Your first gaming PC: the setup checklist
Just got a gaming PC? Everything to do in your first hour: drivers, Windows settings, monitor refresh rate, launchers and staying safe.
Congrats on the new rig! Before you dive in, spend an hour on this checklist. It fixes the most common “why does my expensive PC feel slow?” problems.
1. Plug the monitor into the graphics card
The #1 beginner mistake: plugging your monitor into the motherboard's video port instead of the GPU's ports (lower down on the back, usually horizontal). If you do, you're using integrated graphics (or nothing).
2. Set your monitor's refresh rate
Paid for 144 Hz? Windows often defaults to 60 Hz. Go to Settings → System → Display → Advanced display → Choose a refresh rate and pick the highest value. Use a DisplayPort cable (or HDMI 2.1) for high refresh rates.
3. Update Windows, then install official drivers
- Run Windows Update until it's clean.
- Install your GPU driver from the official site: NVIDIA App, AMD Adrenalin or Intel Arc.
- Install chipset drivers from your motherboard vendor or AMD/Intel.
4. Check your RAM is running at its rated speed
Many PCs ship with memory running slower than advertised. Open CPU-Z → Memory tab. If the speed is far below the kit's rating, enable XMP (Intel) or EXPO (AMD) in the BIOS. Note that CPU-Z shows half the “MT/s” number (DDR = double data rate).
5. Install your launchers
Steam, Epic (free games weekly!), Xbox app for Game Pass, and any others you need. Only from the official links.
6. Lock down your accounts
- Turn on 2FA everywhere: Steam Guard, Epic 2FA, Battle.net Authenticator.
- Never log in through a link someone sends you in chat, especially “free skins” or “vote for my team” links.
7. Basic Windows tweaks
- Settings → Gaming → Game Mode: On.
- Laptops: plug in and use a performance power mode, and make sure games use the dedicated GPU (Settings → Display → Graphics).
- Uninstall bloatware trials you don't use.
8. Check temps once
Run a demanding game for 15 minutes with HWiNFO or MSI Afterburner open. GPU temps in the 60s–80s °C under load are typical. If something is near its thermal limit, check that fans are spinning and the side panel isn't choking airflow.
9. Learn your settings
Read our graphics settings basics. Expect one-time shader compiling in new games.
10. Personalize ShaderWait
Pick your games and platforms and we'll keep driver and patch news for your setup in one place.