There’s an electrifying moment when you boot up your brand new gaming PC for the first time. I vividly recall my inaugural build—there was frustration, a few choice words while grappling with power cables, followed by the exhilarating triumph of pressing that power button and hearing the system hum to life.
If you’ve just powered up your new PC, there are several essential checks you should perform to ensure optimal performance. This guide is tailored for beginners, focusing on straightforward, actionable advice that can significantly enhance your PC’s operation.
1. Check Your Monitor’s Resolution and Refresh Rate
If your new setup includes a high-refresh-rate gaming monitor, it’s crucial to verify that the correct settings are activated in Windows. By default, the refresh rate may be capped at 60Hz, limiting your performance.
Here’s how to adjust these settings in Windows 11:
- In an Nvidia-powered system (assuming you have an Nvidia graphics card), right-click on your desktop. Go to “Show more options” and select “NVIDIA Control Panel.”
- On the left navigation menu, select “Change resolution” under the Display category.
- Ensure you’ve selected the correct monitor (if you have multiple), check the display resolution, and increase the “Refresh rate” to the maximum available setting.
For non-NVIDIA graphics cards, change the display settings directly in Windows:
- Open the taskbar’s search menu, type “display,” and click on “Display settings.”
- Select the appropriate monitor, then adjust both the “Display resolution” and the “Choose a refresh rate” in the Advanced display settings.
A high refresh rate is vital for a competitive advantage in FPS games like Counter-Strike 2 and Rocket League.
2. Get Rid of Bloatware
Windows 11 has its strengths, but one of its major drawbacks is the presence of bloatware—unwanted applications that can clutter your system and slow down performance.
To enhance your PC’s efficiency, follow this easy guide to find and uninstall bloatware:
3. Install and Update Your Drivers
Ensuring your drivers are current is crucial for the optimal functioning of your setup. Graphics card and peripheral drivers are the most important to check.
For Nvidia graphics cards, open the Nvidia app (if pre-installed or download from their website) and follow these steps:
- When prompted, choose “Game Ready Driver” for gaming purposes.
- Navigate to the Drivers section and download the latest version.
Once the installation is complete, restart your PC. If you’re using AMD Radeon GPUs, visit AMD’s Drivers and Support page to download the latest drivers.
4. Familiarize Yourself with Task Manager
Windows Task Manager is not just for closing stubborn applications. It’s a handy tool for checking running processes and system performance.
Launch Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar, then select Task Manager. Here’s how you can use it:
- Check CPU usage and memory consumption.
- Identify which drives are being used and monitor GPU temperature.
This can also assist in managing the next crucial check—Windows startup apps.
5. Check Windows Startup Apps
Startup apps run automatically upon signing into your PC. While some are useful (like Steam), others can be cumbersome.
To manage these applications:
- Access the Startup apps tab in Task Manager or through the Windows settings by searching “startup.”
- Toggle the applications you want to enable or disable.
Disabling unnecessary startup apps can notably speed up boot time.
6. Set Your Default Audio Devices
Windows often needs a nudge when it comes to default audio settings. To ensure your preferred audio device, such as gaming headphones, is set correctly:
- Type “manage output” in the taskbar’s search menu and select “Manage output sound devices.”
- Identify your main audio device and set it as the default.
Also, ensure your microphone is set as the default input device if necessary.
7. Run Some Benchmarks
Now that everything is set up, the final step is to run benchmarks. This helps you assess your system’s performance in various applications and games.
Utilize benchmarking software to evaluate your graphics card and overall system performance. Many games also offer built-in benchmarks for this purpose.
With these steps completed, your new Windows gaming PC should be set to deliver a compelling gaming experience. For more insights and tips, check the detailed guide Here.
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