This is in regard to my upcoming PC build, I have the following hardware which I assume will need updated BIOS, Drivers and such:

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge

GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD

LG DVD Burner GH24NS90 - OEM

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB

Are there any BIOS, Driver or Firmware issues I should know about with these? Like are there certain BIOS, Drivers and such I shouldn't use? Also, I assume I need a USB Flash Drive for the BIOS. I have a 2GB, a high speed 8GB and a high speed 16GB made by SanDisk, will those do?

The only one you'll want to grab the newest drivers for are the GPU. You shouldn't flash the motherboard BIOS unless it's to fix a clear and outstanding problem (since if you mess it up you can brick the motherboard, and it just isn't worth that risk unless there's a problem that really needs solving). The rest of the components simply don't have or don't need any firmware updates.

I see. I thought I had read somewhere about not using a new BIOS unless necessary but I wanted to double check. All of my parts are on their way so they should be here early next week. Thanks again DarrkPhoenix.

You really don't need to 'prepare' yourself before installing the OS. Updating the firmware should not do anything that would damage your OS installation.

Oh, and as long as you have a stable current going in the machine, so that the power doesn't die during the updating process, installing new firmware versions should be perfectly safe.

Nice tip, but I think i'll play it safe and update firmware after getting stuff up and running if possible just in case.

About the GPU driver, should I use the install disc that comes with the GPU first or just skip it and use the updated driver instead?

Forget the discs. Always download the latest one from NVidia's / AMD's / Intel's website.

Skip it. When you install Windows, it will automatically use a generic driver. Just install the new, latest version and skip what's on the CD. They're always out of date.

I thought so. Thanks Elenarie and Coelocanth.

Which of these motherboard drivers do I need? (Win 7 64-bit)

I imagine I need the audio, chipset, USB 3.0 and possibly VGA and LAN (not sure), but i'm not sure which ones of the audio and chipset I need.

As for the GPU, should I get the GPU driver from Nvidia or Gigabyte? Which would be more reliable and less likely to screw things up?

For the chipset you need "Intel INF installation". You will find some information about "Intel Management Engine Interface" in the link:

http://www.w7forums.com/intel-management-engine-interface-t8962.html

For the audio you need the Realtek driver. The Creative one is specifically for "Support for X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity® and EAX® Advanced HD™ 5.0 technologies". I don't think installing both will cause problems, but if you aren't sure install Realtek first and watch a video/listen to music/play a game. If there's nothing wrong with the sound you're set. If there is, then install the Creative one too.

For the GPU I always get drivers from Nvidia (or Ati/AMD respectively) since they are the ones that actually make the drivers and always have the latest ones. Gigabyte just hosts them.

Generally speaking, a company won't include drivers you don't need - though they might bundle useless software. If your install disk lets you see a list of the drivers that you can install, it's a safe bet to copy the list somewhere and then download the latest versions of the same drivers from gigabyte.us.

So I should probably avoid the Intel Management Engine Interface for security reasons unless I absolutely need it.

Does Nvidia have a separate manager driver (an equivalent to AMD's Catalyst Control Center) that I need or is that included with the driver?

Nvidia's driver is all-in-one.

Also the optimum way to have your storage controllers set up under win7 with that hardware would be AHCI. The nice part about Win7 is that this can be done after the OS is installed (unlike XP) by:

1. install driver
2. Change storage controller setting in BIOS
3. Change registry setting in windows

The key "Start" should have a value of 0 as demonstrated in pic. If that key is correct and the appropriate BIOS settings are enabled, AHCI mode should be enabled.

Edit: AHCI can be done at OS install but would be easier to install windows in regular SATA or PATA emulation mode first (basically a mode where windows already has the drivers on the disc).

Assuming you're getting Windows 7, that will take care of most of the driver updates itself. You'll have driver CDs that will make sure everything is working properly.

The only ones you'll really need to download are for the GPU. As stated by others, don't flash the BIOS unless you believe there are definite benefits for doing so. Always check the manufacturer's forums for the best methodology with that brand. Some ways work better than others and it varies from brand to brand.

I'll get to that when I start the thread for walkthrough help in building and setting up my PC, but I assume that relates to HDD and such? What are the pros and cons of using AHCI versus the standard setting?
Well, I don't really want to connect to the internet and have Windows find the drivers automatically because I won't have the anit-virus software installed yet. That's why i'm planning on storing the drivers on a flash drive and using the flash drive to transfer the drivers to my new PC if that's possible.