I'm building my first PC this weekend, and I'm starting completely from scratch. I've got an AMD Ryzen 7800 X3D processor, a Geforce RTX 5070 ti graphics card, and an Alienware OLED monitor. When I boot it up for the first time, what are the first steps I should take? I'd love some advice on essential software to install, any necessary protection for my online privacy, and maybe even recommendations for games to try out. Here are my full specs: CPU: Ryzen 7800 X3D, Cooler: Noctua NH-D15, Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B650-A ATX AM5, Memory: Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB DDR5-6000, Storage: Acer Predator 2 TB SSD + 1 TB SSD, Video Card: Geforce RTX 5070 ti, Case: Fractal Design North Mid Tower, Power Supply: Rosewill CMG1000G5 1,000W 80+ Gold, Case Fan: ID-Cooling XF-12025 Trio 62 CFM 120 mm, Monitor: Alienware AW2725DF 2560 x 1440 360 Hz.
3 Answers
First, make sure to enable the EXPO memory settings in your BIOS for optimal performance. Then, I recommend heading to ninite.com to easily download a bunch of essential software at once—just pick what you need! As for antivirus, many people are satisfied with Microsoft Defender built into Windows, so you might not need anything extra unless you're particularly concerned about privacy. In that case, consider getting a paid VPN.
Check out some helpful YouTube videos for first-time setups—they're way more informative than just reading! I usually watch a couple to get different perspectives on the setup process. Remember to remove any bootable media once Windows is installed, and don't worry about installing extra motherboard software right away. Just focus on getting everything updated before you start gaming!
It's great that you're going all out with your build! Make sure to load Windows 11 on a USB stick if you haven't already. When setting up, be careful not to use an online account initially, and be sure to perform all the Windows updates, including optional ones. It might also be worthwhile to check if your motherboard or GPU has the latest drivers before diving into games.
Thanks for the heads up! I really appreciate the guidance on the Windows setup and updates.
Yeah, those videos really help with understanding the flow! I always put them on at 1.5x speed to get through them quicker.