New Unbuilt PC - Driver Install Confusion

[hellomaster]

I will be building a new PC very soon. I am just waiting for the parts to arrive. I plan to use Windows 7 64-bit. My PC build will be:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 Rev2
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K
SSD: Patriot PPSE120GS25SSDR
Video Card: ASUS ENGTX560
...along with RAM, tower, etc.

My questions are:
1. The Gigabyte site has SATA/RAID drivers to download. I have no plans to use RAID. Do I need these drivers?
2. The Gigabyte site has the Intel VGA drivers for download. The Intel site has the same drivers, but a newer version. Is it safe to install the drivers from the Intel site, instead of the drivers from the Gigabyte site? I am guessing that Gigabyte did not have the newest drivers because they were not fully compatible with the motherboard??
3. Do I need the Intel VGA drivers at all if I have a dedicated video card? I will install the video card drivers of course, but I do not know if I need to install the Intel VGA drivers as well.
4. The Gigabyte site has the audio drivers to download. The NVIDIA video card drivers file has an "HDAUDIO" folder, which I assume are audio drivers. Which drivers do I install?
5. For the video card, is it recommended to do a manual driver install (through device manager and selecting the unknown device), or should I install the drivers straight from the install file?

 

[Chaz21]

I will be building a new PC very soon. I am just waiting for the parts to arrive. I plan to use Windows 7 64-bit. My PC build will be:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 Rev2
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K
SSD: Patriot PPSE120GS25SSDR
Video Card: ASUS ENGTX560
...along with RAM, tower, etc.

My questions are:
1. The Gigabyte site has SATA/RAID drivers to download. I have no plans to use RAID. Do I need these drivers?
2. The Gigabyte site has the Intel VGA drivers for download. The Intel site has the same drivers, but a newer version. Is it safe to install the drivers from the Intel site, instead of the drivers from the Gigabyte site? I am guessing that Gigabyte did not have the newest drivers because they were not fully compatible with the motherboard??
3. Do I need the Intel VGA drivers at all if I have a dedicated video card? I will install the video card drivers of course, but I do not know if I need to install the Intel VGA drivers as well.
4. The Gigabyte site has the audio drivers to download. The NVIDIA video card drivers file has an "HDAUDIO" folder, which I assume are audio drivers. Which drivers do I install?
5. For the video card, is it recommended to do a manual driver install (through device manager and selecting the unknown device), or should I install the drivers straight from the install file?

1.Yes. You'll need the SATA drivers.
2.Yes and maybe. If they really are the same only a newer version go with Intel. If the drivers are not really the same but something that Gigabyte designed specifically for that Mobo then stick with theirs. A Gigabyte forum search should give you the answer.
3.Yes. They work with the CPU.
4. See #2
5. Follow the card Mfg's recommendation.
Good luck with your new build.

 

[hellomaster]

1. I forgot to mention that I will install the drivers from the SSD's site. I still need to install the RAID/SATA drivers from the motherboard site too?

 

[Chaz21]

1. I forgot to mention that I will install the drivers from the SSD's site. I still need to install the RAID/SATA drivers from the motherboard site too?

Yes. Patriot's drivers are for that specific SSD or SSD class. The Mfg's drivers are for how the MOBO uses the SSD.

 

[hellomaster]

Great. Just one quick question.

When I install the Intel VGA drivers and the NVIDIA video card drivers, these two can co-exist and will not conflict with each other. Is this correct?

 

[Chaz21]

Great. Just one quick question.

When I install the Intel VGA drivers and the NVIDIA video card drivers, these two can co-exist and will not conflict with each other. Is this correct?

They shouldn't no. As I stated Intel's drivers are designed for the CPU. NVidias' are designed for the GPU. Good luck with your build.

 

[hellomaster]

Awesome. OK I got one more quick question.

Do I need to load any drivers before doing a fresh install of Windows? During Windows Setup, there is a "load driver" option.

I watched a NewEgg video on building your own PC's on youtube, and the guy completely skipped this option. He was installing Windows 7 on a SSD. He installed all the drivers after Windows was installed, such as the chipset drivers, etc.

 

[Chaz21]

He installed all the drivers after Windows was installed, such as the chipset drivers, etc.

Yes that's the way most do it.

 

[hellomaster]

Awesome. Thanks for your help

 

[Chaz21]

Awesome. Thanks for your help

Best of luck with your build!