confused about Asus drivers for Z890 board

[Codrut]

I am going to receive tomorrow an Asus ProArt Z890 Creator WiFi board and a Core 9 Ultra 285k CPU. I am and I always confused by which drivers do I need to install. I don't want to use the Asus utility.

If I am going to the motherboard support page I can see so many confusing drivers which I need. I filtered here only the Intel drivers and I would like someone to clarify which drivers do I need and which not. I know this is not Asus support but I am hoping Intel forums are better.

So here is the list of available drivers and my comments:

Category LAN

1. Intel(R) I226 Gigabit Ethernet Driver V2.1.4.3 for for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 2.1.4.3
7.68 MB
2024/10/14

2. Intel I225/I226 NDIS driver V 1.1.4.43 for Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11 64-bit.
Version 1.1.4.43
2.53 MB
2024/08/07

Q: Which one do I need? I suppose the latest one the big jump from 1.1.4.43 to 2.1.4.3 is a bit suspect.

Category Wireless

1. Intel(R) Wi-Fi Driver V23.60.1.2 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 23.60.1.2
84.05 MB
2024/10/14

A: This one is clear!

Category Chipset

1. Intel Management Engine Interface V2452.7.1.0 (SW 2501.7.7.0) for Windows 10/11 64-bit.
Version 2452.7.1.0
886.18 MB
2025/02/14

Q: I suppose I need this one. But what is Intel Management Engine Interface?

2. Intel Chipset Driver V10.1.20020.8623 for Windows 10/11 64-bit.
Version 10.1.20020.8623
75.31 MB
2025/02/14

Q: I suppose I also need this one

3. Intel DTT Driver-9.0.11903.52187(Ipf driver V2.2.10203.4)
Version 2.2.10203.4
33.16 MB
2024/11/29

Q: I suppose this is the Dynamic Tuning Technology driver and I need it. Not sure what DTT is.

4. Intel MEI V2433.6.3.0 for Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11 64-bit.
Version 2433.6.3.0
600.69 MB
2024/11/14

Q: I supposed I don't need this one as I am going to use Intel Management Engine Interface V2452.7.1.0

5. Intel Dynamic Tuning Driver v2.2.10202.6 for Windows10, Windows11 64-bit.
Version 2.2.10202.6
32.79 MB
2024/11/14

Q: I suppose I need the one above Intel DTT Driver-9.0.11903.52187 but wait, this one is Version 2.2.10202.6. So confusing.... Do I need this one as well?

6. Intel chipset driver V10.1.19913.8607 for Windows 10 64-bit and Windows 11 64-bit.
Version 10.1.19913.8607
118.01 MB
2024/11/14

Q: Probably I need also this one.

7. Intel(R) Dynamic Tuning Technology Driver V9.0.11703.48565 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 9.0.11703.48565
31.76 MB
2024/10/14

A: This one I probably don't need as I have two DTT drivers above.

8. Intel(R) NPU Driver V32.0.100.2820 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 32.0.100.2820
65.78 MB
2024/10/14

Q: This one seems to be related to the new AI stuff from the Core Ultra CPUs so I am going to install it.

9. Intel(R) Serial IO V30.100.2419.23 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 30.100.2419.23
17.64 MB
2024/10/14

Q: I probably need this one also. Is this related to the COM ports? Surprisingly my motherboard has a COM port.

10. Intel(R) GNA Scoring Accelerator module V3.5.0.1578 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 3.5.0.1578
2.32 MB
2024/10/14

Q: What is this? Do I need this as well?

11. Intel(R) Platform Monitoring Technology Driver V3.1.2.6 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 3.1.2.6
2.38 MB
2024/10/14

Q: I don't know if I need this, what is this monitoring?

12. Intel(R) Management Engine Interface V2433.6.3.0(Package V2435.6.36.0) for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 2433.6.3.0
853.24 MB
2024/10/14

A: I probably don't need it as I have a newer version above.

13. Intel(R) HID Event Filter Driver V2.2.2.10 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 2.2.2.10
2.33 MB
2024/10/14

Q: What is this HID (human interface device)? This is for webcams, right? Do I need it?

14. Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility V10.1.19913.8607 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 10.1.19913.8607
7.42 MB
2024/10/14

Q: What is this utility doing? Do I need it?

Category VGA Drivers

Intel Graphics Accelerator Driver V32.0.101.6127 for Windows 10/11 64-bit.
Version 32.0.101.6127
991.8 MB
2024/11/21

A: I suppose I need this one as it is the latest.

Intel(R) Graphics Accelerator Driver V32.0.101.5866 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 32.0.101.5866
1.03 GB
2024/10/14

A: Don't need it as there is a newer one above.

Category Bluetooth

Intel(R) Bluetooth Driver V23.60.0.1 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 23.60.0.1
6.96 MB
2024/10/14

A: Only one so I need it.

Category SATA

Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology Driver V20.2.1.1016 for Windows 11 64-bit.(WHQL)
Version 20.2.1.1016
26.01 MB
2024/12/26

Q: I suppose I need this as well as I also have a mechanical disk attached via SATA.

Many thanks in advance for whoever can clarify these question!

[pressed_for_time · Accepted solution]

EDIT: I see that you don't want to use the ASUS utility - DriverHub, a web based utility that can be accessed through this web page . 

So, basically start by installing the latest version of the Intel chipset driver, then the Intel Intel Management Engine (ME) Interface in that order. I would recommend that these two drivers are installed before updating to the latest BIOS. The BIOS will also update the Intel ME firmware, there is a separate updater to do this but updating it as part of the BIOS update is easier.

Follow this with the Serial IO driver, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NPU and both LAN drivers - I don't have NDIS on my ASUS motherboard driver list - but it won't do any harm to install the NDIS driver.

HID Event Filter Driver, this seems to be for USB devices of any form including keyboards and mice. So may be easier to install it and avoid missing driver alerts in Control Panel.

The Rapid Storage Technology Driver is not needed unless a RAID array is planned. VGA driver, install the latest one if the iGPU is going to be used. Be aware that if a discrete graphics card is installed the ASUS BIOS may disable the iGPU as standard. It is possible to have the iGPU and a discrete GPU active at the same time with the correct BIOS settings.

Intel DTT Driver, DTT on desktop motherboards is primarily for optimizing game settings. Unless you are planning to do some gaming it is not necessary to install it. GNA Scoring Accelerator module and Intel(R) Platform Monitoring Technology Drive. Unlikely that you will need these.

The other issue here is that as well as installing drivers to support these features it may also be necessary to alter BIOS settings as well. For example GNA is normally set to Disabled in the BIOS, and DTT is as well. Installing the driver will not alter the BIOS settings.

You may be getting a prompt to install Armory Crate. There is a BIOS setting that will disable this.

Check the Control Panel for any sign of missing drivers.

[1-frustrated-guy]

I just built the same unit with X890 with intent of using the onboard Ultra 9 Graphics engine.  When I installed the latest graphics driver from Intel, the screen went black and there was no recovery other than reinstalling Windows 11 and accepting a very low resolution.  Do you have a discrete graphics board or are you using the onboard graphics?  Please reply.  

[suntanjam]

I'm using the Proart Z790. In almost every case I would recommend going with a seperate video card. It all depends on what your plans are for your new build. Gaming, Video editing, etc.