Whats most important in order when doing a clean install

When you format you HD then start installing windows 7 64 for ex in my case an asrock extreme6 which has intel chipset. What is the first order of business (and what if any tricks does one need to know when doing a clean install).

Obviously i try to get newest drivers, the video is the easiest but often the drivers on the MOBO CD are not the
newest. In my case i was able to get newer intel INF Driver the realtek and the USB intel driver and lan. For some reason the intel app that is supposed to help you ID and find updates is total garbage it has not worked once. More annoying is when you have dual versions as in dual manufacturers for USB and LAN in my case I have asrock extreme 6, though i chose to go with the intel lan to just make it easier still have yet to learn if it was the right choice and for some reason im unable to DL asmedia drivers (they dont seem to let you do it off their site and im weary of going off "the net", does anyone know of a site that has drivers and they are legit?)

This time once i get all the basics installed im making me a system image. Tired of having to start from scratch each time.

Thanks,
Sebastian