New
#1701
WHQL can be a slow, plodding, forever process...but eventually most of them make it out.
I downloaded 8004 from the Realtek website...
love the sound of this latest update. Quite crisp and all of the instruments are very clear and well defined when I play music through my speakers.
In this case, the MS driver isn't actually by MS, it is in fact the Realtek driver provided to MS for the update delivery systems. It does include Realtek's app and full functionality, e.g. So "MS driver" is just referring to the same Realtek driver via an MS site here.
There is actually a generic HDA driver by MS in Windows, but it's not used unless the Realtek chipset isn't supported anymore or is forced installed by the user. That definitely has the limited functionality.
And of course if really want max functionality (and maybe performance?), some may prefer the driver provided by their motherboard maker. But then that driver usually gets very few updates (which may be a good or bad thing!).
Cheers :)
I think you're thinking of the Microsoft generic drivers that come in the Windows OS. Hardware specific drivers are always preferred to the MS generics. As for drivers from the h/w vendors there can be lag between the time they;re available from MS (if available at all) vs. when available from the vendor.
It's the MS generics that only provide basic functionality as they're not tailored to all capabilities that may be provided by a vendor chip
Yes, I was referring to Microsoft generic drivers that almost always have basic functionality. This is evident when installing a printer for example. With the Microsoft generic drivers for the printer model family you can print, select among the common paper sizes and it has draft, normal, best. Nothing more. With the OEM drivers you can select the type of paper (plain, inkjet, photo and many subcategories between), you can adjust the print and color quality, you can add a watermark or cover page, there are tons of other features not present in the generic drivers. The same is the case with any other device or peripheral drivers. That's why I always prefer to download the latest driver directly from manufacturer's site than trust Windows Update or auto tools like Snappy drivers and Driver Pack. To make sure I have the latest official, not generic driver and that I select all options (custom installation, when applicable), not half of them (typical installation when applicable).
Some time ago MS released very basic drivers, mostly without settings apps. Some where universal, like "Universal printer driver" or "Microsoft basic display adapter", those were pure MS drivers but even those I can't imagine without some manufacturer's input.
Anyway. I downloaded 2.80 from Realtek and it doesn't recognize my Realtec CODEC chip (Alc889) and wouldn't install it. 8004 from MS installed and running without any perceptible changes over 7xxx.
Yes, the Microsoft driver is the last resort if anything else (OEM drivers and auto tool) fails. Not my first choice.
I used the 8004 version downloaded directly from Realtek and they work good.
I can also confirm that they have fixed the issue some of us were having where the control
panel would not save custom settings, like loudness equalization, through a reboot.
Everything stays set just fine now when you reboot.
Peace
Wanna