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!
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!
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