Help with optimising my experience with a P150EM

Time has come to reformat my computer and I figured I'd do it right. I am looking for some tips on what drivers I should be using to get the most out of mainly the graphics card (7970m) but also the rest of my machine.

Spoiler

P1500EM
7970m
3610QM
Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235
8GB (2x4gb) RAM @ 1333MHz
I would prefer to run Windows 8 since I'm used to it by now but if it has any major disadvantages I'll use Windows 7.

So yeah what set of drivers are currently the best for the 7970? TBH the only game I actually play everyday ATM is LoL so my main priority is to have that running smoothly.

This post links to a HD4000 VGA driver from gigabytes website that he claims is absolutely the best and also to a DX9 fix by MacHater. Are these two things useful and/or are there any better alternatives?

As for all the other drivers is there anything special to keep in mind or just download from clevos website? Is the Clevo driver thread superior at all? When downloading from the driver thread the Windows 8 section has far less drivers, would I download the missing ones from the Windows 7 section?

Which is the best order to install all the drivers in on a clean Windows partition and between which installations is a reboot required? Is there anything else to keep in mind when installing the drivers?

I'm thankful for all and any help I can get and I would love to hear anything you have found to ease your experience with the 7970m :thumbsup:

EDIT: Also when done what would the simplest or best way to check if everyting is working be?

 

I would recommend the Drivers thread. And yes, using the windows 7 drivers when you have windows 8 is probably ok (the other way around is probably not however).

I can't remember the order, but usually you make sure that chipset is number one, followed by any kind of intel component drivers (like USB, misc stuff like RST, CPU, etc.), then I would do the HD graphics driver, then Sound, Wifi, and ethernet. I would do the 7970M drivers last.

And honestly, reboot every time it says to. Even with windows updates (only when it says for you to reboot).

 

Thanks for the quick response

Do you have any idea on the best combination of VGA drivers or should I just shoot for the newest official releases? I'd also like some opinion on the DX9 fix and gigabyte HD driver (for anyone who knows not necessarily you)

And I was wondering when installing 7970m drivers is it smart to install stock drivers first and then the newer one on top or go straight for the one I'm using?

 

I apologize I wish I could be more help for the 7970M drivers. I've heard people doing all of those and having mixed results.

In general I would think that the newest official release would be best, but I'm really not sure.

 

No worries and thanks a ton for the help, I feel that I have my answers. One thing though is the USB 3 drivers, is the windows 8 workaround mentioned in the driver thread needed?