I'm about to build my first gaming PC and I'm excited to get everything running. I'm comfortable using computers once they're set up, but I've never handled the first boot, BIOS configuration, or Windows installation myself. I've found a lot of conflicting advice online, so I'm looking for a reliable step-by-step guide or a list of important setup tips. I'll be installing Windows and mainly want the system fully operational before experimenting with advanced settings later.
3 Answers
For Windows, use Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool with an empty USB drive of at least 8 GB to create an installation drive. Before building or installing Windows, download the latest motherboard and graphics-card drivers from their manufacturers and copy them to a USB drive. After Windows is installed, run those drivers manually because the versions supplied automatically may be generic or outdated. You may also want to create a Microsoft account beforehand if the installer requires one.
Don’t feel pressured to use the most expensive storage available. A PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive is already extremely fast for Windows and gaming, while a PCIe 5.0 model may cost much more without making a noticeable difference. If you need more room, consider a smaller fast drive for Windows and a larger, less expensive SSD for games and files. A secondary SATA hard drive can also work well for bulk storage.
Start with the motherboard manual and keep it nearby during the first boot. It explains the correct slots, BIOS options, boot menu, and troubleshooting indicators. A recent, reputable PC-building video guide can also help, but the manual should be your primary reference.
It’s also worth checking the motherboard manufacturer’s support page for BIOS updates and installation notes specific to your board, rather than relying on generic guides.