Hello all!

I would like some help regarding drivers for my SSD and consequently BIOS settings based on the driver.

So I have been experiencing random freezing and crashing for a while. Think it has to do with the SSD/Mobo/Driver combination.
My mobo has 4 sata ports, all Intel. I was told to install this driver, from the ASUS page:

Intel AHCI/RAID Driver Path for Windows Win8.1 32bit & Win8.1 64bit.
Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver software V12.8.0.1016 for Windows Win8.1 64bit---(WHQL).
Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver software V12.8.0.1016 for Windows Win8.1 32bit---(WHQL)
 

Now the freezing is very random and even though so far nothing happened (3 days only), I would like to double-check if I have everything setup alright.

1- Is that driver version correct? Should I always use the driver from the mobo's page or can I update it?
2- Should I enable the Intel Rapid Storage option in the BIOS, since I have the driver with the same name?
3- Can I disable Link State Power Management in the intel's driver options? Heard it might cause some problems.
4- In Device Manager, how to I check correctly if it is intel rapid storage driver the one being used and not other random/generic one?


Thanks in advance and sorry for the noob questions. This is hard.

Thanks a lot Mr. Fernando!

You were very clear with your reply.

Taking advantage of the thread, let me ask you. Should I take the same approach regarding other system drivers, like chipset, lan and sound driver, regarding installing always the most up to date ones?

Also, as it's probably related, can I keep all the CPU Power Management options set to "enabled" in the BIOS?
Aaaaaaaaand under windows 8.1 power settings, should I disable that link state thingy too, or the one in intel's drivers already overrides the windows one?

Fernando, you've been extremely helpful! People like you are definitely in need nowadays!

I do have one last concern:

I'm planning on upgrading to windows 10 to pair it up with my soon-to-be samsung 850 evo ssd. So I went back to ASUS' windows 10 download section only to find out a couple of "inconsistencies".

It says the chipset driver is in beta version and is not WHQL. I did read your words about chipsets but even though, would installing that turn out to be a problem?

Secondly, there are no LAN or SATA drivers available for download. Does that mean windows 10 will download functional drivers for my mobo by itself?
And regarding the IRST driver, are your recommended drivers compatible with windows 10/my mobo, in case windows doesnt automatically install an intel one?

Finally, how can I be sure my mobo is compatible in general with windows 10?

Okay, good to know that!

When you say the IRST V12.8.0.1016 works, but isn't the best when compared to v13.1.0.1058, do you mean stability, performance, new features or what? Anything I'll feel the difference in practice?