8662 comes today, need a to do list.

Should be here at any moment and I need a list of things I need to do straight out of the box. It comes with Vista already installed. Can someone who has been up this alley please give me a list of things I should do? I'm not proficient with software so please keep that in mind, thanks guys!!

 

almost congrats.
firstly make sure you have antivirus upto date and working before you connect to internet.
download the intel matrix storage manager HERE for your hard drive.
and look HERE for most of the free tools you will need for monitoring temperatures.
finally enjoy

 

That's pretty much it!^ Everything you need is already on there and there is no bloatware to worry about! Just load up your games and have fun!

 

Will my drivers be up to date (got it from xoticpc)?

 

the latest 186.03 drivers have been out a couple of months now and there are no newer ones as of yet so i think you should be fine.
easiest way to find out is (when you get it)
control panel > nvidia control centre > bottom left system information and that will show what drivers you have loaded

 

If you wish to use Win7 RC, you need to reformat.

1. Nvidia Driver
2. Install drivers from the CD that came with the comp.
3. Monitor your temperatures (CPUID is fine)
4. If you think the HDD temp is high, download and install the Intel Storage Manager.
5. If you do not have the antivirus installation, you'll have to get on internet first (obviously). Do that first when you're on net.

Enjoy!

 

Install the Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility and Intel Matrix Storage Manager, before you start working your HDD.

 

candyman screen has gone black since installing intel matrix. any ideas kevin >> HERE

 

This is a great idea (minus driver problems). A "First-Steps" for first-time owners is a good way to consolidate the wealth of information on these forums.

After researching for quite a while and reading up about "New Matrix driver", "Flash BIOS update", "3Dmark benchmark", "critical temps", "overclocking 260 GTM" and all the various other hints across the forums, I can't help but wonder "imagine how much more I must be missing". A definitive guide like this thread is extremely helpful.

 

Is the intel chipset software installation utility the same driver as the one of the CD? or are they different and both need to be installed?

 

i think the intel chipset is different. ive never looked at whats on my cd so im not 100%
the intel matrix is for your harddrive HERE

the intel chipset is for the, er chipset read up on it HERE

 

The one one the CD will be outdated. Just like the Realtek, Nvidia, and everything else.

 

lol...everything else...

The chipset drivers from intel are dated 6/2/2008 while the ones from Sager/CD(?) 06-Apr-09, yet the Sager has version 8.7 while intel has 9.0. Im confused...which one should I use?

 

The sager version is probably when they updated on their page, not when the driver was updated, hence the discrepancy in the dates.

 

run win xp

 

My 8662 arrives today and I know I'm going to need this thread.

 

congrats when it arrives.

 

Its here and its humming.

Question about the Intel Matrix Storage Manager though, as I see a folder of the same name listed in Programs. When I click on the folder, it shows Intel Storage Matrix Console and I'm wondering if Xotic installed it before it shipped?

 

Yes, they've likely installed it along with all the other Windows drivers required for your system.

 

Interesting and thanks @nthony.

My HD temps hit 58 or 59 yesterday while installing a slew of Vista updates and my ambient room temp was low. At that point, I broke out my Zalman but it wasn't able to drop temps significantly until the installs were complete.

I'm now considering my next step in attempting to lower my HD temps. I ordered a 320 Gig 5400 hoping to keep temps down and best I can tell its the Western Digital.

Thanks all and I'm off to another thread as I continue to look to lower my HD temps.

 

anything like installing big files or virus scan and defrag will give high temperatures and this is unavoidable.
what are the temps when just brousing.
have a read up on NBR Cooling Centre HERE

 

Thanks much for the Cooling Central link. I had not seen that before. I plan to eventually under volt, but I'm two or three steps away from tackling that.

Surfing temps are running 50 - 52 C (sans cooler), but I'd like to see them lower. I've started posting in the Update on heat problem thread for topicality's sake. You all have been a huge help.

 

Why... you wont see a performance gain via temps... my HD runs 58C regularly sometimes 60C its fine Oc'd at 2.6 too. Less your gonna go for hardcore OC's stop worrying and enjoy your machine.

Seen a few people get new machines, get all paranoid and end up wrecking thier systems because they couldn't just enjoy it.

 

Sage advice, but we're all big boys here and I didn't say I wasn't enjoying my machine. Some people customize and modify their automobiles and others, their comps.

Let's not derail the topic.

 

Alright well hope nothing breaks for ya. I used to be anal about my sager too its fun in the beginning I suppose - then I learned the phrase if it aint broke dont fix it and my life was changed (for the better) hehe.

Then again my system is amazing and I am gonna try to install W7 on it in Oct. so I won't be heeding my own advice then hehe, I just wanna try W7 bad plus I already bought the upgrade woops.

 

So I just received my NP8662 today (YAY!) and I love it. I was checking this guide and was wondering, there is mention of the intel matrix storage manager. I understand it is playing some function in reducing HDD temps, but what exactly does the software do and does it take a lot of configuring? I checked my temps after just a short time browsing the web and was surprised to find them up around 56C already. I'm assuming this software is a must have for controlling the temps, but I am always wary of installing things without knowing much about them. Anyone feel like giving a quick summary for the noob? lol

Also, ordering the zalman 2000 as soon as I'm done posting...

 

The matrix drivers require zero configuration, just install them and they do their job quietly.

The drivers provided by the OS are generically made to support varying chipsets and hardware; when you install Intel's drivers, Intel takes advantage of the fact that you have an Intel Centrino setup (running all Intel-based hardware) and employs low-level hardware-specific optimizations.

 

Evening everyone - I'm actually cruising on my np5797 that arrived today. As far as the matrix drivers are concerned, do they benefit the np5797 as well? Or is it only for RAID configurations?

 

The Matrix driver contains the latest SATA controller drivers, which is a must have for any Intel system. Single drives will benefit from it.

 

Thank you Soviet. Going to run 3dmark here in a bit too and see what it turns out on factory drivers.