PC guy's, need your help one more time!

[Importz2k1]

So I'm ready for my build, I went with the following parts:

GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
G.skill Ripjaws X Series 16gb (4 X 4gb) 240-pin Ddr3 Sdram Ddr3 1600 (Pc3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800cl9q-16gbxl
Phenom II X4 980 3.70 GHz Processor - Socket AM3 PGA-938
XFX HD-695X-CNDC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W High Performance 80PLUS Silver SLI CrossFire ready Power Supply
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
NZXT Sentry-2 5.25" Touch Screen fan controller
2-Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
3-APEVIA CF12SL-UBL 120mm Blue LED Case Fan
2-Apevia CF14SL-BBL 140mm Case
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10_212P-G1

My question is, I know I have install the drivers for Chipset, Network, USB, Audio and Video Card, but what about these, they are all in the Gigabyte downloads page and I have no idea what they are for.

Marvell 9128 AHCI/RAID driver
Marvell RAID Driver
Marvell AHCI Driver
AMD SATA RAID/AHCI Driver (Preinstall driver, press F6 during Windows* setup to read from floppy)
OS:Windows XP 32bit,Windows XP 64bit
And are there any more I need to install?

As always, thanks for the help. I love this site!

Jay

[barnez]

OS:Windows XP 32bit,Windows XP 64bit

I'm a bit confused by this line after all of they RAID drivers. Are you quoting this from the website, or is this your install?

I ask because depending on what RAID configuration you are assembling (personally I'd give it a lot of thought going with Seagates) and what OS you are going to use, you shouldn't need any RAID drivers. XP didn't ship with much in the way of RAID drivers so if that is what you are using then yes you will need to get the drivers ahead of time. Win7 has several RAID configurations built right in (for that matter the BIOS of the board should be able to auto configure the setup)

If you are dual installing XP 32/64 my next question is why? Simplify, get Win7 64bit - is only an extra $100 at Tigerdirect/ CompUSA.

I don't believe the ACHI driver is necessary for your system. The other listed RAID drivers will depend more upon your OS than anything else

-barnez

[Importz2k1]

Barnez, sorry that's on the downloads page of Gigabyte's website.
I will be installing Windows 7 64 bit.
I am a bit confused about a few other downloads for the touch bios and thigs like that.
Should I just use the drivers that come on the disc for the mobo and then download the lates and greatest?
Here is the site so you don't have to search for it: http://www.gigabyte.my/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3996&dl=#driver

I also found that I have to do this in order for my memory to work correctly: http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=7688

[styckx]

Steps.

Install Windows

Install all drivers off mobo CD

Download video card drivers directly from AMD

Install soundcard drivers from CD (If using external soundcard)

Run Windows Update and install all critical and optional (except language packs)

Then check device manager for missing drivers. You should have none at this point though.

The drivers on their website are usually updated versions then what was on the CD or the same versions incase you lost the CD. Windows update though should take care of updated drivers though. Most mobos have some sort of live update software also.

[styckx]

Oh yeah, and update the BIOS. Most likely it is outdated.

[barnez]

Oh yeah, and update the BIOS. Most likely it is outdated.

Probably.

Basically, what styckx wrote.

I figured that was just what was posted on the site, wanted to make sure tho.

-barnez

[arizonachris]

According to these specs, I don't see any Marvell controllers on that board : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 990FXA-UD3

The driver disk should auto run once Windows is installed. Make sure and get video drivers from ATI and sound drivers direct from Realtek. The default Windows driver stink. The Realtek onboard LAN drivers in Win 7 are fine.

Looks like one heck of a beast you're putting together! Have fun, and take your time. Don't rush assembling.

[Importz2k1]

Thanks guy's, that makes it a bit easier for me now.

Looks like one heck of a beast you're putting together! Have fun, and take your time. Don't rush assembling.

That makes me feel good about my system, I did what I could afford but wanted something a little "meaty" to handle most games. Specially RW2, that's the main reason for the upgrade. I was getting headaches watching my trains speed up, slow down, speed up etc etc. It is annoying as heck. Hopefully this new system will make that go away.

[Importz2k1]

Guy's, I am happy to report that my build went perfect! I took my time installing everything and now all I have to do is figure a way to tie down the sea of cables neatly. Thank you all for the great advice, I couldn't be happier!!!!
Now all I have to do is transfer my files from my old pc and start driving some trains!!

Only question I have, is Steam going to give me a hard time?
Do I download Steam, sign in and download my games again?

[arizonachris]

Tie wraps.

Once you reinstall the Steam client, you just need the account name and password. Steam does have this new security thing, since you are logging in from a different PC, you may have to jump thru a hoop or two. Nothing serious.

As far as the files on your old hard drive, there are two ways you can do it. Both are easy. If the old drive is a SATA drive, you can just add it to the new system on one of the SATA connectors. Or, what I did was to buy an external drive enclosure, cost me about $24. Hooks into a USB port. Then use Windows Explorer, find the "steamapps" folder and copy it into your new Steam install. Bam! You're done!

[Importz2k1]

Yeah, I used an external HD to transfer my files using Windows Easy Transfer, but I had to download Steam again along with all my games on Steam. Gonna have to install all my assetes again too.

Live and learn I guess.

Took me about 3 hrs to do the build and about 6 hrs getting all my stuff on it. Still not done. Haven't slept since yesterday and am starting to lose my steam......