What Drivers Do I really need after upgrade to Windows 8.1

[IAHawk]

Hi
I just upgraded to Windows 8.1 64 Bit and wan to make sure all my driver are up to date. I have an
Asus P9X79 Deluxe Motherboard
Intel i7-3930K Processor
16GB of RAM

What I basically trying to do is make sure my SATA transfer speed is at the highest possible rate, and my USB 3.0 is working. I tried to use my ASUS Motherboard CD and it will not work and tried to install the driver for the USB 3.0 but get an error message "Does Not Support Operating System WNT_6.2P_64". So I went to the ASUS site to see if there are upgrades assuming ASUS has updated the drivers for Windows 8.1.

There is a lot of new upgrades but do I need them all and what do some of them do, I do not think I need all of them.

So could someone please tell me what these do and do I need them and please in laymans terms.

Here is a link to the web site

Motherboards - P9X79 DELUXE - ASUS

Chipset:
Intel Management Engine Interface V9.5.15.1730 for Windows 32/64bit 7 & 32/64bit 8 & 32/64bit 8.1.(WHQL)

Intel Chipset Driver V9.4.0.1026 for Windows Win8.1 32bit & Win8.1 64bit---(WHQL).

LAN:
Intel LAN Driver V18.5.54.0 for Windows Win8.1 32bit & Win8.1 64bit---(WHQL).

Realtek LAN Driver V8.19.726.2013 for Windows Win8.1 32bit & Win8.1 64bit---(WHQL).

Utilities:
Marvell MSU Utility V4.1.0.2013 for Windows 8/8.1 32bit & 64bit.

AI_SuiteII ASUS Update V2.00.12 for Windows 8.1 32bit & 64bit.

ASUS USB 3.0 Boost V1.05.15for Windows 8.1 32bit & 64bit.

SATA:
Marvell Driver V1.2.0.1039 for Windows 8.1 32bit & 64bit.(WHQL)

Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver software V12.80.1016 for Windows 8.1 32/64bit .(WHQL)

Also do I need this if I have a sound card?
Realtek Audio Driver V6.0.1.7023 for Windows Win8.1 32bit & Win8.1 64bit.(WHQL)

I know it is a lot to ask but thank you for the help.

P.S. I do not want to install a RAID configuration.

Thanks again

 

[RolandJS]

Is everything working aok? If not, what components or software modules are less than ideal? Wiser techs than I will ask more questions.

 

[Clintlgm]

you might no plan on running a raid but the IRST driver also work very well for SSD's . Windows 8 and up have built in usb 3.0 drivers they work very well Asus uses Intel chip, Intel has not written a 8 driver. I wouldn't use the Asus update can cause problems. Chipset drivers can help. Not sure on the Marvell I have Marvel SATA 3 ports you should have onboard SATA 3 port, not sure about the 3.0 Boost that just sounds like trouble. Your LAN should be either Intel or RealTec unless you have a extra LAN Card . I use the AI Suite on my P7P board but that's a take it or leave it.

 

[IAHawk]

Got it thank you for the help!

 

[TechnoMage]

I've updated several PC's now, to Windows 8.1 from XP, Vista and W7, and I've been blown away by how 8.1 is able to install all the correct drivers for all the main hardware (video, LAN, Sound, keyboard w/touch pad, mouse, etc.)
So far I've not had to track down and install even ONE driver. Windows 8.1 has even found and installed compatible drivers for my Epson printer(s), if the printer is turned ON during the 8.1 install.

In spite of the Metro thing, which I can't stand, (so I use the Classic Shell) Windows 8.1 is turning out to be a pretty GOOD OS.

The oldest PC I've installed 8.1 on, is now ten years old. It's my main PC that I built in 2005.

In case there might be problems installing 8.1 on any PC, I always back up the old OS before I start the upgrade to 8.1.
Be safe....not sorry!

Cheers mates!

 

[Mark Phelps]

My experience has been different -- as I recently did a clean install of Win8.1 64-bit. And while Windows did find and install drivers for all my hardware, in the case of printer and audio, they were only basic drivers.

I ended up installing the following drivers manually to get full functionality of the devices:
1) Epson Artisan 730
2) HP Officejet Pro 8500
3) RealTek HD Audio

In each case, the manufacturer's drivers added features not available in the default drivers.

 

[CountMike]

Graphics and audio drivers coming straight from MS are notoriously basic drivers only. That's how MS gets them from MFGs. They are the largest ones mostly because full drivers come with programs and their control panels and are usually many MBs and including them in Widows installation files would make Windows humungous. It's best to replace them immediately if you want to use their full power. Installing Intel IRST or AMD AHCI drivers from their MFGs can also help a lot.