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Older MB - WinXP-SP2 Built-in Drivers or Vendor Drivers?

W

wlee

Senior member
I was just recently given an older motherboard and CPU. It's a Gigabyte GA-7VT600L. I've just built it up with 1.5GB Ram, a 200GB Maxtor HD and a GeForce FX5200. All the hardware was auto recognized by WinXP-SP2 except the Realtek Audio, so I added that driver. I'm doing this as a charity case machine for a friends kid, so I want it to be as rock stable as possible ( don't want to be over there trouble-shooting 3 times a week 🙂 ) Which drivers would be best to use ? The built in WinXP ones or those on the Vendors site ? I haven't kept current on AMD stuff, I stopped using AMD/VIA stuff after the K6. That stuff was troublesome.
 
In my experience, you'll be far better off going with the Manufacturer's drivers instead of Windows'.
 
Typically the mfg'r has drivers that offer better performance than the stock windows ones. Usually because it seems to take MS forever to certify drivers (or else the other mfg'rs don't want to go through the hassle and bother to submit them). But MS certified drivers are normally rock solid for stablity.

If if were me, I would stay with the MS drivers, except for the video card, where I'ld install nvidia's lastest for that series.
 
OK, thanks for the input. I think I'm most concerned about installing the VIA "4in1" chipset drivers or not. I remem a lot of trouble with that on the K6 class machines. I'll prob install the latest WHQL Nvidia Drivers for sure.
 
The VIA site (www.viarena.com - I think, it's been a while) recommends an older 4in1 driver set fot thier older chipsets - 4.38? for 266 - and the new ones for newer chipsets. Install them - everything will run better. I've never had a problem with them - my old Epox HKA+ is still running strong after all these years.
 
I am using an old Intel 810e motherboard for one of my PCs and the drivers installed are the default ones from MS. I have the original Intel drivers available but haven't used them. It's best to stick with MS drivers to minimize chances of any hardware conflict.... A rock-solid system is your goal, after all....

 
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