Windows 7 - Whats the difference between intel inf (chipset) drivers?

On intel drivers pour chipsets you can notice that there are two chipset drivers. 9.2.3.1017 and 9.2.0.1031. Both are recent and seem to be different branches, like apache and apache2. Can anyone confirm or deny this and tell me what the difference is? My motherboard maker (msi) recommends 9.2.0.1030 for my z68 gd mobo. Im currently running 9.2.0.1031 without hitches. But the 9.2.3.1017 are whql. Whats the difference between these branches?

Hello Conditioned,

It's just that the 9.2.3.1017 WHQL version is the latest version released for those chipsets. The motherboard manufacturer driver download sites are usually way behind the latest version.



New Features, Fixes & Changes
Features Added - 9.2.3.1017 – 06/17/2011
Description
1. Updated Name String on 1D3E
2. Added HECI INF

Features Added WHQL- 9.2.3.1016 – 04/22/2011
Description
WHQLed to 1.6

Features Added in Beta 9.2.3.1015 – 04/07/2011
Description
1. Jaketown name changes
2. Updated Installer with Klockwork scan fixes 1.1.42
3. Updated Official Branding For Patsburg
4. Moved to Installer Label 1.1.36
a. Updated extractdriver function
b. Creates MUP.xml (packageversion not correct)

Features Added in Alpha 9.2.3.1010 – 02/28/2011
Description
Added support for Waimea Bay platform

Features Added in Alpha 9.2.3.1010 – 01/14/2011
ID Description
1 Removed Commented SMB from PatCore
2 Fixed spelling of Controller in AHCI and IDE inf files

Features Added in Alpha 9.2.3.1009
1 Added 1D41 LPC device

Features Added in Alpha 9.2.3.1008
1 Changed ® to (R)
2 3C00 changed to No_Drv for the “A” stepping in order for a BOSD not to
occur
3 Removed 3C60 and 3C61
4 Added 1D76 and 1D77
5 Added Audio INF (1D20)

Features Added in Alpha 9.2.3.1004
1 Removed commented out Devices from JakeTown.Inf
2 Changed Installer Version to 1.1.32 (Fixes –overall switch and 2nd install of
filtered INF files)

Features Added in Alpha 9.2.3.1003
ID Description
1 JakeTown.inf: commented out PCI devices 3C00-3C0F
2 Changed 3C88 to 3C90
3 Added 3C44 QPI Link
Added 3CE4 R2 PCIe

Features Added in Alpha 9.2.2.1002
Commented out 3C02 from jaketown.inf

Features Added in Alpha 9.2.2.1001
Added JakeTown.inf
Updated all Patsburg related INF

Software Sightings and/or Known Issues
ID Information
1 After version 9.2.3.1004 B0 must be used (jaketown B0 should be used with
Patsburg B0)

Those Intel Inf are made for the constant renew of the computers platforms and are forced to be updated. It does only update the Inf infos files for newer systems...if you own a machine a year old you will not get any improvement at all, unless you have other related material working along with Intel drivers. So, you can say you're up to date with your drivers.