Just Unboxed Your New Gaming PC? Here’s What To Do Next

6 min read

First of all - Welcome to the world of high-performance gaming.

At Obsidian PC, every system is built, stress-tested and configured before it leaves us. Your drivers are installed, Windows is activated & updated, and your PC is ready to go.

But before you jump straight into your first game, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to setting everything up properly to ensure your PC performs as intended and is well taken care of to increase it's longevity.

1️⃣ Choose the Right Setup Location

Where you place your PC matters more than you might think.

✅ Best Places:

  • A solid desk surface

  • Hardwood or laminate flooring

  • A raised PC stand

❌ Avoid:

  • Thick carpet

  • Directly on rugs

  • Tight enclosed cabinets

  • Next to radiators or heat sources

  • Any place where it may be accidently knocked or prone to liquid spillage

Why?

Carpet traps dust and restricts airflow. It can also increase static build-up. Your gaming PC pulls air in to cool components like the CPU and GPU. Blocking airflow can reduce performance and long-term reliability or even cause problems such as overheating or instability.

💡 Pro Tip: Leave at least 10–15cm clearance at the back and top of the case for proper ventilation.

2️⃣ Plugging Everything In (The Right Way)

Now let’s connect everything properly.

🔌 Power Cable

  • Plug the power cable into the back of the PC.

  • Plug the other end into a wall socket or surge protector. Don't use cheap extension cables!

  • Flip the switch on the back of the PSU to “I” (On).

  • Press the power button on the front/side of the case.

⌨️ Keyboard & 🖱 Mouse

Plug your keyboard and mouse into the rear USB ports on the motherboard.

Avoid using the front USB ports for permanent devices if possible - keep those free for USB sticks or temporary devices. Front USB ports are more prone to being knocked or damaged and have higher latency than rear USB ports.

🖥️ The Most Important Step: Monitor Connection

This is where many people make a mistake.

Always plug your monitor into the Graphics Card - NOT the motherboard.

Look at the back of your PC:

  • The motherboard ports are higher up.

  • The graphics card ports are lower down (horizontal expansion slots). Typically in a bank of 4 connections.

You should use:

  • DisplayPort (Recommended) - especially for higher refresh rates.

  • Or HDMI

Why is this important?

Your dedicated graphics card (for example an NVIDIA GeForce RTX or AMD Radeon GPU) is responsible for gaming performance.

If you plug into the motherboard instead, you may:

  • Use integrated graphics instead of your GPU

  • Lose performance

  • Be unable to access high refresh rates (144Hz / 240Hz)

  • Experience lower FPS / graphical quality

  • Experience the PC not displaying at all!

💡 DisplayPort is best for high refresh rate monitors.

3️⃣ First Boot & Windows Setup

Your Obsidian PC already comes with:

  • Windows installed and activated

  • Drivers installed

  • Updates applied

  • Default user account configured, bloatware free

When you first power on:

  1. Connect to your internet through Ethernet (recommended) or WiFi.

  2. Confirm your region & keyboard layout.

  3. Log into the default Windows user.

  4. (Optional) You can create your own personal Windows account if preferred.

4️⃣ Double Check Windows Updates

Even though we update everything before shipping, it’s always worth checking again and knowing for the future.

How to check:

  • Click Start

  • Go to Settings → Windows Update

  • Click Check for Updates

Install anything pending and restart if required.

5️⃣ Graphics Drivers: NVIDIA / AMD

Your gaming performance depends heavily on up-to-date GPU drivers. Drivers are made by the manufacturer of your graphics card, Nvidia or AMD. They are a set of instructions for your graphics card, informing it how to run new games, updates or even fix ingame bugs you may be experiencing. 

It's worth noting, your PC can have a variation of either an NVIDIA Graphics card or AMD. To check:

- Nvidia Graphics Cards have "GeForce RTX" Printed on the side.

- AMD Graphics Cards have "Radeon" Printed on the side.

Make sure you follow the below instructions for your Specific Graphics card to avoid potential problems.

🟢 If You Have an NVIDIA GPU

You should have the NVIDIA APP Downloaded on your PC/Desktop. If not, you can download it here

It allows you to:

  • Update drivers easily

  • Optimise games automatically

  • Record gameplay

  • Enable performance overlays

How to update the drivers:

  • Open the App

  • You may be prompted to choose "Game Ready" or "Studio" Drivers. Pick the option that best suits you.

  • Click the "Drivers" Tab on the left

  • Download the top entry (if not available, you likely have the latest drivers already installed)

  • Install and press "Express Installation"
  • Your screen will go blank a few times during the install, don't worry - this is normal!

🔴 If You Have an AMD GPU

You should have the AMD Adrenalin Software on your PC. If not, you can download it here

It allows you to:

  • Update drivers

  • Adjust performance profiles

  • Enable Radeon features like Anti-Lag

  • Monitor temps & performance

How to update the drivers:

  • Right-click the desktop -> Show more options - Open the App

  • Towards the top right-hand corner, you should see a "Check for updates" button

  • Check for updates and follow the on-screen instructions.
  • Your screen will go blank a few times during the install, don't worry - this is normal!

💡 Tip: Avoid third-party driver websites. Only use official sources.

6️⃣ Installing Your Games

Now for the fun part.

Most PC games are installed through game launchers.

🎮 Start with Steam

Steam is the largest PC gaming platform and supports:

  • Automatic updates

  • Cloud saves

  • Achievements

  • Controller support

Other Popular Launchers

You may also want:

  • EA App – For EA titles (FC, Battlefield, etc.)

  • Epic Games Launcher – Fortnite & weekly free games

  • GOG Galaxy – DRM-free games

  • Battle.net – Call of Duty, Diablo, Overwatch

  • Xbox App – PC Game Pass

Install only what you need - no need to clutter your system.

7️⃣ Set Your Monitor Refresh Rate

Many new gamers forget this.

Even if you have a 144Hz or 240Hz monitor, Windows may default to 60Hz.

To check:

  1. Right click desktop

  2. Click Display Settings

  3. Advanced Display

  4. Select the highest refresh rate available

This ensures you get the smooth gameplay your system is built for.
Please note - The maximum refresh rate is determined by your monitor, not the PC. Some monitors are 60Hz, some are more. If you are expecting your monitor to have a different refresh rate (Hz), research the model and try a more expensive, higher-quality cable as some cables limit performance. We recommend a good DisplayPort cable for the best results.

8️⃣ Optional But Recommended Tweaks

✔ Install Monitoring Software

Programs like:

  • MSI Afterburner

  • HWMonitor

Let you track temperatures and performance.

Although each system is fully tested and validated before we ship them out. There is a slight chance things may shift around during transit, resulting in abnormal temperatures. Specific operating temperatures will vary depending on hardware configuration. It's always worth doing a quick google search of you component + temperatures for a general understanding. And you are concerned, you can always contact us for help :)

✔ Install an Antivirus (If Desired)

Windows Defender is already built in and perfectly fine for most users.

If you purchased a McAfee AV license with us, you will need to follow the instructions on the card provided on how to install and setup the Anti Virus.

9️⃣ Keep Your PC Clean

To keep your system running like new:

  • Clean dust filters every 2–3 months

  • Keep pets away from intake fans

  • Don’t block airflow

You're Ready To Game

Your Obsidian PC is built for performance, reliability and smooth gameplay.

Once everything is updated and installed:

  • Launch your favourite game

  • Enable your monitor’s correct refresh rate

  • Enjoy high FPS gaming

If you ever need help, support or upgrade advice - Obsidian PC has you covered.

Welcome to high performance gaming. 🔥