Keeping my drivers up to date on windows 11

[Babysnakes]

Hi all,

 

After 2x years of running Linux/Macs (where driver updates are part of the system) I moved to windows. At first it was with laptops, so they have their own dedicated tools. Now I actually built a PC and I'm wondering how to keep my drivers up to date. The main devices I'm talking about are:

• Nvidia 3080 TI
• Asus TUF Gaming z790 motherboard

One option is to go to their respective websites and manually download and install the driver updates. This seems too much work and I'm hoping to avoid that. Another option would be to install applications to manage updates (more on that later), and last - maybe windows check for driver updates automatically? (Since I've only been running this PC for a month, I don't have a lot of experience with it).

 

Regarding applications to keep driver updates:

• Nvidia - I know there's GeForce Experience. Is it the only option? Does it take a lot of resources constantly running? (I know it also have a lot of benefits like games specific drivers, etc).
• Asus Motherboard - This has been a source for a lot of troubles. I've installed Armoury Crate and it's full of bloat and constantly causing me troubles (e.g. high CPU usage until I restart). Is there another option for keeping the drivers updated? I saw there's an Intel drivers update tool. Since almost all of the drivers for the motherboard are Intel (except the audio), can I use that? Is it any better?

Thanks for your help.

 

Haim

[CommanderAlex]

20 minutes ago, Babysnakes said:

One option is to go to their respective websites and manually download and install the driver updates. This seems too much work and I'm hoping to avoid that.

And that option, you'll never have to do again except for graphics card driver updates, the rest of the system you hardly ever have to update drivers for.

 

20 minutes ago, Babysnakes said:

Another option would be to install applications to manage updates (more on that later), and last - maybe windows check for driver updates automatically? (Since I've only been running this PC for a month, I don't have a lot of experience with it).

These hardly work and their more bloatware than anything, sometimes even install the wrong drivers. Driver installations are pretty easy to do. When you unzip the file, usually (<- most of the time) they have a readme that explains how to install drivers. 

 

20 minutes ago, Babysnakes said:

Nvidia - I know there's GeForce Experience. Is it the only option? Does it take a lot of resources constantly running? (I know it also have a lot of benefits like games specific drivers, etc).

It's pretty lightweight and will let you know when there is an update, but best to wait a couple days/a week just to ensure the new driver doesn't brick something. 

 

20 minutes ago, Babysnakes said:

Asus Motherboard - This has been a source for a lot of troubles. I've installed Armoury Crate and it's full of bloat and constantly causing me troubles (e.g. high CPU usage until I restart). Is there another option for keeping the drivers updated? I saw there's an Intel drivers update tool. Since almost all of the drivers for the motherboard are Intel (except the audio), can I use that? Is it any better?

Don't even bother with armoury crate, unless you need RGB control or use a third-party freeware software for that (I can't recommend any as I don't bother with the RGB inside my case cause I can't see it due to the D15 and graphics card). As I previously stated above, you hardly ever have to update audio/chipset/network drivers. 

 

Bewarned though that motherboards containing Intel's I226V 2.5Gb Ethernet chip have disconnect issues and are found on Z790 motherboards. 

 

 

[191x7]

Update the bios, the gpu drivers and the chipset drivers manually.

For the rest, use Driver Booster. Works fine.

[Babysnakes]

For now, I removed Armoury Crate and installed GeForce Experience. I'll try to occasionally check the Asus site for updates and see how it goes.

 

Thanks All.

[GoodBytes]

On 1/31/2023 at 4:25 PM, Babysnakes said:

For now, I removed Armoury Crate and installed GeForce Experience. I'll try to occasionally check the Asus site for updates and see how it goes.

 

Thanks All.

Be sure to Disable ArmoryCrate in the UEFI as well. If not, you'll get annoying popups under Windows to install it. Wonderful, I know...