3 replies to this topic

[Nagisan]

Simply put, is it better to use the drivers listed on my motherboard manufacturers website, or the ones of the device itself? For LAN as an example, should I get "Realtek LAN Driver 7.049.0927.2011" from Gigabytes website, or should I go with "Win7 Driver 7.053" from Realtek's website for my device (device ID 8168)?

I'm guessing motherboard manufacturer will generally be more reliable as it is tested and approved by the motherboard manufacturer, but I don't want to miss out on any possible improvements from the newer 7.053 from Realtek (assuming there are improvements for my specific device) unless there is good reason to (such as motherboard manufacturer drivers being more appropriate for my device).

[alwaysonacoffebreak]

Always from the device website. Motherboard manufacturers don't always update the drivers as soon as they come out. (Some might be even years behind the real ones)

[TheDisneyMagic]

I always use the ones from the component website, the only thing you can sometimes have issues with is graphics cards not being fully optimized but this is getting much better.

[Nagisan]

alwaysonacoffebreak, on 08 May 2012 - 16:39, said:

Always from the device website. Motherboard manufacturers don't always update the drivers as soon as they come out. (Some might be even years behind the real ones)

So motherboard manufacturer drivers are nothing more than "That's the last time we tested the latest driver for that device."?

Thanks, will start looking up the rest of my motherboard hardware then and replacing the appropriate drivers.

Makes sense, just wanted to be sure...if you look at the version I listed above from my motherboard manufacturer: 7.049.0927.2011 that last two groups of numbers are 0927.2011 or, 09/27/2011, yet the date Gigabyte shows it as being posted is 03/21/2012.....so roughly 6 months behind.