Getting Started

We recommend this setup procedure for all benchmarking under Microsoft* Windows* Vista* Ultimate Edition.

• Always start with a clean, formatted hard disk.

• If your motherboard supports raid configurations with Intel® Matrix Storage Technology, then set the hard drive configuration in the bios to RAID to make your system raid-ready. Using this setting in conjunction with the Intel® Matrix Storage Driver can provide better system performance because features like Native Command Queuing and I/O request sorting will be enabled even with a single hard drive installed in the system.

• Set your system to boot from CD/DVD drive in the bios.

• Begin installation Windows* Vista* Ultimate Edition* from the operating system CD.

• Format the file system to NTFS during installation if the drive if you have not already done so.

• After installation of the OS is complete restart your system.

• Immediately after installing the Windows* Vista* operating system, install the latest INF files to allow the operating system to recognize the chipset and all the components on the motherboard. The INF file can be downloaded from the chipset software link at http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Support_Intel.aspx?lang=eng

• Install the latest Intel® Matrix Storage Manager. The install file can be downloaded from the chipset software link at http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df-external/Support_Intel.aspx?lang=eng . (note: Windows* Vista* installs the basic driver for Intel Matrix Storage, and you should update the driver once the OS boots up.) The Intel® Matrix Storage Driver can provide better system performance because features like Native Command. Some system benchmarks with an I/O component, like BAPCo* SYSmark*, may show increased performance with the Intel Matrix Storage Driver installed and the system set to raid-ready.

• Install the Intel integrated sound driver from http://support.intel.com or from your motherboard CD.

• Install the latest LAN driver from http://support.intel.com.

• Download and Install the latest Windows* Vista* graphics driver for your graphics card from the manufacturer website.