Solved Should I trust Intel's Driver Update utility or Windows Update?

RoloDman

RoloDman

HWIC
Windows Update is not telling me I need or can update my Wireless networking, but Intel's Update Driver Utility says I should and is offering the update. How would you recommend I proceed? :geek:
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sager NP2096
OS
7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz (lower wattage chip)
Motherboard
JHL 90 (U2E1)
Memory
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR 2 @ 398MHz (5-5-5-18)
Graphics Card(s)
512MB GeForce 9600M GT
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Realtek High Definition Audio
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Generic PnP Monitor
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1680x1050
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Hitachi 244GB @ 7200rpm (IDE)
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nature
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generic
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Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500
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30 megabits down, 5 megabits up
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1.)Staples 4-Port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub
2.)WNDR3700 - NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router
3.)Logitech Webcam C250
4.)Logitech M570
G'day Rolo,

The difference between the two drivers is that the Windows one is digital signed/tested by Microsoft. I would say that unless the Intel one delivers more benefit than the Windows one, and everything works as expected, then there is no need to update.

You often see this with graphics card drivers too, for example.

Regards,
Golden
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Golden Mk. I.4
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
CPU
Intel i7 860 @ 2.80 GHz O/C'ed to 4.0GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte P55A-UD3R Rev.1. Award BIOS F13
Memory
16GB Corsair Vengance DDR3 @ 661 MHz Dual Channel (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA NVidia GTX 560 1024MB
Sound Card
Realtek Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual Samsung SyncMaster 2494HS
Screen Resolution
1920*1080 and 1920*1080
Hard Drives
1*Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD;
1*OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SSD;
2*Samsung F3 SpinPoint 1TB in RAID0;
1*Samsung F1 SpinPoint 1TB;
2*Western Digital 1TB External USB 3.0
1*Western Digital 500GB External USB 3.0
1*Seagate 500GB External USB 2.0
PSU
Thermaltake ToughPower QFan 750W
Case
Thermaltake Element S VK60001W2Z
Cooling
Corsair H60 Water Cooling, 2*230mm and 2*80mm case fans
Keyboard
Logitech G110
Mouse
Logitech MX518
Golden said:
G'day Rolo,

The difference between the two drivers is that the Windows one is digital signed/tested by Microsoft. I would say that unless the Intel one delivers more benefit than the Windows one, and everything works as expected, then there is no need to update.

You often see this with graphics card drivers too, for example.

Regards,
Golden
Click to expand...


I'll wait then :), thanks a bunch

p.s. Are you telling me that Windows Update will release signed Nvidia drivers from time to time? I never knew that cause I always get my drivers from Nvidia website.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Sager NP2096
OS
7 Ultimate 64 bit Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo P9500 @ 2.53GHz (lower wattage chip)
Motherboard
JHL 90 (U2E1)
Memory
4.0GB Dual-Channel DDR 2 @ 398MHz (5-5-5-18)
Graphics Card(s)
512MB GeForce 9600M GT
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor
Screen Resolution
1680x1050
Hard Drives
Hitachi 244GB @ 7200rpm (IDE)
Cooling
nature
Keyboard
generic
Mouse
Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500
Internet Speed
30 megabits down, 5 megabits up
Other Info
1.)Staples 4-Port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub
2.)WNDR3700 - NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router
3.)Logitech Webcam C250
4.)Logitech M570
In my opinion, it's best to get drivers from the manufacturer's website, not from windows update.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom build
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
CPU
i7 950 4ghz
Motherboard
EVGA x58 FTW3
Memory
6GB G.Skill pc12800
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 580 SC
Sound Card
Xfi Titanium
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 24"
Screen Resolution
1920x1200
Hard Drives
Vertex 3 SSD 120Gb x2 RAID 0
4 x 1TB WD Black RAID 0
PSU
Thermaltake 850
Case
Mountain Mods U2-UFO Horizon
Cooling
Custom watercooling
Internet Speed
100 down 5 up
I was just offered a Windows update for an Intel driver a few days ago. It's the first time I've seen that but I do the driver updates directly from Intel. I usually check weekly. I checked and the update from MS was older than what I have. I didn't install it.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Built 2/11/2011
OS
Windows 7 Pro-x64
CPU
i7-2600 3.4GHz - 3.8GHz Turbo
Motherboard
Intel DH67BL-B3
Memory
8Gb - 2x4GB, Muskin 991770 PC3-1333
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated Intel HD 2000
Sound Card
Integrated Intel 10.1 HD, RealTek ALC892
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus LCD VH222H, Haier HL24XSL2a
Screen Resolution
1920x1080, 1920x1080
Hard Drives
Crucial SSD C300-128Gb,
Western Digital WD5002AALX - 500Gb,
Western Digital WD7501AALS - 750Gb
PSU
Seasonic 650W 80+ Gold Modular
Case
Rosewill Defender
Cooling
Stock CPU, Four 120mm case fans, PCH fan added
Keyboard
Logitech EX100 Y-RBH94 Wireless
Mouse
Logitech EX100 M-RCE95 Wireless
Internet Speed
3.0/1.5 Mbs
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11
Other Info
Antec Veris Premier-Multimedia IR Station,
Cyber Accoustics-3602 Speakers,
AFT XM-5U Card Reader,
Hauppauge TV-HVR-2250,
Sony LX300 USB Turntable
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I never update device drivers unless I have a problem. Very often the fixes are for some exotic feature that none of us is using and you always have the risk of creating new problems. Programming is an art, not a science.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
RoloDman said:
p.s. Are you telling me that Windows Update will release signed Nvidia drivers from time to time? I never knew that cause I always get my drivers from Nvidia website.
Click to expand...

Correct - they do. If you ever uninstall your Nvidia card and then, boot Windows, initially it will just use one of its own drivers, but eventually Windows Update will deliver an Nvidia driver that has been certified by Microsoft. Of course, it will be a few versions older than what is currently available directly from Nvidia.

I suscribe to Wolfgangs theory about if its not broken don't fix it - I notice very little difference between versions.

Regards,
Golden
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Golden Mk. I.4
OS
Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
CPU
Intel i7 860 @ 2.80 GHz O/C'ed to 4.0GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte P55A-UD3R Rev.1. Award BIOS F13
Memory
16GB Corsair Vengance DDR3 @ 661 MHz Dual Channel (9-9-9-24)
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA NVidia GTX 560 1024MB
Sound Card
Realtek Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
Dual Samsung SyncMaster 2494HS
Screen Resolution
1920*1080 and 1920*1080
Hard Drives
1*Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD;
1*OCZ Vertex 2 60GB SSD;
2*Samsung F3 SpinPoint 1TB in RAID0;
1*Samsung F1 SpinPoint 1TB;
2*Western Digital 1TB External USB 3.0
1*Western Digital 500GB External USB 3.0
1*Seagate 500GB External USB 2.0
PSU
Thermaltake ToughPower QFan 750W
Case
Thermaltake Element S VK60001W2Z
Cooling
Corsair H60 Water Cooling, 2*230mm and 2*80mm case fans
Keyboard
Logitech G110
Mouse
Logitech MX518
I agree with all drivers except video, assuming the system is used for gaming. If so, then I'd always want the latest video card drivers loaded. Aside from that, in this example, if my wireless network connections were working as expected, I wouldn't bother trying a new driver.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7-2600
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3P-B3
Memory
12 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 470
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp 2209WA
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility3 240 GB, WD5001AALS, WD7501AALS
PSU
OCZ ModStream 700W
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 912 Advanced
Cooling
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
I can also confirm that Windows Updates will offer the NVIDIA graphics driver, but it'll be an optional one.

If you decide you don't want it, just right-click it and choose Hide. You won't be offered it again.

Personally, I think with the graphics you're better to use NVIDIA's own drivers, but as my esteemed colleagues have already said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Windows 7 is pretty good at taking care of business. :)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion Elite 495UK
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 870 @ 2.93GHz
Motherboard
MSI 2A9C (CPU1)
Memory
8Gb Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce GTX 460 1024MB dedicated RAM
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP2310i
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
1x1954GB Hitachi HDS22020ALA 330 (RAID), 1x1954GB Hitachi External for backup and storage
PSU
460W
Case
HP Elite
Cooling
Air cooled
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Logitech K750 solar-powered keyboard
Mouse
Logitech Wireless M180 mouse
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2Mb
Other Info
Pure Avanti Flow Internet Radio with iPod Dock, 64Gb iPod, HP USB Speakers, Sony MDR-V500 Headphones, Sony Vaio F-Series Laptop
Windows graphics drivers are invariably next to useless.

I go to Nvidia for GFX drivers for this (GT555M 2gb) and the desktop (GeForce 5700 256mb), and intel for the 4500MHD drivers in the AS5735.

You take a serious performance hit in gaming using the Windows drivers. Windows has offered drivers for the
4500MHD, but they seriously degraded performance.

To sum up, always use drivers from the hardware manufacturers if possible.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire Ethos 8951G
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
i7-2670QM @ 2.2/3.2 Ghz
Motherboard
Acer
Memory
8 Gb DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Ge-Force GT555M 2 Gb
Sound Card
Onboard w/Dolby 5/1
Hard Drives
2x750GB onboard. 640GB pocket drive, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x500GB Seagate external.
Katanyavich said:
Windows graphics drivers are invariably next to useless.
Click to expand...
Are you aware that Windows Update brings down real manufacturer drivers? I have several computers with Nvidia, ATI, and Intel video adapters, and each one can get real, valid OEM drivers from Windows Update.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
CPU
Intel Core i7-2600
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD3P-B3
Memory
12 GB Patriot Extreme DDR3-1333
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GTX 470
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell UltraSharp 2209WA
Hard Drives
OCZ Agility3 240 GB, WD5001AALS, WD7501AALS
PSU
OCZ ModStream 700W
Case
CoolerMaster HAF 912 Advanced
Cooling
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus
DeaconFrost said:
Katanyavich said:
Windows graphics drivers are invariably next to useless.
Click to expand...
Are you aware that Windows Update brings down real manufacturer drivers? I have several computers with Nvidia, ATI, and Intel video adapters, and each one can get real, valid OEM drivers from Windows Update.
Click to expand...
Can't speak for anyone else but the video driver Win-Update tried to install on my PC was two versions (releases) OLD. I already had the latest update installed from the vendor (Intel) and WU would have installed an older version had I not optioned the driver updates the same as regular updates. (Let me decide.) I don't mind reviewing the updates myself or retrieving vendor updates. I used to check weekly when my board was new. Now, I check only once a month. It's just an SOP for me. I don't think MS has the resources to keep every vendor's drivers up to date. I'm pretty sure they just take what is supplied by a vendor on the vendor's schedule.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Built 2/11/2011
OS
Windows 7 Pro-x64
CPU
i7-2600 3.4GHz - 3.8GHz Turbo
Motherboard
Intel DH67BL-B3
Memory
8Gb - 2x4GB, Muskin 991770 PC3-1333
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated Intel HD 2000
Sound Card
Integrated Intel 10.1 HD, RealTek ALC892
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus LCD VH222H, Haier HL24XSL2a
Screen Resolution
1920x1080, 1920x1080
Hard Drives
Crucial SSD C300-128Gb,
Western Digital WD5002AALX - 500Gb,
Western Digital WD7501AALS - 750Gb
PSU
Seasonic 650W 80+ Gold Modular
Case
Rosewill Defender
Cooling
Stock CPU, Four 120mm case fans, PCH fan added
Keyboard
Logitech EX100 Y-RBH94 Wireless
Mouse
Logitech EX100 M-RCE95 Wireless
Internet Speed
3.0/1.5 Mbs
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials
Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer 11
Other Info
Antec Veris Premier-Multimedia IR Station,
Cyber Accoustics-3602 Speakers,
AFT XM-5U Card Reader,
Hauppauge TV-HVR-2250,
Sony LX300 USB Turntable
Carwiz is right on this one.

After I installed NVIDIA's latest driver (296.10) Windows Updates offered me version 270.56 - I think it was anyway.

As a result I turned off automatic updates and just carry out a manual check each Wednesday.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion Elite 495UK
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
CPU
Intel Core i7 870 @ 2.93GHz
Motherboard
MSI 2A9C (CPU1)
Memory
8Gb Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GeForce GTX 460 1024MB dedicated RAM
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
HP2310i
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
1x1954GB Hitachi HDS22020ALA 330 (RAID), 1x1954GB Hitachi External for backup and storage
PSU
460W
Case
HP Elite
Cooling
Air cooled
Keyboard
Logitech K750 solar-powered keyboard
Mouse
Logitech Wireless M180 mouse
Internet Speed
2Mb
Other Info
Pure Avanti Flow Internet Radio with iPod Dock, 64Gb iPod, HP USB Speakers, Sony MDR-V500 Headphones, Sony Vaio F-Series Laptop
In three years, Windows Update has NEVER offered a better driver for the Intel 4500MHD than I could get from Intel.

If installed, I always took a performance-hit.

It's always been SOP for me to use drivers from the actual manufacturer of the hardware.

And WinUpdate is always set so I can review updates before installing them.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer Aspire Ethos 8951G
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
i7-2670QM @ 2.2/3.2 Ghz
Motherboard
Acer
Memory
8 Gb DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Ge-Force GT555M 2 Gb
Sound Card
Onboard w/Dolby 5/1
Hard Drives
2x750GB onboard. 640GB pocket drive, 1x2TB Seagate external, 1x500GB Seagate external.
I always go with the drivers from the manufacture. I don't trust windows to bring me the latest drivers for my video card or anything else. The one from the manufacture should be more knowledgeable about what drivers to use then windows in my opinion.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom build
OS
Windows 10 64bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 925 (Deneb)(2.8GHz) OC 3.4GHz
Motherboard
M5A78L-MLX Plus
Memory
Corsair Vengeance DDR3 4GBX2 (8192MB)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX HD 6870 1GB (OC)- 940MHz core, mem 1150MHz
Monitor(s) Displays
Vizio 26' 1920x1080 / Acer 1336x768
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 60Hz /1336x768
Hard Drives
Kingston Digital 60GB SSDNow V300/500gb HDD Western Digital 7200rpm (/WD 160GB HDD 7200rpm
PSU
CORSAIR CX600 600w
Case
AZZA Orion 202 EVO
Cooling
cooler master hyper TX3 cpu cooler
Keyboard
Razer DeathStalker
Mouse
Logitech Optical Gaming Mouse G400
Antivirus
Defualt on win 10
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
cpu is overclocked in bios
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