If you’ve just purchased a new pre-built gaming PC, then there may be a few updates and drivers you may want to check to see if they’re up to date. This includes your Windows being the latest build or version, graphics card drivers which could be either NVIDIA or AMD depending on what model was built within your system, motherboard BIOS version, utility software and chipset drivers. Updating the following will ensure that your system has improved stability which eventually can lead to real-time performance being improved during gaming or normal workload utilizations. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to perform the following updates, even if there is a specific manufacturer model within your system.
Firstly, Windows updates are entirely necessary to ensure performance and stability, it’s always good to get rid of that pending Windows update notification as well if there is one.
To get your system to the latest version, head to Windows Update Settings under system settings (can be accessed via WinKey and typing in Windows Update). Once you’ve got the window open, hit check for updates and let it run for a bit. If you’re not on the latest available version, it should find a compatible version and start downloading. You’ll get the option to restart as soon as it’s downloaded and pending restart or to schedule the restart for a time later. Once the system does update, you can go back to Windows Update and search again to make sure there isn’t anything newer that you may have access to now and eventually you’ll be up to date. You will get further information on when a newer windows version is available in the future, it’s probably best to check the Windows Update section within system settings every month or so to ensure that you’re updated to the very latest version.
Secondly, graphics card drivers are important for gamers to ensure they’re getting the best performance out of their graphics cards. Newer, updated drivers come out every so often and are usually advertised to offer support for newer released games when released to the PC platform. With the updated drivers, also comes stability updates for previous and current generational graphics cards, therefore it’s very important to keep your system up to date to ensure that your gaming experience is as stable as it can be.
For NVIDIA, updating the currently installed driver can be done by logging into GeForce Experience, selecting the drivers tab and hitting download. Once the driver is downloaded, you can then hit install, once completed a restart of the system is recommended.
For AMD graphics cards, Radeon software is their equivalent of GeForce Experience. However, Radeon does not require you to log in to install drivers or change settings which is a plus. To do this, you’ll want to head to the Drivers & Software tab near the top right, hit download and then install once downloaded. Once fully installed, a restart is recommended as the software will prompt you to do so.
Thirdly, chipset drivers are beneficial for a system’s stability and if not installed, may affect features of your installed motherboard. Chipset drivers can be found on the motherboard’s manufacturer page, it is recommended to install this instead of letting Windows use the generic windows driver.
To get access to this, please confirm the model of your motherboard within your system. This model name of your motherboard on it, through software like Speccy or within BIOS. Once you’ve found the model, find the manufacturer page, head to support and download the latest version of the chipset driver.
While you’re on the motherboard’s manufacturer page, you may also want to look at which utility software is offered. Your motherboard may have RGB or LED lighting, therefore we recommend installing the compatible software above. Specifically for ASUS motherboards, AURA sync can be found within Armoury Crate, therefore, we recommend downloading that to get full access. Other motherboard brands like MSI, Gigabyte and ASRock may have individual programs for their lighting control, therefore we recommend installing them if you want to have that specific customisation over your system. Please do note that not every motherboard will be compatible with this software, you’ll be able to see it within the support page under utilities if it is compatible with your motherboard.
Lastly, making sure that your BIOS is updated is crucial for component compatibility if you plan on upgrading a certain component within your system (specifically CPU).
You will have the ability to update your BIOS through either in-built BIOS updating tools (EzFlash within ASUS motherboards) within the motherboard BIOS. Please do note that this with either involve you having to create a FAT32 formatted USB and have the latest BIOS file on it to update the BIOS manually or you can be connected via an Ethernet LAN cable to update the BIOS via the internet within the in-built BIOS software. Motherboard’s manufacturers may also offer BIOS updating tools for use within the operating system, for example, this is available on some ASUS motherboards in which use a Windows BIOS Flash Utility program which allows BIOS flashing within Windows and only needs a reboot once done.
To finalise, we believe that keeping your system up to date, which includes the previous sections discussed, is very important. Your system can still run fine without updating and, understandably, many people may feel a bit reluctant in updating certain drivers due to potential faults that can appear, however, if you are wanting the best stability and performance with your system, then it’s recommended to manage your system’s updates as regularly as possible.
