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Chipset driver. Do I need one? (self.pcmasterrace)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by PeanutsHere to c/pcmasterrace

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Hello!

I'm reinstalling windows 10 on my laptop (MSI GS66 Stealth 10se) from scratch and only enabling security updates therefore I need to install all the drivers on my own.

So far I have installed my Intel integrated graphics driver and a wireless driver and a driver for my dedicated GPU. I got all of these straight from Intel's website and not from my laptops manufacturers website.

On my laptops manufacturer website I can also see a chipset driver. I tried to look for it on Intel's website but only found a "Chipset INF Utility" (driver?). After looking on google and over the interwebs I found out that this INF Utility isn't really a driver but needed for naming some system components in the windows devices settings (devmgmt.msc).

I downloaded this supposed chipset driver form my laptop manufacturer's website and it seemed to be an older version of this INF Utility from Intel. But if this INF Utility is not a driver (laptop manufacturer calls it a driver) do I need a chipset driver? How do I know If I need one anyways? And where do I get a chipset driver if I need one?

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The Intel Chipset Device Software installs the Windows* INF files. An INF is a text file that provides the operating system with information about a piece of hardware on the system. That information is primarily the product name for the piece of hardware. This allows the operating system to show the correct name for that piece of hardware in Device Manager.

Typically the download from your manufacturer's website is sufficient as it has the information for the hardware relevant to your system. Newer versions from other sources (like Intel) will cover newer hardware that probably doesn't exist in your system.

[–] PeanutsHere 1 points 1 year ago

Thx for the answer.