Update Chip-set Drivers or leave as is?

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  1. Posts : 75
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit and Windows 7 pro 64
       #1

    Update Chip-set Drivers or leave as is?


    When I did a Windows 10 clean install on my Intel based system some months ago, Windows found and installed drivers for most everything including the P55 chipset. The system is working well but I got curious to see if Intel had any better drivers available then what was installed with the OS. I downloaded and installed the Intel Driver Update Utility and the picture below shows that it found a later version of the Intel chipset driver.
    I’m looking for a recommendation as to whether it would be better to stay with my existing driver or to install the one recommended by Intel. One concern I have is that all recommendations are to install chipset drivers before installing other drivers. It’s a little late for that now so I don’t really understand the impact of updating the chipset drivers after all other drivers and apps have been installed.
    So the question is: To update the chipset drivers or not to update the chipset drivers?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Update Chip-set Drivers or leave as is?-driverupdate.png  
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  2. Posts : 1,092
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #2

    I wouldn't update just to update myself, if the system is running good, I'd just leave the driver windows installed there.

    About installing chipset drivers first, that is the recommended method, I've installed them after a few other drivers with no ill effects,

    Usually you want to do that, because often times the chipset will unlock or allow other items to be recognized, like maybe a network adapter or something that isn't showing up right away you need to install a driver for.

    I'm sure you'll get other opinions, but if it ain't broke and ain't adding something you need you don't need to update a driver just because a newer one is out there.
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  3. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #3

    I recommend uninstalling the Intel Driver Update Utility.
    It has given me many false positives, and has even offered older drivers, as newer.

    As to updating drivers, I agree with Derek.

    Some driver updates are only for another PC model or newer piece of hardware, but, almost always, no changes for your hardware.
    The only driver updates to worry about are the ones for your video card/integrated graphics, and then only if you are either a gamer or heavy graphics program user.

    You might need to update if a driver becomes corrupted though.

    Updating drivers now, with Microsoft tightening the certificate screws, can even cause problems(i.e. BSODs), unless Secure Boot is turned off in BIOS, hence reducing Windows 10's kernel level(at boot) security.

    If you must update a driver, make sure it is WHQL certified.


    A bit more info to expand on the above:

    Boot Sequence


    • After the PC is turned on, the signature databases are each checked against the platform key.
    • If the firmware is not trusted, the UEFI firmware must initiate OEM-specific recovery to restore trusted firmware.
    • If there is a problem with Windows Boot Manager, the firmware will attempt to boot a backup copy of Windows Boot Manager. If this also fails, the firmware must initiate OEM-specific remediation.
    • After Windows Boot Manager has started running, if there is a problem with the drivers or NTOS kernel, Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) is loaded so that these drivers or the kernel image can be recovered.
    • Windows loads antimalware software.
    • Windows loads other kernel drivers and initializes the user mode processes.

    Secure Boot Overview
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  4. Posts : 75
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit and Windows 7 pro 64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks derekimo and Cliff for your responses. I will follow your guidance and leave things as they are. Thanks again for the help!
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  5. Posts : 27,162
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #5

    You're welcome tweakit:)

    Just for the record, I have wasted many hours, trying to get all the latest drivers for my system(on Vista & Windows 7) expecting a performance boost, to absolutely no avail

    Now if I need a driver, I first try updating using Device Manager, if that doesn't work, I go to the manufacturers site.
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  6. Posts : 7,254
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
       #6

    Personally always get the most up to date motherboard drivers from Intel. They should have the latest security and performance fixes.
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  7. Posts : 75
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit and Windows 7 pro 64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Update: I have another computer also running windows 10 that I pretty much use for high risk experiments. The hardware is older and very different with a core2 duo and 965 chipset. I installed and ran the Intel DUU with the same exact result as is seen in my opening post. I asked it to install the new chipset inf files and the process failed with an unknown error and then seemed to back out any progress. No changes were made and for now, no harm done. This is the latest Intel DUU and was released in August. Just thought I'd let those know who may be following this post.
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  8. Posts : 5,478
    2004
       #8

    The intel chipset drivers do nothing. They are only .INF files and the only result of installing them is to change the description of things in device manager. You'll not damage anything by installing them but won't gain anything either.

    Intel-Chipset-Device-quote-Drivers-quote-INF files

    It even says so on the Intel website:
    In the case of the current Intel Chipset Device Software, that information is primarily the product name for the piece of hardware. This allows*the operating system to show the correct name for that piece of hardware in Device Manager.
    Download Intel® Chipset Device Software (INF Update Utility)

    To answer your original question therefore - I'd say don't bother.
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  9. Posts : 7,606
    Windows 10 Home 20H2
       #9

    Two days ago, I clean-installed 1607 and did not install any drivers including the one above.
    Until now, my computer has been working properly.
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  10. Posts : 2,324
    Win10
       #10

    Matthew Wai said:
    Two days ago, I clean-installed 1607 and did not install any drivers including the one above.
    Until now, my computer has been working properly.
    I did the same on the weekend after issues with .222 , Windows Update tried several times to install the Chipset Drivers and failed , so I used the latest Chipset Driver available on my Motherboard Manufacturer's website , since they released a newer version when AU came out , it installed fine.

    lx07 is correct however, Chipset "Drivers" are not really drivers , in a lot of cases all they do is tell Win10 that "No driver is needed for this device" and remove the yellow ! in device Manager.

    I also have found Intel's Utility to install incorrect or Older Versions of all sorts of Drivers , so I always go direct to MB Makers Website 1st.

    More info here to at WinRaid

    Other Drivers (= INF files)


    KB
      My Computers


 

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