Preparation for a new build - Maximus IV Extreme - Z + i7 2700K

[Nightwrath]

-- Last Edited: 18/02/2012 --

Hi all,
I've been forum exploring for the past 2 weeks while waiting to obtain the last 3 pieces to my new build so I'm a bit familiar with some names on the forum. I would like to take the opportunity to say "Hello!" to HiVizMan and Digmeahole, most of your posts have been really helpful for my preparation to this new build however, as often happens it has left me with a couple questions.

First off, I'll list the hardware:

Case: Cooler Master Cosmos 2
Motherboard: Asus Maximus IV Extreme - Z
CPU: Intel i7 2700k
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100 (Push/Pull configuration with 4 Scythe 120mm Gentle Typhoon 1850 RPM = 4 x GT AP-15)
RAM: 16Gb (4x4Gb) Corsair Vengeance Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz = CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9
GPU: Asus Matrix GTX 580 Platinum (God this was hard to find!!!):rolleyes:
SSD: (OS + Games): Kingston Hyper-X 120GB SATA 6Gb/s
HDD: (Mass Media + Other programs): Old Build's Western Digital 5000SK (SATA 3Gb/s, 500GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB Cache)
PSU: Corsair AX1200

Build Storage Configuration:
So after a couple back and forths with HiVizMan, It has become clear to me that using a 64Gb SSD for Caching will NOT benefit me in anyway.

I will already be running the OS and a few select programs off my 120Gb SSD so if I feel the need for more high speed storage space later down the line, I have the RAID option available to me.

I will need to establish a smaller partition then my actuall SSD capacity to keep it working a its highest speed and also maintain its longevity. This is called Over-Provisioning and I will most likely end up with a single 90Gb partition for my SSD.

Motherboard Latest Drivers & Software List:
Argh! So many Drivers & Software!!! And some of which I have no clue what they are actually for!:confused:

CHIPSET: Version 9.3.0.1019 - Latest version found on Intel website, probably the most important driver to install!

AUDIO: Version 5.10.0.6363 & 6.0.1.63 - Realtek Audio Driver

VGA: Version 8.15.10.2622 - Intel(R) Graphics Accelerator Driver, latest version found on Intel website, this will been needed for Lucid Virtu Video Encoding and Converting

LAN: Version 16.8.1 - Intel Gigabit Ethernet Driver, latest version found on Intel website, chips are the 82579V & 82583V

USB: Version 2.1.28.1 - Renesas(NEC) USB 3.0 Controller Driver, latest version found on Station-drivers website, though I also fond a firmware update to Version 3.0.2.8.0.8/4.0.1.5.0.2 hoping I can Slipstream this in to my Windows USB install

SATA
IRST: Version 11.0.0.1032 - Needed for RAID and must be installed once the OS has been installed
MARVELL: Version 1.0.0.1051 & 1.0.0.14 - AHCI Driver and RAID Driver, later version can be found on Station-drivers
JMICRON: Version 1.17.58.2 - Controller Driver E-SATA, later version can be found on Station-drivers

BLUETHOOTH: Version 7.10.01 - Driver for Bluethooth connectivity for my Android phone

BIOS: Version 1004 - Latest BIOS to date

UTILITIES
BUPDATER: Version 1.24 - As I have USB BIOS FlashBack and 2 BIOS ROMs on this motherboard I will have no use for this and therefore will not install it
IRST SMART UPDATER: Version 1.00.02 - Seems to be a utility to update the IRST automatically, don't think I need this but would be nice if someone could give me a bit more information on it
ROG CPU-Z: Version 1.58 - System information panel, required for validation screenshots of Overclocking
LUCID VIRTU SOFTWARE: Version 1.2.108.18765 - Needed to help cut down time when video encoding
KAPERSKY ANTIVIRUS: Version 11.0.2.556 - Already have a very good Antivirus from my ISP and I'm more a Norton kinda guy, don't think I'll install this unless some people manage to change my mind
DISK UNLOCKER: Version 2.0.6 - Used to manage High Capacity HDDs (over 2.2Tb) as my HDD is only 500Gb I have no need for this currently
AI CHARGER: Version 1.00.09 - Lowers the time required to charge an apple device, unfortunately I'm an Android user and not interested in apple products, from the research I have done this seems to only work with apple products so I won't be installing it. Can anybody confirm this?
WEB STORAGE: Version 3.0.94.193 - Cloud storage from Asus, why not!:D
ROG CONNECT: Version 1.04.14 - Overclocking utility to be installed on remote computer
ROG CONNECT PLUS: Version 1.00.14 - Overclocking utility to be installed on Build
MEM TWEAKIT: Version 1.01.1 - Overclocking Utility for RAM
INTEL MANAGEMENT ENGINE INTERFACE: Version 7.0.0.1144 - Seems to be required to use ROG Connect
BROWSER CONFIGURATION UTILITY: Version 1.0.10.0 - Everyhting I have read on this confuses me even more, I don't think I'll be installing this but if anyone has some extra information on this please share it with me
AI SUITE II: Version 1.01.30 - Need to establish what I actually will be using out of this bundle and if I can get the software without the whole bundle.

Now on to the questions:

I'm really hoping you guys can help me out with the many questions I have. I will try and keep this thread updated with my Progress on the build (or for now at least the preparation for it). I'll be building up the rig on March 9th so this gives me 2-3 weeks to get everything backed up and make myself a nice bundle of the latest drivers and such.

Thanks To Digmeahole for the Package in this Thread: http://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?9319-Maximus-IV-Extreme-Z-BIOS-1004-Intel-Raid-Rom-Updated-to-11.0.0.1339

Digmeahole, will you possibly be doing the same sort of package for version 11.5 which should allow TRIM support on RAID0 setups?

1st question:
- I've been reading up on doing a Slipstream Install of Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit with a USB 3.0 flash stick through the USB 3.0 ports. I would need to add the USB 3.0 drivers to the Slipstream process. Does anybody have any knowledge on this procedure? Also is this something that would be viable for other Main drivers (such as Chipset and LAN)?

Thanks to anyone who can help me out throughout this ongoing process!:D


-- First post (introduction to new build and components): 15/02/2012 --
-- Added thread for Digmeahole's BIOS + Raid Rom Package: 16/02/2012 --
-- Updated with Storage configuration: 18/02/2012 --
-- Added Motherboard Latest Drivers & Software List from Asus: 18/02/2012 --

[Nightwrath]

For other updates, research and such. Mostly notes to self of things I still haven quite figured out but once I do will find their way into my main post.

Links for Slipstream install window 7 64bit on USB 3.0:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/585536-re-installing-windows-7-a.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/145343-slipstream-windows-7-sp1-into-installation-dvd-iso-file.html
http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/151892-usb-3-x64-unattended (http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/151892-usb-3-x64-unattended/)

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/145343-slipstream-windows-7-sp1-into-installation-dvd-iso-file.html

Simple First build install Links: (Thanks HiViz!)
http://techinstyle.tv/technology/how-to-guides/guide-to-installing-win7-on-your-ssd-part-1-the-basics
http://techinstyle.tv/technology/how-to-guides/operating-system-install-check-list


RAID Setup Guide:
http://rog.asus.com/77402012/guides/raid-–-all-you-need-to-know-about-raid-and-setup-guide-for-first-timers


Site that has all specific Motherboard Chip Names:
http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/asus_maximus_iv_extreme_z,1.html

Nice list of up to date Motherboard Drivers:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1042186/asus-z68-series-information-thread-drivers-bioses-overclocking-reviews-updated-3-1

Drivers installation Order: (this may not be right as I'm still doing my research)
1 - CHIPSET
2 - LAN
3 - SATA
4 - USB 3.0 (hopefully will get these Slipstreamed in my Windows 7 USB install)
5 - AUDIO
6 - VIDEO
7 - Latest BIOS
8 - Other software

Is it possible to Slipstream all my drivers? (excluding VIDEO)

[WhitePaw]

Gonna run fans at 100%, no pwm?

[Nightwrath]

Well, depends if the controller from the H100 can still lower them with the 3 profiles. if not then yeah they will be running 100% as they are only 3 pin but from the research I've done they run quite quiet even at 100%. :)

[HiVizMan]

H100 fans on 100% are quite? Not heard those words in the same sentence for a while. But they are not too bad compared to some I have used.

First up - If you are using a USB3 pen drive in a USB3 port it should not work. That is why you need to install the drivers in OS. I only have a HDD USB3 drive and that is not detected during the install process, which is why I am extrapolating. Digmeahole might be better suited to answer that one.

SSD cacheing. If you have SSD then there is no need to SSD cache as your cache is on SSD as it is.

Keep your OS SSD one partition. What you will want to do is simply let Win7 do its thing. So no format when asked just let the OS install do the work. Neatness does not factor into this equation. What you might want to do is when prompted create a SSD drive partition that is slightly smaller than the actual drive size. Google or visit some of the SSD support forums to read up as to why this is a good thing.

Slipstreamed OS are fun to make, I started with XP years ago and still get a kick out of making benchmark specific OS. You do need to understand what you are doing when you remove stuff from the OS mind you. But if you are just going to add patches or applications (drivers) then it is easy peasy. http://www.rt7lite.com/ start reading here. Should be done by Easter it is so interesting. Seriously.

[UltraNEO*]

H100 fans on 100% are quite?

Assuming they're the same fans which come bundled with the H80.... Yea... They're quite!
But ONLY IF the entire machine is placed in another room...

[Nightwrath]

Thanks HiViz for getting the ball rolling on this thread!:D

Now to set something straight before more people try to get on the Fan bandwagon!

H100 fans on 100% are quite? Not heard those words in the same sentence for a while. But they are not too bad compared to some I have used.
I wrote this in my build components at the start of the post:

CPU Cooler: Corsair H100 (Push/Pull configuration with 4 Scythe 120mm Gentle Typhoon 1850 RPM = 4 x GT AP-15)
This implies I will be switching out the fans for Scythe Gentle Typhoons, after the research I did they seems to fit the bill perfectly!:p
Here's a video that compares the Cougar Vortex to the Gentle Typhoon (Skip to 4:20 in the video if you don't want to watch the whole thing).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eHtZgdusTQ
Yes, I know the Cougar has more CFM (pushes more air) but I'm more interested in the Static pressure of these fans since they will be up against the H100 radiator. The GT are rated at a nice 081inH2O which is superb for my radiator cooling needs.


First up - If you are using a USB3 pen drive in a USB3 port it should not work. That is why you need to install the drivers in OS.
Well, from what I've read the reason this doesn't work is due to the fact that USB 3.0 is not supported natively by the Windows 7 OS so by Slipstreaming the USB 3.0 drivers in the Windows 7 Install I think this could work. Here is what leads me to think so, it's found in this link:http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell...ndows-7-a.html (http://forum.notebookreview.com/dell-xps-studio-xps/585536-re-installing-windows-7-a.html)
From KIZH:
"Just in case anyone else is having this problem, I will put my solution down for people that use the search function.

I have 7z installed on my main PC computer, I downloaded the USB3 drivers from Dell, and extracted them using a right click and selecting 7z extract.

I then used "RT 7 Lite" to inject the usb drivers into a folder I eventually used for my USB installation. There is no need to use the microsoft USB tool, RT 7 will do this for you. You won't even need to make an ISO first. The usb 3.0 drivers must be .inf files, there are two of them, they are 2-3 deep into folders. I used the x64 folder."


SSD cacheing. If you have SSD then there is no need to SSD cache as your cache is on SSD as it is.
Now this has me confused a bit and I will need to do more research but your telling me that my SSD will do the same job as a Cache SSD? I thought the Cache SSD in conjonction with the SRT (Smart Response Technology) of the CPU would be quite usefull for programs located on my HDD (if I were to install all the programs I use on my SSD I would definitely not have enough space).

I was envisioning such things as say photoshop, I don't use it that often because I'm not an artist but I like to mess around with it sometimes, but I would prefer keeping it installed on my HDD to keep my SSD freed up for video encoding and future games. A Cache SSD dedicated to this seemed to be the solution for such programs. Can you give me a bit more insight on your statement? I'd appreciate it alot.:confused:


What you might want to do is when prompted create a SSD drive partition that is slightly smaller than the actual drive size. Google or visit some of the SSD support forums to read up as to why this is a good thing.
Yes, I'm aware that for an SSD to work at it's maximal speeds it must have free space of about ~ 20%-30% to keep the read/write times consistent. I'm glad you mentioned it however as this information will be useful to anyone who doesn't know this and reads this thread.;)


http://www.rt7lite.com/ start reading here. Should be done by Easter it is so interesting. Seriously.Awesome! I'll be researching in there for the next week or so. Thank you so much for the link!

Please get back to me when you get a chance.:D

[HiVizMan]

Not sure how a device that needs a driver to work will be able to install the driver that allows it to work. But I have ordered a USB3 flash drive so I am keen to see how that pans out. :)

My apologies I as a bit naughty about the H100 and the noise aspect. The fan choice you are making will go a long way to improve both the performance and the audible nature of the H100.

Cache - your cache is stored on your OS drive in any case. The SSD cache thing is for those folks who wish to have the best of both worlds (if you are to believe the marketing) the speed of a SSD and the capacity of the larger mechanical drive (think I wrote an article about this some place??). Well sort of, but not quite. How how it works is like this - the mech hard drive will over time build up in the cache those applications or bits of data that are most often used. In the first week or so there will be next to no improvement of speed over a stock mechanical hard drive. it is only once the repository of information (your user history if you like) has been built up that you will see the gains of applications opening up quicker. So aimed primarily at those who have a large capacity hard drive and are willing to spring for a small SSD type drive for the cache.

When you run a SSD as your primary drive (OS Drive) your cache and all your applications (games) are on your SSD in anycase. Therefore your speed will be there from the get go. So when and if you decide to add an additional SSD for the cache what you in effect do is add a layer of communication to your system that was not there before. Your primary OS on the SSD now has to access another SSD to get the cached data, where before it was on the primary SSD.

Hope that makes sense.

Now the making your SSD partition smaller than the total capacity of the SSD. I am meaning more about the longevity and real world performance. The technique is called over provisioning.


46.
Over-Provisioning increases overall write IOPS and reliability over time.
All the SSD controllers do is map/register the pages/blocks.
They have no knowledge of what is in the pages/blocks.
Just whether they contain valid or invalid data.
Different controllers may deal with the pages/blocks in slightly different ways.
Some even rotate valid data around to improve Wear Leveling and longevity.
Some even merge/combine at the page level to improve matters further.

47.
Manual OP would free up more pages/blocks over time.
This provides a much larger pool of free blocks for the controller to manage.
This is best achieved before/during Operating System installation.
By creating a smaller formatted (quick only) Volume size.

But yes you never want your SSD to get more than two thirds full as a rule. Means you have to be very strict about what you store on the primary drive, takes managing because you can not believe how quick and easy it is to fill up a SSD.

[Nightwrath]

Awesome HiViz!

Basically the short answer for the SSD Caching is "just go with SSD in RAID setup later" lol.:cool: Makes more sense and your explanation made that clear for me so thank you very much for going into detail with this!

For the Slipstream:

Not sure how a device that needs a driver to work will be able to install the driver that allows it to work. But I have ordered a USB3 flash drive so I am keen to see how that pans out. :)

I believe the USB port will be registered as 2.0 until the driver is installed to make it 3.0 but you do bring up a valid point: mainly where is the driver installed if the OS isn't there yet. Please keep me posted if you do try this before I get my hands dirty. I'm very curious to see if we can get this to work as we would want it to. Would be so fast!

[HiVizMan]

I will have an answer by Tuesday at the latest. Could be here Sat :p But most likely Monday

[HiVizMan]

Having fun planning this all are we? Seems very familiar, the kind of thing I do all the time. Drives my wife nuts.


Did not go through the essay completely but a few things sprung out at me.

Why do you want to have the on board graphic drivers installed. Planning on using them? If so, for what particularly. Going that route is not a good idea and does not save you any energy at all.

Same goes for the Lucid stuff, are you into video encoding? If so I guess it is handy but really unless you are going to be using it often not worth the pain that goes with it.

AIsuite bundle of what? Must be talking different stuff from what I know. :) Again which parts of that lot do you want to use? Specify.

Keep your install simple and stupid. KISS be they motto.


Cheers mate speak soon.

[Nightwrath]

Why do you want to have the on board graphic drivers installed. Planning on using them? If so, for what particularly. Going that route is not a good idea and does not save you any energy at all.

Same goes for the Lucid stuff, are you into video encoding? If so I guess it is handy but really unless you are going to be using it often not worth the pain that goes with it.

Well, I'm planning on doing quite a bit of Video Streaming and Encoding so yes, that is why I'm installing the on board graphics drivers. I will also have the Nvidia graphics driver for my Discrete GPU installed as Lucid Virtu uses both to cut down encoding times.

We can always discuss this further but I want to try this out and see how it performs as I have not been able to experiment with it yet.;)


AIsuite bundle of what? Must be talking different stuff from what I know. :) Again which parts of that lot do you want to use? Specify.

Ok, I'll admit that some stuff on there does not really serve a purpose but I was going through everything else so meticulously I guess I went too fast on that. If there is a way to single out the software I will need from the bundle then I will do that instead of installing the whole bundle.


Keep your install simple and stupid. KISS be they motto.

Agreed! But I sometimes get carried away with software packages!:p lol

[Nightwrath]

Hey HiViz,
Now I'm confused again, started looking to the chip manufacturers and such for the latest drivers and they are basically all different from the ones posted by Asus. So which ones should I use? I was reading your system install guide and you seem to sugest going with the chip manufacturer ones instead of the board manufacturer ones if I read that right (I think)?

Found latest Firmware and Drivers for the Renesas(NEC) USB 3.0 Controller Chip (D720200) here: http://www.station-drivers.com/page/renesas.htm
Thought it might be helpful for the USB 3 Windows 7 install we wanted to try. Though this means I'd need to update the Firmware on the chip as well I guess right?

Also having a hard time tracking down the latest one for the Realtek Audio, naming convention seems to be different there then the one Asus is using for it. If you know why or can at least point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

Seems the deeper I go into this the more questions I have... Nothing like my last build where I just installed the board manufacturer bundle and called it a day! lol

[HiVizMan]

Pretty much think you are having a ball confusing your self. :p

KISS remember.

The idea of a build plan is to know what the outcome needs to be. And that outcome here is getting lost. The outcome is to have a system that works. The outcome is not to have a system that has the latest of every vendors driver. If it is the latter you will have a hobby for life. Each time a new driver comes into being back in business you are. If having the latest drivers means your system works then that is great. As you are finding it is not as straight forward locating the latest drivers for stuff. Use the drivers that have been tested with the product you have bought.

The PC must work that is the outcome.

However you derive great pleasure in the finding out side of stuff so knock yourself out my friend finding all the bits and pieces. You deserve to have a bit of pleasure in this world. How did the game event go last night?

[Nightwrath]

Use the drivers that have been tested with the product you have bought.

The PC must work that is the outcome.

Yes, I agree with that statement. I'll just stick to the drivers tested by Asus for this board as I know they are functional and should work correctly. At least all the research wasn't a waste, if something doesn't work properly I now know where to get the latest update for it!:p lol

And yes I do enjoy the journey as much as the destination so it's not a problem and I'm glad my questions are not wearing you down.:)

Well as for my gaming event, last night was just the quarter finals of the qualifiers and the player I was rooting for is already out, guess I'll have to pick a new one, But one thing's for sure, he'll be playing the Zerg pieces! lol

Again, thanks for everything.

[HiVizMan]

LOL keep on asking.

What that does is make us think a bit and helps others who might read the essay. :D :D

[Nightwrath]

Hey HiViz. :)

Any Update on that Slipstream USB 3.0 windows 7 installation? You may not have had the time to try it out yet but keep me posted. :)

I'm gonna have another plethora of questions for you by the end of the week. Looking at the possibility of moving certain Windows related folders off the SSD to the HDD if possible and also doing a bit of research on Symbolic links. Trying to see how to best manage the space on my SSD.

Anyways, I'll get back to you on that when I have it better formulated in my head.

Also, your posts:
http://techinstyle.tv/technology/how...t-1-the-basics (http://techinstyle.tv/technology/how-to-guides/guide-to-installing-win7-on-your-ssd-part-1-the-basics)
http://techinstyle.tv/technology/how...all-check-list (http://techinstyle.tv/technology/how-to-guides/operating-system-install-check-list)

They are great, I was really hopping to find the follow up posts to The Basics but I believe you may not have written it yet!:o Let me know when you do, I'm sure it will be super helpful in optimizing my setup and the OS.

That's all for now, talk to you soon! ;)

[HiVizMan]

Hey my friend was just about to see if you were around. Yip the USB drive got here yesterday. Once I have plowed through some of my back log I will play with the install and USB3 driver slipstream.

Stay tuned.

Re the follow up posts oh they are done. Just needed the time to actually put them up. It takes nearly as much time to up the post, tag and layout as it does to write.

[Nightwrath]

Hey HiViz!:)

Any luck with that Slipstream USB 3 windows 7 install?

So I started getting everything rounded up for my RT7lite install, I have gotten all my updates and Service Pack 1 for my Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit disc using the Windows Update Downloader found here http://www.windowsupdatesdownloader.com/ (very useful software, I had started doing the gathering manually through my update history... so glad I found this instead). Right now I'm trying to find the .inf files for all the drivers and I'll probably also want to silently install google Chrome in the same go.

Couple Questions:
1 - Installing the Drivers in the install through .inf files, is this okay to do with all drivers? If so, what is the best method you suggest for extracting the .inf files from driver packages say such as the Chipset?

I know your probably going to tell me "why not just install the drivers after the install of your OS and save yourself the trouble" but it's the first time I do a slipstream install and I decided I want to play around with it a bit (though I do want to end up with a working result! lol)

Considering all this, here's another question: in certain driver packages is there sometimes actual software? And if I'm extracting the .inf files only then this means I would need to install that software as well?

2 - I was wondering if since I want to install google Chrome directly through the win7 custom iso can I just remove Internet explorer and all its relevant widows updates files (.msu) or should I keep it for some safety/unknown reasons?

3 - What are the options I need to configure in an Unattended install to remove Hibernation, remove system protection and dictate the Page file size to 512mg?

4 - I'm not looking to install a "bencher's version" of windows7 (I know you guys love a very lean OS and Minimalistic configuration so it has less impact on the system) but more a fully customized version with most of the default options on there. Keeping that in mind and since you have experience with RT7Lite, do you have any suggestions of tweaks that could be nice?

I hope I get to talk to you again soon, my build date is coming up soon and I'm really excited but need to tie up these loose ends.;)

[VistaKing]

Hi Nightwrath

Why don't you just install Windows 7 and all the drivers for it. Removing IE8 from Features on and off within Windows . Install Google Chrome. Once done installing all of your stuff sysprep the installation. Then capture the sysprep and then remove the original install.wim from the flash drive and add the new install.wim that you just captured. Which that does is next time you need to reinstall windows on that hardware you will have everything you needed the first time you installed Windows . I did that and added 190 updates . If you want to do that way let me know when I will help you.

[Nightwrath]

Thank you VistaKing, but I've already created my Win 7 ISO through RT7Lite which includes SP1 + Updates. I'm really curious to know how you got 190 updates? When I started gathering my updates I was going through the Update history on my current computer and getting all the MSUs, that would have been close to your number, but with SP 1 (I believe it includes many updates packed into one) the amount of updates I needed to get specified by the WUD UL (Update List) was drastically lower, only 71 total. Much more to my liking to be honest.

The reason I'm doing it this way is the rig is not built yet, on the day of building I want to be up in 30 minutes or less. Also this is a chance for me to play around and learn RT7Lite which I'm quite happy to do.:D

You may call me a noob here but I don't even know what Sysprep is so starting down another path when I'm already on this one doesn't appeal to me so much, plus from what I got from your instructions I would basically need to go through the whole install process before ending up with the ISO which kinda defeats my purpose to do the cleanest and quickest install off the bat.

Thanks for the suggestion though, I do appreciate it. :)

[VistaKing]

My Windows 7 version was RTM. Everybody got their own way of doing things I guess. But you are welcome. What a Sysprep does is what OEMs do when people do a factory restore.

[DaemonCantor]

Nightwrath, The way your going about it is basically the same as myself but what I also do is slipstream the drivers for the Motherboard into the install as well. Another thing that may help the process along is to download a copy of Windows 7 SP1 and Slipstream that. You'll get all of the Updates up to SP1 and all you'll have to get are the 48 after SP1 along with the many Driver Updates...but it's well worth the little extra effort plus you can set it up for Silent Install and automatically insert the CD Key and Activate during install. Yes I've done Several for myself.

[Nightwrath]

Thanks Daemon, that's exactly what I'm doing right now, I already have the SP1 Slipstreamed in with the Updates. Again it would seem the numbers vary because for me I have 71 updates with all the criticals and recomended (that's including the SP1 counting as 1).

I'd need some help with the Drivers though, I've already extracted all the INF files for my Chipset but I'm now confused: Do I want to use the "ALL" ones or only the "WIN7" ones? Plus I see a .exe I can't really touch, its the "x64" (Difx64) is this a problem if it's not in the slipstream Drivers? Man I feel lost and have so much to learn! lol

Currently I'm fiddling with removing the language packs as well, I'm french but I always have my os in english and from what I understand the language packs are only for OS UI and not spellchecking and such so should be ok to remove the french one as well.

If you can stick around a bit or even send me a PM I'd like to go over some stuff with you maybe on an instant messenger? let me know, thanks.:)

BTW - Like your Sig, is she single? :p

[DaemonCantor]

Ok, getting down to business. I've never used an exe in a slipstream but what you want is the inf's and the driver files. Ideally you make your slipstream from a combination of an install DVD and you current installation, but you can't really do that because of the different Motherboards. So your going to need the uncompressed driver packages Like this
6453

This example directory shows what you got to get into the Windows install .msi package. once you have just the base packages that are like this you'll be fine because no mater how well you slipstream the OS, Windows on first boot is going to do an update plus when you restart your going to want to do updates as well just in case you missed something. After you get done with that you'll want to install all of those .exe installs and then do a final set of updates. What your really doing is cutting off a few hours of wait time. As to the language packs, I've never heard of any problems in removing them.

As to the number of updates not all are Security even though Microsoft has said they were. about half deal with the DRM's 1/4 is Security and the rest is Drivers and miscellaneous BS, but include all of the and any extras you can find.

Another thing I do is before I start installing games or anything else I go google up C++ Redistributables and install every one from 2005 32 and 64 bit all the way up to 2010 32 and 64bit then I do another update and install the .net4 Full install because your games and other software is going to need it anyways. Then I do a Full Shadow Copy for a recovery Disk Set.

And now your done.

Thank you about the sig. and if she's got a sister I couldn't tell ya she never talks to me anyways....lol

[Nightwrath]

Ok, I appreciate the pictures because it gave me the Idea to start explaining with them as well!:o

So for my first Screenshot here you'll find a list of all the updates the WUD - UL (Window Update Downloader - Update List) suggested and which I downloaded of course.

Currently, the SP1 (in green) and both the Critical and Important updates (in red) have been added to my First ISO.
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Now, The optional Updates and the Definition Update have not been integrated because they are .EXE files and RT7Lite can only take .MSU files for Update integration (Though making this screenshot made me realize 2 of the Optional updates are actually .MSU files... Guess I'll have to make a new .ISO with them integrated as well... Sigh).

Now that's the Basis, after that I went back Loaded that .ISO file and removed all the Language packs and saved that as my second .ISO.

And here is where I am at presently: I'm trying to gather up all Drivers I will be needing for this rig since RT7Lite allows you to Integrate Drivers under the .INF file type. I firstly Gathered my Chipset Driver, opened the .ZIP Driver package and started extracting the .INF files.

Now this is where I begin to lose myself. In the following screenshot you see the zip Package opened and you also see my Extract folder and all it's content. Now where I'm confused is which set of .INF files should I use? All or Windows7? also this one Folder containing the Difx64.exe... This file is an application so I don't think I can integrate it in my Slipstream. (I do not talk about the ia64 folder because it's for Itanium which to my understanding is a Server OS so I'm not using it).
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So this leave me with the question of how do I proceed? And other Drivers will surely have applications that I will want installed (take the GPU Drivers for example) so I'm not sure how to do this elegantly as obviously the next step once I had finished integrating all drivers would have been configuring an unattended install. I know there is a way to install applications in the Slipstream though it must be done Silently (with no User input) I was considering trying this for google Chrome) maybe I need to use this to install the Driver applications?

So you see where I stand and how I'm a little confused now. Hope you guys can help me out!;)

[DaemonCantor]

Ok the sad part is your going to need all of the drivers in that package because it picks and chooses from the exe file. so ya if you need it to install then your going to have to include the exe and run it under silent option...Myself I don't do this because of so many things can go wrong but there have been a lot of people the have with no problem. A good place to get info on Slipstreaming is My Digital Life's forums.

[Nightwrath]

Gah, I can't find much on Driver package integration on MyDigitalLife...:( I'll keep on looking though. Hope HiViz can help me out once he sees the thread. Back to researching for now. Thanks for your Help Deamon.

[DaemonCantor]

Always glad to help. Slipstreaming is pretty difficult to learn but in my opinion it's worth the effort if you build a lot of computers.

[VistaKing]

Take a look at Wincert.net forum. There is a pretty neat tool called Windows 7 Toolkit . It also could add silent application installs.

[HiVizMan]

USB3 stick install in USB3 port = FAIL for me. :(

[Nightwrath]

And this was with the USB 3.0 .INF files integrated into the slipstream install? Damn...:( That's sad news.

Well I'll still be able to install off a 2.0 port so not the end of the world. at this point though, Ive pretty much given up on integrating the drivers to the slipstream install. To advanced for me right now.

Still could use some advice on tweaks though if you have the time Hiviz. Thanks.:)

[ReliantPilot]

This is my first post and I am a beginner and in my mid-seventies. I decided to build the best rig for flight simming, so processor speed was very important. OCing seemed like a good idea. After all, how hard could it be? Well, I think I overestimated my abilities. And, as I discovered, it is hard. I installed an Asus ME4 B3 into a Cosmos 2 case and even got the Corsair H100 water cooler running without noise and using 4 CoolerMaster fans in push/pull blowing out at top. I have 2 EVGA GTX560Tis in SLI without problem, occupying 1st and 4th PCIE slots. My Asus wireless LAN card PCE-N13 is in slot 6. Slots 2 and 5 are of course covered by the GPUs. I want to install my Creative X-Fi SoundBlaster sound card in PCIE slot 3 because I want to take as much sound processing load off the mobo as possible. But, I cant get the mobo to recognize the sound card in slot 3. If I install the sound card in slot 6 instead of the wireless card, no problem, and the sound card works great. But, the wireless card doesnt work in slot 3. I want both cards installed. Is this possible? My power supply is a CoolerMaster Silent Pro Gold 1200Watt and "C" drive is on Crucial M4 256GB SSD and I also installed a second OCZ Agility3 240GB SSD for my flight sim. I'll use a 2 TB HDD in the hot swap bay for storage when needed. With 2 DVD drives and connection to the Cosmos 2 top/front panel, I'm quickly using up my 6 SATA ports. Is there any way to install more than 6 SATA drives? I think I may be in the wrong forum and if so, I apologize. I've been reading messages on this site for the last 2 weeks and have learned a lot, but I now think I have sensory overload. This has been somewhat confusing. Thanks for any help or direction.