Where to install drivers and how to use them?

[MattTheMayor]

This is my first ever build lol. please don't laf at m3 <3

 

Almost done building my PC. Just figuring out what to do after. So after I install my OS and everything, what should I do? I know to install the drivers, but where do I get them? Which one should I be more worried about (like motherboard, cpu, gpu and such)? And what do I do after I download it off the website?

[TheRetiredSlave]

The drivers for the motherboard's chipset and network controller should be included on a disk that came with the motherboard. Installing these (especially the network drivers) will allow you to access the internet from your new PC and download (potentially) newer drivers for everything.

[Pro_LiZzy]

This is my first ever build lol. please don't laf at m3 <3

 

Almost done building my PC. Just figuring out what to do after. So after I install my OS and everything, what should I do? I know to install the drivers, but where do I get them? Which one should I be more worried about (like motherboard, cpu, gpu and such)? And what do I do after I download it off the website?

Depends about your PC components.

[Opcode]

Primary would be sound, network, and video drivers. Both sound and network isn't really necessary if Windows supports them out of the box. Other than that the generic drivers Windows provides is perfectly fine for everything else. I would check your device manager and see if there is drivers missing for any devices foremost.

[WoodenMarker]

Download and install drivers from the respective websites of the components. 

 

The Guides and Tutorials section is for posting guides/tips and not asking for assistance--I'm moving the thread.

Please post in the correct sub-forum in the future. 

[LogicalDrm]

Install drivers to same drive with your OS. Most times they don't even ask for install folder. After they are installed, they work automaticly. You don't have to start them or something.

[typographie]

but where do I get them?

 

For your video card, either the Nvidia or AMD websites.

 

Your motherboard manufacturer usually has a website for your specific product, and all downloads related to that board are usually there. Note that there aren't "motherboard drivers," per se, but drivers for individual components on the board, such as LAN, audio, third-party USB controllers, etc. Things related to the basic functionality of your machine, such as your CPU/RAM/etc., are already recognized by Windows and don't require anything special.

 

If your PC has a third-party PCIe sound card, that will need specific drivers from Asus/Creative/whoever made it. If you're using your motherboard's onboard audio, that driver will be provided by the motherboard manufacturer.

 

Mice and keyboards usually function using basic drivers auto-detected by Windows, but if you want to use special buttons and other features you'll usually need a proper driver for them as well.

 

Note that your stuff undoubtedly came with driver CDs, but the versions will only be as recent as the discs themselves. It's always better to download the most recent drivers.

[asim1999]

For motherboard: Driver CD or their website

GPU: AMD/Nvidia's website

[Sandvich]

well all the drivers should be included in the parts unless you bought it used.