Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Chipset identification

May 17, 2010 9:54AM PDT

Intel Chipset Identification Utility vs. Device mgr chipset ID - which correct?
The Intel Chipset Identification Utility identifies my chipset as
Intel X48 Express Chipset. Device Manager shows Intel x38 Express chipset PCI Express Root port (also X38 chipset to I/O port).. I am about to upgrade clean install to WIN7 and I definitely want the correct WIN7 chipset driver. Help?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Try both.
May 17, 2010 10:44AM PDT

I've found the Intel installer to be good at this.

- Collapse -
found owners manual
May 17, 2010 7:25PM PDT

I located Dell manual and it says the XPS 420 uses the X38 Express chipset/ICH9R. I don't think the chipset would accept the wrong driver, if I tried to install it, anyways. Thanks, again.

- Collapse -
win7 doesn't need chipset drivers
May 19, 2010 3:45AM PDT

you only need intel drivers if you are using intel rapid storage raid features (formerly known as "matrix raid/matrix storage"). the intel rapid storage drivers are unified and work with all intel chipsets that support raid.

- Collapse -
Just one of many machines that did need it.
May 19, 2010 4:57AM PDT

Just this year we installed to a HP d4999t and a d5000 and performance was lackluster until we installed Intel's chipset driver package.

Why was that? And why would Intel offer this if it was not a good idea?
Bob

- Collapse -
late reply: intel doesn't provide chipset drivers for win7
Jun 1, 2010 12:10PM PDT
- Collapse -
Look at the top post.
Jun 1, 2010 8:26PM PDT

The "38" chipset is under discussion and does have a driver from Intel.com

What to do about this topic? There are a few folk running around spreading the word that no chipset drivers are needed with Windows 7. While that may be true sometimes it is not true always. Go figure.

Maybe they are trying to get such work back to the shop counters across the world?
Bob

- Collapse -
chipset
Jun 1, 2010 9:31PM PDT

I installed WIN 7. I ran the Intel

- Collapse -
Try this.
Jun 1, 2010 9:40PM PDT

This may be good for this machine. I know some extend what happens on one machine to all others. Maybe I should let folk think that Windows 7 would get the latest chipset drivers?

This would be good for shop counters but hard on those that have a machine that needs this chipset package.

Which way should we go here?
Bob