What to Do After Building Your PC - DIY in 5 Ep 248

Опубликовано 4 мая 2025, 13:00

Building a PC is itself an endeavor, but every new build needs some final touches before you can enjoy it. Here’s what to take care of first.
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) needs to be configured first of all. It’s software stored on every motherboard, programmed to identify other hardware and help the computer perform basic functions. You’ll need to check your motherboard documentation before booting to figure out how to access the BIOS: it’s usually one of the function keys (F#1-12) , but which one varies from motherboard to motherboard. Once you’re in, you won’t have to change much. Just check that your RAM has been detected correctly, and find where Intel XMP or AMD EXPO are in your settings, so that you can make sure they’re enabled. You’ll find it’s well worth it.
Boot drive order is also important. It’s used to launch the OS. If you have an installer on a USB drive, you’ll need to set that USB as the primary boot drive. Once the order is changed, you can restart, so that the BIOS will attempt to boot from drives in the order you specified when the computer powers on. When the OS has been installed, you’ll need to switch back to the C drive.

Speaking of operating systems, the most common are Windows 10 and Windows 11. You’ll need to install one of them, or some other option, for your computer to run. The easiest way to do that is to download it onto a USB drive, then boot up with that USB drive first in the BIOS’ boot drive order, as we just went over. Microsoft has a guide that can help if you are unsure of how to install Windows from a USB drive: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/wind...
Once you’ve booted in Windows, you still have a little extra work to do. First, check your drivers (files which tell PC components how to function by communicating with the OS). All computers have multiple drivers to control various components and software. While operating systems tend to automatically install required drivers, some PC components might require their own, which can be installed through the motherboard or hardware manufacturer’s website. It’s important to keep those drivers up to date to ensure optimal performance. Therefore, you should update your OS immediately after installation to get the latest drivers and security updates.
The next step is ensuring your computer is secure. Windows automatically includes a basic antivirus solution: Windows Defender. More advanced coverage is available though, and downloading antivirus and anti-spyware options before you expose your PC to the internet is like putting a helmet on your kid before they ride a bike for the first time. It’s not mandatory, but if you don’t, don’t be surprised when it all ends in tears. Consider scheduling your antivirus software to do regular scans of your PC so you don’t have to think about it later.

Finally, your OS is set up and protected. Now it’s time for the fun part: installing programs and games! Download your preferred browser, game launchers, software etc. and get things set up how you like it. Pro tip: install games on a separate drive to your OS, since file sizes can be considerable. This will give you more space to save game files. It also protects your data if you ever need to reinstall the OS. This is also the time you should set up a backup for your important data. Whether you use an external SSD (such as the Kingston XS1000 External Solid State Drive: kingston.com/en/ssd/xs1000-ext... or the cloud, be sure to safeguard your data and run regular backups.

What’s left to do? Customization! It could be small tweaks like changing the desktop wallpaper or creating shortcuts. It could be adding peripherals and desk accessories for your dream set-up. It could even be customizing your hardware’s RGB lighting and effects, with control software like Kingston’s FURY CTRL (kingston.com/en/gaming/fury-ct...
Your PC is fully set up, customized the way you like it. It’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor! Hard as it can be, it’s all worth it to own a PC designed, built, and personalized by you. Let us know all about your build in the comments!

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