ASUS Z170 Pro Gaming driver questions

[BladePocok]

Hello,

I recently bought a new Z170 Pro Gaming mobo and I'm not quite sure which drivers do I need .I see some chipset driver and USB drivers too for example.I'm going to use everything as default I guess,for a few days with iGPU.

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z170-PRO-GAMING/HelpDesk_Download/

So from here,what should I download ? (Win 10 64bit) The whole PC is completely new, with SSD and HDD too, 0 hours. (haven't installed the windows yet )

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

First 2 Chipset drivers , Audio , Lan , and USB , rest are usually installed during windows installation.​

Graphics drivers , from Nvidia or AMD depending on your card.​

 

[BladePocok]

Thank you so much. Maybe Intel Rapid Storage Technology (sata) or Ramcache (from utilities) ?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The BIOS is only a few days old so I would start with that.

After that my approach is:

1. Install Windows to boot drive (SSD) on lowest numbered SATA port. Leave HD data cable disconnected

2. Turn off Windows ability to install Hardware drivers
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/8013-windows-update-

3. Install all hardware drivers / utilities* from original media in boxes. See Item 5 below
* Read MoBo manual to see exactly what utilities you will want to use.

4. Connect ethernet cable and run Windows Update till it stops doing anything

5. Install latest drivers for ALL hardware from manufacturers web sites. The reason we didn't do this in step 3 is 3 fold:
-Sometimes MoBo CD comes with licensed utilities with product key embedded and these are not on web site versions
-Its advisable to establish a working out of box conditions
-Sometimes newer drivers require latest Windows Updates
numbered SATA port

 

[Tradesman1]

Get latest versions of all from the Asus web site, the drivers on the CD are more often than not already out of date by the time you get the mobo and CD (can check CD for add on utility programs you might want, but more often than not it's bloat ware and trial versions of other, occasionally a licensed app) - don't count on Win as they use the generic drivers. Manufacturers often customize the drivers to the other components used on the mobo.

 

[BladePocok]

After I've done all of them,should I bother with .Net Framework latest version or DirectX or Visual C++ etc? These programs was mandatory back in my days for daily use,I don't know what's up in Win 10 . ( if you know any more crucial system-related program i would be happy to hear )

 

[Tradesman1]

Those will updated through Win 10 as it's part of MS and the OS 😉 Remaining will be the latest BPU drivers

 

[JackNaylorPE]

After I've done all of them,should I bother with .Net Framework latest version or DirectX or Visual C++ etc? These programs was mandatory back in my days for daily use,I don't know what's up in Win 10 . ( if you know any more crucial system-related program i would be happy to hear )

The included DVD will include:

a) all necessary drivers
b) all utilities, some of which may not be downloadable
c) Extra items like AV programs, Adobe PDF

As for the uilities, you should only "bother" with items you will actually use .... which is determined by reading the MoBo Manual.

On my last personnel build I ran into difficulties where the latest drivers could not be installed without BIOS update AND certain Windows Updates. And while I was able to get both LAN and WiFi drivers to coexist w/ the drivers off the DVD, I was never able to do so with any set of divers since. Asus TS claims it's only ever been a one or the other thing.

In addition Win 10, has a habit of installing drivers which conflict with manufacturers drivers. Yiou want to prevent those from being installed by WU before you get an opportunity to install manufacturer drives.

 

[BladePocok]

Last question : Should I install every important driver and system-related (essential) program into the SSD ? I mean can I make some exceptions and install a few of them into the HDD ? Would it be a problem later on if not every "crucial" file is next to the WIndows folder on the SSD?

 

[Tradesman1]

Odds and ends (utility programs, and like mentioned above, though things like even Adobe can often be out of date too) things can go to a separate drive. Most keep the drivers on the OS drive.