Tom Tancredi :
....
Install it, it won't hurt, won't take up space, and only makes sure you have a WORKING computer at the bare minimum. I would HIGHLY recommend using a tool like Slimdrivers, because there are MANY different drivers your computer NEEDS to properly work, and WINDOWS does NOT manage that part for you, that is totally YOUR fault for not updating XYZ driver. Just to let you know.
rhysiam :
By that argument computers would never work because you'd need a working display driver to be able to install... a display driver. In reality, even if Windows can't automatically grab the driver for the completely standard HD Graphics 4600 on his CPU, it'll just run just fine in compatibility mode (like any GPU in last 15 years).
Actually it is a four step process; as I pointed back to OP about.
1) The LCD/TV/whatever able to display the frequency and resolution
2) The GPU to RENDER the frequency and resolution
3) Driver to interpret how to properly 'speak' to 1 & 2 about the information it gets from Windows
4) Windows request on what it 'interprets' what should be displayed passed back up the line 3-2-1.
I have had numerous times when people (as i said in my example) using some LCD TV, and tried to switch to 'safemode' to remove some bad malware, and they come back telling me "it doesn't work". Then saying the "screen is black", and further analysis is the LCD TV can't do that frequency / resolution. That doesn't count also the numerous times from some cheapo video card ALSO doing the same thing though it supposed to 'render' the VGA level display. It happens, especially when your relying on 'Windows' to be the end all be all ONLY solution for the 'computer' which it is not.
rhysiam :
I certainly don't want excess drivers on any of my systems. I'd much rather install them as and when I need them in the future.
I completely and absolutely disagree, because your generalizing it is 'just' a single GPU / Audio / etc. driver. There are a MYRIAD of drivers you do NOT see 'updated' when you do install the OEM drivers, nor even consider 'has a driver'.
To PROVE the point; open Device Manager, View by Resource Type. Have you EVER downloaded and installed the Numeric Data processor Driver? How about the last time you installed the System CMOS / real time clock Driver? - These are CRITICAL hardware devices (numeric data processing and timing for hardware) that are part of the OEM install, so when you install (for example) Intel's CHIPSET drivers, alot of this happens in the background and your unaware, while you may (and most certainly most people) THINK all your installing is you 'CPU Driver', which is just one portion of ALL the drivers.
rhysiam :
Finally - while I see where you're coming from with avoiding Windows driver selection and getting everything direct, that does introduce a couple of potential issues. Driver CDs that come with hardware are often woefully out of date, and while going direct to the manufacturer's website is a good idea,...Maybe a package like SlimDrivers helps, but if I understand it (like many other similar packages) tries to slip in bloatware which again, can cause as many issues as it resolves for the unsuspecting user.
Why would I promote something to 'bloat' and infect a computer anyway? I have to be a total XXXhat ! Come on!
Slimdrivers does NOT "slip in bloatware" (should look INTO things instead of GENERALIZING off other answers to justify your statement). Slimdrivers simply keeps a running database of the manufacturer website links, then downloads DIRECT (and shows you the link so you can see for yourself) from the manufacturer the correct and upto date driver. Another program that does a good job, but ultimately limits you until you pay for 'Pro' Edition, is ioBits Driver Booster, doing the same thing.
rhysiam :
it opens the potential for installing the wrong drivers, particularly when manufacturers have multiple board revisions with different components. Telling users who are new to computers that it's their fault unless they make sure all their drivers are correct is, IMHO, likely to cause as many issues as it resolves....
To speak to the other part 'Noob VS tech and responsibility', take a step back.The OP states "Me and a friend are building a PC " - Not 'me and my friend are buying a Walmart PC', So just as much as if they said "Me and a friend are building a V8 Engine" - do you really think that warning them about over ratcheting the bolts is 'their fault' if they don't use a torque wrench properly is "scaring the OP" ????
The websites for years have worked hard to be as 'Noob' friendly as possible; and 80% of the time (both being the person doing it and being the person taking the 'phone call' about it) people make those mistakes NOT because it has different versions and OH it is all soo gobble-dee-goop; but because they were in a rush and did NOT read a thing they were doing, they just click click click that must be it OH CRAP!
The OP is self responsible for building the PC, and is also responsible for what drivers or LACK of drivers installed and WHY the computer 'doesn't work' as they expected.
Drivers are the key way NOT WINDOWS on making the hardware work AS advertised and promoted by the hardware maker, period.
rhysiam :
It just feels a little like you're scaring OP into making sure each and every driver on the system MUST be correct OR ELSE... when in reality, most of the time Windows (particularly Win10) will grab the right drivers and do the right thing.
Relying on Windows " to grab the right drivers and do the right thing " when Microsoft doesn't write the driver code to begin with, is BAD and woefully naive advice. Have you never heard of (and specifically Windows 10) the infamous bad Nvidia Drivers breaking systems even when manually replaced because "Windows will grab the right driver" as you claim???http://betanews.com/2015/07/26/windows-10s-automatic-updates-for-nvidia-drivers-could-break-your-computer/ and many cited in that same article from Forbes, etc. to corroborate the problem.
Microsoft doesn't manage Drivers, it takes submitted ones in from the makers. Hardware makers also don't follow the Microsoft 'plan' and often include code to enable specific 'differences' that highlight why to buy A maker's device instead of B, C,D .... makers versions. For example there is the infamous 'Microsoft keyboard driver' update that 'turned off' (actually removed the code) HP backlight keyboards on laptops, and disabled all the 'mulitmedia keys' (aka only way to turn ON / off volume, WIFI enabled or disabled, etc.). Because HP code for the 'keyboard driver' was specific to address the 'added' elements on the laptop like turning on the backlight (black etched letters on BLACK keys is very hard to read even in daylight! ARG!!) much less why 'Wifi isn't working' or "I don't hear anything" because those also are controlled 'by the keyboard'.
Again, prime example that IF the OP follows your advice, major functionality is 'broke'.
rhysiam :
For sure sometimes it won't work that way. My view on that however, is that a novice PC user is better off addressing issues as and when they arise, rather than proactively applying random drivers they don't fully understand to a computer which is actually functioning just fine.
Ostrich approaches to technology leaves you vulnerable to major issues as well as (most effectively) the additional needless costs to fix it. That is like telling people "a novice car owner user is better off addressing issues as and when they arise, rather than proactively applying random instructions in the driver manual they don't fully understand to a car which is actually driving on the highway just fine." So checking those tire pressures to avoid a blow out, making sure to check the transmission fluid regularly, checking the oil color and for deposits, etc. all should be 'ignored' because people don't "fully understand" how a car works and should just wait for a problem to 'arise'?
Car, airplane, computer, it all doesn't matter; the user and operator of any of them is responsible for maintaining them and knowing how to 'use them as intended'. The PC user wants to avoid 'blow outs', 'overheated engine', damage to the 'block' and so on for their PC, they need to do some basic things themselves, such as using utilities or tools and manually (at times) downloading from the makers of the computer (or in the OP case from all the Hardware makers he and his friend are buying from) the right and proper drivers. Running Windows Update MANUALLY to ensure ALL updates are installed. Running a proper Antivirus and a SEPARATE Malware scanner to avoid issues. Proper password creation rules. Using a Firewall enabled router or at the bare minimum when mobile, Microsoft's built in lame one. So on and so forth.
It isn't just power on the computer, click the mouse, and that is all your responsible for.
.) And a CPU (i7-4690k)
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