Noob questions: how/when to update MAME (and to which version)

[needles]

I'm still quite new to emulators, but have been progressing my HS build and now realise I've always installed MAME from scratch in the past (due to inactivity) and don't know how to "update" my existing install. I'm currently running 0.161 x64 (on WIndows 8.1) and use RocketLauncher, RLUI and HyperSpin.

 

Is it as simple as downloading the 0.162 x64 binary and only overwriting the "mame64.exe" file (and leaving the rest of my existing install unchanged?) I understand my roms would need to be updated for closer matching, etc. Is there also any reason I should hold off updating from a HyperSpin view? (eg. I know the XML is based on 0.161... will the RL AHK still work okay? Or should I wait for an update here?)

 

 

I also noticed the Jumpstile builds in the Platinum section:

 

MAME .162 x64 NoNag+HiScore+UIFXtras+Autofire.exe

MAME .162 x64 NoNag+HiScore+UIFXtras+Autofire+DirectInput.exe

 

I have a vague idea of what the NoNag and HiScore parts are about (but happy to be enlightened or pointed to any links explaining this)... the UIFXtras seems to be for extra unofficial games/features (which I'm not bothered about)... Autofire seems self explanatory... but what is difference with DirectInput?

 

 

Setting up clean installs is one thing... updating is clearly a new challenge... without breaking my clean/working install

 

Thanks