Updating Drivers

[PinkRose]

How does everyone update drivers?
Usually I just let Windows update and be done with it.
Anyone use any programs and such to find the best out there?

[Talon]

My personal approach is generally if it works then leave it alone unless there's some magnificent addition within the driver to make it worthwhile.

What are we talking about? Graphics card? I tend to install it, have it working and then not update it until something goes wonky and trying a new driver is a possible fix.

On the whole, though, the graphics card is the only thing that ever gets any sort of regular update. And regular is certainly relative.

To answer your question, though, you can manually download the newest if you know the device model for whatever you wish to update. And the majority of applications and devices have their own management program these days that will detect and install drivers for you if desired. My graphics card is constantly whinging about feeling old and tired but I refuse to give it a face lift.

[Namae Nai]

With drivers and software updates, I tend to have a 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' attitude. The cost/benefit of updating is too high, usually. This is because it's entirely possible that the driver you're installing isn't optimized for performance, but for compatibility... meaning it won't work as well for you. If something actively isn't working though (i.e. it is broke,) of course you should try to update if possible.

The one exception I make is related to graphics cards. I will update DirectX/graphics drivers if I buy a new game. I go that through the Microsoft/nVidia website, or Windows update, if that's an option. And I do all the Windows updates and patch my antivirus.

[PinkRose]

Ok. Just checking.
I'm far from a total newbie at this. I was just checking to see if people were doing something different then me.
Which it sounds like you aren't.
I keep my video card updated through its program. And the rest I leave alone unless something breaks.
Thanks.

[Askari]

I also tend to go with a "if it's not broke, don't fix it" approach.

The only exception being graphics card drivers, which I sometimes update if I feel my performance in a game does not match my expectations (and also often update before the start of some newly-released MMORPG).

A direct example would be that I was getting some graphical glitches in FFXIV's re-launch with my nVidia GTX480, so I updated to the latest beta driver and the glitches went away.

[Corsair]

Yeah, when a new game comes along, and I am wanting to be into it from the get-go, I will often go to the appropriate web locale to update video card drivers. The rest I let roll along unless some issue arises.

I will update graphics drivers for Landmark for example. Of course, I didn't pony up for full on alpha goodness, I am a low class Settler beta citizen. (Just wasn't sure the rather steep extra cash was justified to get in for alpha.)