New build, driver advice please.

chief barker · 23 Jan 2010 at 10:06

My parts are arriving on monday but I need some advice on which drivers I need after it's been built. The specs are,

Asus P6TD Deluxe
Asus Hd 5970
Asus Xonar Essense STX sound card

I will be installing Win 7 64 bit.

I have looked at the Asus website for drivers but i'm totally at a loss as to which drivers I need to install. I have downloaded the sound card drivers already.

Should I wait for the new Catalyst drivers to be released or install the 9.12 + the hotfix?

Can somebody state which ones I need to download, I will not be using RAID.

Does Windows 7 come with the chipset drivers?

Many thanks.

ejr22 · 23 Jan 2010 at 10:42

Windows 7 comes with all the necessary chipset drivers so no worries there.

However, one thing you might want to do is download the latest version of the mobo's BIOS from the ASUS website and flash to that (if it isn't already running the latest version). Other than that just stick the Windows 7 disk in, install and enjoy!

Can't advise on the ATI side of things, you might be better off asking in the Graphics Card forum?

chief barker · 23 Jan 2010 at 10:57

Thanks mate, Is it absolutely necessary to flash the BIOS as i've never done it before. Is it ok to update it through windows?

The sound card is PCI express, I have read that it can go in one of the graphics card slots or should I just put it in the normal PCI-E slot?

Sorry for all the questions, as you can tell i'm still learning

ejr22 · 23 Jan 2010 at 11:08

No it is not necessary. There is probably an ASUS app that will be able to do it through Windows although it is advisable to do it directly through the BIOS - the reason being that there are less things to interrupt the process there i.e. no anti-virus or other programs that could potentially cause it to fail. Like I said though - not at all essential, so if you are not comfortable don't do it. It may transpire that it is already running the latest BIOS, or at least one that is perfectly good for your needs.

Refer to your mobo's manual for optimum placement of the sound card. If it has a PCI-e interface though it should function in any of the PCI-e lanes.

chief barker · 23 Jan 2010 at 11:13

Brilliant stuff thanks.

I may need to call on your help next weekend when I start the build, I have to work all week :mad:

Just one more question If I may, I was thinking of getting the NZXT sentry LX fan controller would it fit in the Coolermaster cosmos case as it has a door on the front? How easy are they to install?.

ejr22 · 23 Jan 2010 at 11:48

I don't know sorry.