Can drivers cause artifacts?

[TheCommander]

I'm using a 9800 XT and not too long ago - around the same time I installed the newest drivers, loads of artifacts starting appearing in my games. Could the new drivers be causing the artifacting or is it just heat?

 

[ShuttleLuv]

Different optimizations done can cause more heat, thus equaling more artifacts IF you have a card with very weak cooling or a hs/f not making full contact etc.