Hey everyone I'm new to the forum so I apologize if this has been answered before. I tried searching around without much luck.

Anyway, I'm getting a new computer tomorrow with the following MB & CPU;

ASUS P5E, X38, Socket 775
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz

Right now I'm doing some last minute backup from my old computer as well as downloading new drivers and programs for the new one. While doing so I stumbled upon some updates from MS that's dated a year back;

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896256 and http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936357

I'm going to use Windows XP Home with SP3 installed and I'm not sure if I need these updates. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

100% agreed
One thing more
Download latest Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility from Intel Site cause this is the first thing you need to install after installing OS
Download latest drivers of your Graphic Card , Sound Card , Ethernet Card , Latest Bios for your mobo ( But do not Flash Bios unless you have a problem )...........etc. And keep them on a CD , You'll have a handy CD with latest drivers ready for installation as soon as your system is ready to go

100% Agree x 3, use automatic updates for you. I also have a question if you use XP with SP3 why you still thinking to manually install the old updates? The SP3 already included all the updates after the SP2 and is automatically install the suitable / right update for you.