Driver Overview

• Drivers are small software programs that control a hardware device. Motherboard drivers allow the system to communicate with the various hardware components while the computer is running. Each motherboard driver is specific to the motherboard and chipset it runs. Drivers are loaded by the operating system when the computer starts. They are provided on a CD that ships with the motherboard.
  
  

Northbridge Driver

• The Northbridge chipset driver controls the core functions of the motherboard, including the processor, memory and expansion slots. Northbridge chipsets are manufactured by Nvidia, AMD, Intel and others.
  
  

Southbridge Driver

• The Southbridge chipset driver controls peripheral functions of the motherboard such as disk drive controllers, USB controllers and integrated audio. The Southbridge driver is usually combined with the Northbridge driver because both normally come from the same manufacturer and they work together.
  
  

Additional Motherboard Drivers

• Depending on the peripherals installed on the motherboard, you may need to install additional drivers for things like integrated video. These will be provided on your motherboard driver CD or with hardware upgrades that you subsequently purchase and install.