A new gaming PC is exciting, but out of the box, most of them aren’t set up the way they should be. Windows is often months out of date, drivers aren’t current, and default settings aren’t optimised for gaming. Here’s what’s worth doing before you start installing games.
1. Run Windows Update immediately
Before anything else, go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and let it run to completion. New PCs often ship with Windows builds that are months old, and there can be multiple rounds of updates before you’re fully current. Restart when it asks you to, then check for updates again until nothing is left.
This matters for gaming specifically. Some driver updates and DirectX improvements come through Windows Update rather than through the GPU manufacturer.
2. Update your GPU drivers
The graphics card drivers that ship with a new PC are rarely current. Get the latest from the manufacturer directly:
- NVIDIA: Download GeForce Experience, which manages driver updates and also gives you access to game-specific settings
- AMD: Download AMD Radeon Software (Adrenalin Edition)
- Intel Arc: Download Intel Arc Control
After installing the new drivers, restart your PC before launching any games.
3. Install your storage and check your drives are recognised
If you bought a PC with multiple drives (a smaller SSD for Windows and a larger HDD or second SSD for games), check that all drives are showing up before you start installing anything. Open File Explorer and you should see all your drives listed. If a drive is missing, it may need initialising in Disk Management (right-click Start, then Disk Management).
4. Set up your game platforms
Install whichever platforms you use (Steam, Epic Games Store, EA App, Battle.net, Xbox App) and sign into your accounts. Make sure two-factor authentication is enabled on all of them. Gaming accounts are a common target for hackers, and recovering a compromised account can take weeks.
If you’re migrating from another PC, check whether your existing game library and saves will transfer. Most platforms sync saves to the cloud automatically, but some games don’t. Check before assuming.
5. Change your power plan
Windows defaults to a balanced or power-saving mode that throttles CPU performance when it’s not under load. For gaming, set it to High Performance:
Settings > System > Power & sleep > Additional power settings > High Performance
If you have a modern AMD Ryzen CPU, there may also be an AMD Ryzen High Performance option. Use that instead of the generic Windows one.
6. Enable XMP or EXPO in your BIOS
This is one of the most commonly skipped steps and it makes a real difference. RAM ships at a conservative default speed regardless of what it’s rated for. To run it at its advertised speed, you need to enable XMP (on Intel systems) or EXPO (on AMD systems) in your BIOS.
Restart your PC and press Delete or F2 during startup to enter the BIOS (the exact key varies, so watch the screen as it boots). Look for a setting called XMP, DOCP, or EXPO and enable it. Save and exit. Your RAM will now run at the speed you paid for.
7. Set up a wired connection if you can
WiFi has improved a lot, but for gaming a wired ethernet connection is still more reliable: lower latency, more consistent speeds, fewer disconnects. If your router is in a different room, a powerline adapter (which runs your connection through the house’s electrical wiring) is a good middle ground.
If WiFi is your only option, connect to the 5GHz band rather than 2.4GHz for better performance in games.
8. Sort your peripheral software
Gaming mice, keyboards, and headsets often come with manufacturer software for remapping buttons, setting DPI, and configuring lighting. Install these one at a time rather than all at once, as some conflict with each other. Common ones include Razer Synapse, Logitech G HUB, Corsair iCUE, and SteelSeries GG.
If you’d rather have someone come and do all of this properly (including checking your network, updating drivers, and making sure everything is configured for best performance), I help with gaming PC setup across Falkirk and Central Scotland.
Find out more about gaming PC help in Falkirk, or call 07944 156 453. No fix, no fee, 7 days a week.
Falkirk Tech Help – friendly in-home tech support across Falkirk and Central Scotland.