How to Set Up a New Prebuilt Gaming PC

Unboxing and placing the tower

When the box arrives, set it on a flat, stable surface and open the top flaps. Lift the tower out by its edges or the handles if the case has them; avoid grabbing the front panel or any glass side. Remove the foam and plastic wrap, then set the tower upright. Keep the box and foam for a while in case you need to move the PC later.

Place the tower on a desk or a sturdy stand with room around the vents. A prebuilt gaming PC pulls in cool air from the front and bottom and pushes warm air out the back and top, so leave a few inches of clearance on all sides. Do not put the tower in an enclosed cabinet or directly on carpet, which can block airflow. A hard floor or a small riser works well.

Before connecting anything, check the rear panel for a sticker or label that lists the ports and the graphics card outputs. This label is useful when you are identifying which ports belong to the graphics card and which belong to the motherboard.

Connecting the monitor

The most important cable connection is the display cable. A prebuilt gaming PC has two sets of video outputs: one set on the motherboard near the USB ports and another set lower down on the graphics card. Always connect the monitor to the graphics card outputs, because the graphics card handles the rendering for games. Plugging into the motherboard would use the CPU's integrated graphics, which is not designed for gaming performance.

Use the cable that came with the monitor or the one included with the PC. Most modern gaming monitors and graphics cards use DisplayPort or HDMI. Check the ports on both the monitor and the graphics card, then connect the cable firmly. If the monitor has multiple inputs, select the correct input source using the monitor's on-screen menu.

If you have a high-refresh-rate monitor, you may need to set the refresh rate in Windows after the drivers are installed. The default might be lower than the monitor's maximum. You can change it later in Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. For more on choosing a monitor, see the best 1440p gaming monitors guide.

Connecting peripherals

Plug in the keyboard and mouse. Wired peripherals connect to the USB ports on the back of the tower, which are directly on the motherboard and offer the most stable connection. Wireless peripherals use a USB receiver or Bluetooth; for a receiver, plug it into a USB port on the back for the best signal. If you have a wireless keyboard and mouse, make sure they are charged or have fresh batteries before first boot.

Connect a headset to the audio jacks on the front or back of the tower. The front panel typically has a headphone jack and a microphone jack, while the back panel has color-coded audio ports. For USB headsets, plug into any USB port. If you use a separate microphone, connect it to the pink mic jack or a USB port.

If you have other peripherals like a controller, racing wheel, or webcam, connect them now or later. The USB ports on the back are usually faster and more reliable for high-bandwidth devices. For more on choosing a keyboard and mouse, see the best gaming keyboards and best gaming mice guides.

First boot and Windows setup

With the monitor and peripherals connected, plug the power cable into the back of the tower and then into a wall outlet or surge protector. Press the power button on the front of the case. The first boot may take a few minutes as the system initializes. You should see the manufacturer logo or a Windows setup screen on the monitor.

If nothing appears on the monitor, check that the display cable is firmly connected to the graphics card and that the monitor is on the correct input. Also confirm the power cable is fully seated. If the PC does not power on at all, check the power switch on the back of the power supply, if there is one, and make sure it is set to the on position.

Windows 11 setup will guide you through choosing a language, connecting to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and signing in with a Microsoft account. Windows 11 Home and Pro require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during initial device setup, as noted by Microsoft. Follow the on-screen prompts. If you have an Ethernet cable, plugging it in now can make the setup faster and more stable.

During setup, Windows may ask about privacy settings and features. You can adjust these later in Settings. Once you reach the desktop, the PC is ready for the next steps: updating Windows and installing drivers.

Updating Windows

After reaching the desktop, the first task is to run Windows Update. Open Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Windows will download and install the latest security patches, bug fixes, and some driver updates. This can take a while, especially if the PC has been in storage for some time. Let it finish and restart if prompted.

Windows Update also installs updates for the Microsoft components and may include driver updates for the motherboard, network adapter, and other hardware. It is a good idea to run Windows Update again after the first restart to make sure everything is current. Microsoft notes that internet access is required to perform updates and to download some features.

While Windows Update runs, you can check for optional updates. In Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, you may see driver updates for the graphics card, chipset, or other devices. Install these if they are listed, as they can improve stability and compatibility.

Installing graphics drivers

The graphics card is the heart of a gaming PC, so its driver should be the first one you install manually. The driver is the software that lets Windows communicate with the GPU. A current driver is important for performance and for features like DLSS and ray tracing on GeForce RTX cards.

To get the latest driver, go to the graphics card maker's website. For NVIDIA GeForce cards, the NVIDIA website offers Game Ready Drivers, which are optimized for new games and updates. Download the driver for your specific card model and Windows version, then run the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions and choose the recommended installation type.

After the driver installs, restart the PC. You can verify the driver version in the NVIDIA app or in Windows Device Manager. Keeping the driver current is a good habit; you can check for updates periodically or enable automatic notifications in the NVIDIA app. For more on graphics cards, see the best graphics cards for PC gaming guide.

Installing chipset and other drivers

The chipset driver manages communication between the CPU, memory, storage, and other components. It is often provided by the motherboard maker or the CPU maker. For Intel systems, the Intel Driver and Support Assistant can automatically detect and install the latest drivers. For AMD systems, the AMD website offers chipset drivers for its platforms.

Check the prebuilt PC maker's support page as well. Many prebuilt systems have a support page that lists the specific drivers for your model, including audio, network, and USB drivers. Download and install any that are newer than what Windows Update provided.

Network drivers are especially important for online gaming. If you use Wi-Fi, make sure the wireless adapter driver is current. For Ethernet, the driver is usually included with the chipset driver. A stable connection matters for competitive play; see the best gaming PCs for esports guide for more on what to look for.

Final checks and optimization

Once the drivers are installed, restart the PC one more time. Then check that the monitor is running at its native resolution and refresh rate. Right-click the desktop and select Display settings, then scroll to Advanced display to set the refresh rate. For a 1440p or 4K monitor, make sure the resolution is set to the native value.

You can also enable features like Auto HDR in Windows 11, which increases the range of colors for games that support it. This is found in Settings > System > Display > HDR. If your monitor supports HDR, turn it on and calibrate it with the Windows HDR Calibration app.

Finally, consider setting up a game library folder on your storage drive. If the PC has a large SSD, you can install games there. For more on storage, see the best SSDs for gaming guide. With everything updated and configured, you are ready to install your games and start playing.

What to pick for your play

Questions

Why should I connect the monitor to the graphics card instead of the motherboard?

The graphics card has its own video outputs and handles rendering for games. The motherboard outputs use the CPU's integrated graphics, which is not designed for gaming performance. Connecting to the graphics card ensures the GPU is used.

How long does the first boot take?

The first boot can take a few minutes as the system initializes and Windows setup runs. This is normal. If it takes longer than 15 minutes without progress, check the monitor connection and power.

Do I need to update drivers manually if Windows Update does it?

Windows Update installs basic drivers, but the graphics card driver from the maker's website is often newer and includes optimizations for games. It is recommended to install the latest graphics driver manually.

What should I do if the PC does not turn on?

Check that the power cable is firmly connected to the tower and the wall outlet. Make sure the power switch on the back of the power supply is set to on. If it still does not turn on, contact the prebuilt maker's support.

How do I set the monitor to its highest refresh rate?

After installing the graphics driver, right-click the desktop and select Display settings. Scroll to Advanced display and choose the highest refresh rate available from the drop-down menu. The monitor must support that rate.