Install motherboard software – or not? – C’t

my PC I myself have assembled and hesitate now, if any, should I install Windows software from the driver DVD that came with your motherboard. What advises c’t?

Some motherboard utilities can cause problems, such as the AI ​​Suite from Asus.

We advise caution. The fewer programs you install, the lower the risk of security vulnerabilities and other problems. However, some motherboard function can only be used with the appropriate drivers or special Windows software. Therefore, a general answer is not possible.

In the c’t laboratory we do not just blindly install all drivers and programs from the supplied Drivers CD or DVD. We try rather which drivers Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 or bring automatically acquire via the Windows Update. This works only if the network adapter has been detected – if not, you have to install the driver from the DVD first. Displays the Device Manager then still unknown devices, we bring in the c’t laboratory the most fresh driver from the website of the hardware manufacturer – no way of dubious drivers collecting pages

Frequently needed are drivers for the chipset (Intel: .inf update), the integrated graphics, SATA AHCI controller (Intel RST driver) and the sound chip. In the graphics drivers usually infected also the sound driver for the HDMI or DisplayPort output. For Intel chipsets you need often the driver for the Management Engine (Intel ME), with Asus motherboards a virtual for a device that controls the power management (AMDA00 Interface).

More programs of this mainboard manufacturer, you should play wisely. Select only those whose function you understand. Some utilities are loaded at every system startup and increase the boot time. Some install constantly running Windows services or looking regularly on foreign servers for updates. Little is known about the safety of such functions. For similar considerations, we would have to miss out on free online storage on international servers and install any sync tools for it.

Some Utilities cause compatibility issues. So some owners complain of Asus motherboards that “AI Suite” some Logitech Webcams interfere. One component of the AI ​​Suite monitors namely USB ports to detect devices in which they unlock higher charging currents than 0.5 or 0.9A.

If you do not want to overclock, you do not need overclocking tools. Sometimes overclocking software displays but also fan speeds and voltages – in this hardware monitoring, you have to give then also. ( ciw@ct.de )

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