Hi, y'all,

I just want to remind y'all about updating your basic system drivers frequently. I just used a commercial driver-updater program and it made a huge difference on my system.

Earlier, the Windows start-up logo (with the flying and merging windows) went on some seconds after the merge. Now it doesn't even get to the point of merging before it's done. A clear cut on boot-up time, which means, I'm sure, also a big difference on disk-heavy activities.

I used to think "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" --- and I also thought I already had relatively new drivers on my system, thus not expecting a big change after the procedure. But boy, was I surprised.

The difference probably is due to the fact I'm using SSD's and the system drivers were not yet optimized for them, but that's only speculation.

Anyway, my rig is basically: Intel i5-2405, ASUS P8P67, 8 Gb, Win7 Ultimate 64bit, OCZ Vertex 3 Max I/O 120 Gb

On a custom built system generally the driver sweeper or whatever program is OK.  On a factory built PC such as a Dell who uses custom OEM motherboards on many systems, there are some devices that need a Dell specific driver (e.g. Integrated Audio) or the device will not work or work correctly.  Usually the driver update programs will not point to PC Vendor (e.g. Dell) specific drivers.

Usually the driver update programs will not point to PC Vendor

Yes, and steering a purchaser to one of these pay-for-subscription drive update programs seems to be replacing the manufacturer's web site support for drivers. I recently bought a major maker MB, and when I went to their website to check for updates,  they steered me to DriverAgent. Apparently they are trying to lay off support costs for updating their products drivers onto a pay-to-use service. I do not have much confidence in DriverAgent, and am beginning to lose confidence in the MB maker as well. Very lame.