How many drivers/utilities are there really necessary to install?

[gkatsanos]

This is maybe a noob question but I think one that will be very useful as a reference.

When buying a new m/b (like mine: GA-Z77X-UD5H) we get a bunch of drivers and utilities.

Which of them are absolute necessary to install and what would be the best order to do so? (I don't have an optical drive so I get everything from the website)

The reason I am asking is that I suspect some of them have rather negative than positive impact on the performance. (such as the USB drivers?)
Loading a driver on boot has some impact on performance... so why load it if it's not necessary? ( windows 7 provides already a built-in driver in the Kernel )

Here are the drivers listed in the gigabyte download website for this m/b model:

Audio
Creative SB X-Fi MB2 driver
Realtek Function driver for Realtek Azalia audio chip (Including Microsoft UAA Driver in English edition)
(what's really the difference between those two and do I need them? I haven't being able to run any of the Creative tools like the Panel and so on...)

Chipset
Intel Management Engine Interface
Intel INF installation LAN
Intel LAN Driver
Atheros LAN driver
SATA RAID/AHCI
Intel Rapid Storage Technology
Intel SATA Preinstall driver (For AHCI / RAID Mode) Note: Press F6 during Windows setup to read from floppy.
does this mean I have to install this one before installing windows otherwise Windows won't be AHCI enabled? (mine seem to be and did no particular actions)
Marvell Preinstall Driver Note: Press F6 during Windows setup to read from floppy.
I guess I don't need this one if I don't use the Marvell controller...
Marvell Storage Utility
Same as above
Marvell SATA Controller Driver
Same as above

USB 3.0
Intel USB 3.0 Driver

VGA
Intel VGA Driver
is it needed if I'm using my discrete Nvidia graph. card?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

[wazza300]

Re: How many drivers/utilities are there really necessary to install?

just those imo

Intel Management Engine Interface
Intel INF installation LAN
Intel LAN Driver

the others are installed only if you need them otherwise the board will work and run fine without them

[Conners]

Re: How many drivers/utilities are there really necessary to install?

wazza is right IMO but maily out side of those ia just a personal preference.

[Logicaluser]

Re: How many drivers/utilities are there really necessary to install?

This is maybe a noob question but I think one that will be very useful as a reference.
[/FONT][/COLOR]SATA RAID/AHCI
Intel Rapid Storage Technology
Intel SATA Preinstall driver (For AHCI / RAID Mode) Note: Press F6 during Windows setup to read from floppy.
[COLOR=#0000ff][I]does this mean I have to install this one before installing windows otherwise Windows won't be AHCI enabled? (mine seem to be and did no particular actions)

the Intel SATA preinstall drivers are for users who are trying to install their OS onto a RAID array using Intel's RST tech.

Normal users in a single drive AHCI scenario usually have zero issues relying on microsoft's built-in SATA AHCI drivers, either until they get an OS installed and can install the Intel drivers or indefinitely (some actually prefer MSFT's drivers)

[gkatsanos]

Re: How many drivers/utilities are there really necessary to install?

Thanks, one remark, I think the Intel USB 3.0 roothub driver is needed after all...

But the Gigabyte Easytune stuff should be avoided, at least in my system the Gigabyte UPDATE checker added 20 seconds to my login screen. (confirmed)

[Vinster]

Re: How many drivers/utilities are there really necessary to install?

ya, don't bother with easytune, use HWmonitor, CoreTemp or RealTemp to monitor system temps.

for software overclocking, see if SetFSB is compatible with your MB

Vin

[gkatsanos]

Re: How many drivers/utilities are there really necessary to install?

I don't think I will be overclocking... I'm on a locked i7 (no K) and I got a 430W PSU - some folks told me it's not enough... thinking of switching it to a 580W one.. :(

[Vinster]

Re: How many drivers/utilities are there really necessary to install?

you can overclock a non K cpu, all that means is you cannot increase the CPU multiplier past the stock setting, but you can still increase the blk frequency for a little overclock. but yea a 430w PSU is on the small side

Vin