correct way to install graphics drivers

[almoststew1990]

Today I'm putting 12.11 on my 7870 and decided i might as well ask the stupid question of "What's the correct way to install GPU drivers?" Do you uninstall, restart, install? Maybe Add driver sweeper too? Just 'overwrite' the old driver without uninstalling anything? What about if you have settings and overclocks you want to keep?

 

[almoststew1990]

Especially now that there is AMD install manager too, which is a separate exe. Do I need to uninstall that too?

 

[dave_beast]

Just install it over the top imo.

 

[yashiro]

From a purely driver based perspective installing over the top should be fine. Problems that arise from this occur because of the other things bundled with driver sets like control panels and their dependencies.

Either install over the top every time and accept that at some point you will have to do a clean up if you have a problem.

Or, un-install the previous package before-hand and pray they have written their installers correctly.

 

[Sighn]

Same. I just install on top. Typically I close down Afterburner.

 

[wapcatlet]

I was absolutely convinced that AMD advised you to remove the existing drivers first but then I checked their installation notes for Windows 7 and there is no mention of it.
Looks like you can just install it over the top of the existing drivers:

http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/GraphicsDriverInstallationInstructionforMicrosoftWindows7.aspx

 

[TheRealDeal]

I always uninstall using the amd install manager and then install the new drivers. I have tried installing over the older drivers and ran into problems both times. I have not tried installing over the older drivers for over a year and all installs went well.

 

[Broken Hope]

For AMD I just use to install over the top, for Nvidia I just choose custom and tick the clean install box, not had issues with either way.

 

[C64]

I express uninstall everything reboot then run driver sweeper reboot then install new drivers done it this way for donkeys years

 

[dneill2006]

I express uninstall everything reboot then run driver sweeper reboot then install new drivers done it this way for donkeys years

+1

 

[Sephisto]

I express uninstall everything reboot then run driver sweeper reboot then install new drivers done it this way for donkeys years

That is EXACTLY how I do it too

 

[at3k-]

I used to install over and never had problems, but these days i uninstall and use driver sweeper just to be on the safe side

 

[dbmzk1]

Just install over the top. There has never been any need to uninstall drivers.

The only trouble you might have is with older versions of the Nvidia and ATI control panels, which is what you had to uninstall not the driver itself! They are ok these days though!

 

[Putty]

If it's a new card I generally uninstall and then use a driver cleaner in safe mode otherwise I just uninstall, reboot then install the new driver.

 

[Sighn]

^ Is exactly what I do: Driver Fusion only when changing to a different card.