above each row, and the kernel-mode gotchas each Blackwell SKU ships with below the table.
What this page answers
Which driver pair your tier pins to.
The FAQ “drivers” entry points at this page. Each matrix cell names the CUDA × cuDNN pair, the cell status (valid · experimental · unsupported), and the short gotcha bullet — driver-branch mismatch, workstation-vs-consumer firmware constraint, kernel-module land issues — a procurement meeting needs in one line.
What the cells mean
- Valid. Matches a 48-hour or 72-hour burn-in driver set a tier actually shipped against — the per-unit signed benchmark sheet names it.
- Experimental. Pair installs and runs against the SKU but is not in the Helmstone regression pool yet.
- Unsupported. Pair refuses to load, falls back to a degraded profile, or breaks the topology the SKU needs.
HS-DR / Rows × CUDA columns
The matrix.
Tiers run down the rows (DIY baseline, W1, W2, W4); CUDA versions run across the columns (12.6, 12.8, 13.0). LTS columns are tagged. Each cell carries a status, a cuDNN pair, and the gotcha bullet a buyer quoting thermals needs to be able to cite.
HS-DR-03 / How to read
How to read this page.
The matrix is the buyer-facing answer to the FAQ “drivers” row — a concrete pin of what each Blackwell tier has signed against. Three quick reads:
Skim the LTS callout first.
Top of the matrix is the FY2026 LTS pinned pair per shipped Helmstone tier. The DIY row is intentionally absent — no Helmstone warranty, no recommendation.
"Valid" = burn-in signature.
A Valid cell is the CUDA × cuDNN combination the unit was burned in against. The signed per-unit benchmark sheet names it explicitly so procurement can pin it back.
Read the CUDA column left-to-right.
Older CUDA columns appear toward the left of the form factor; the LTS columns are tagged. The right-most columns are the bleeding-edge CUDA versions, almost always Optional or Experimental on day one.
Roll-back is named in the note.
When a pair misbehaves, the cell note names the pin to roll back to — usually the burned-in Valid pair from a prior LTS column.
HS-DR-05 / Engage
Need a tier pinned
against a specific driver pair?
A pre-sales engineer will pin the SKU against your current CUDA × cuDNN baseline, confirm the pairing this matrix says to ship against, and return a signed benchmark target and a quote.