put together my new computer...next steps?

[Lorna]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this but...

 

So this is my first non prebuilt computer and want to make sure I do things properly.  I put together my computer and I am now in the BIOS screen. I just want some confirmation before i proceed with stuff. Do I need to update any Bios stuff before I install windows? Or should i be installing windows and then looking to see if there are any drivers that need updating?

 

thank you

 

 

[RadiatingLight]

There's no particular order -- it doesn't matter.

Usually I install windows first, and then find/download the new BIOS while programs are installing to save time. if you already have the USB, no harm in doing it now either.

[Lorna]

3 minutes ago, RadiatingLight said:

There's no particular order -- it doesn't matter.

Usually I install windows first, and then find/download the new BIOS while programs are installing to save time. if you already have the USB, no harm in doing it now either.

cool, so since I already have windows on a usb boot drive I should just go ahead and install that then look for drivers on my new computer instead of this one.? 

[RadiatingLight]

Just now, Lorna said:

cool, so since I already have windows on a usb boot drive I should just go ahead and install that then look for drivers on my new computer instead of this one.? 

yep.

Windows 10 automatically installs all drivers for stuff like peripherals and even internal PC components. I'd still recommend manually installing graphics drivers, since it sometimes grabs a very old version, but other than that the only thing you should need to install is BIOS updates.

[Lorna]

1 minute ago, RadiatingLight said:

yep.

Windows 10 automatically installs all drivers for stuff like peripherals and even internal PC components. I'd still recommend manually installing graphics drivers, since it sometimes grabs a very old version, but other than that the only thing you should need to install is BIOS updates.

awesome, thanks for the answers. 

 

If you don't mind my bothering you a little more. Is there anything I should be double checking once i believe everything is completed? Not sure if there is a checklist or guide or anything like that. Just a little paranoid I will forget something.

[VEXICUS]

1 minute ago, Lorna said:

awesome, thanks for the answers. 

 

If you don't mind my bothering you a little more. Is there anything I should be double checking once i believe everything is completed? Not sure if there is a checklist or guide or anything like that. Just a little paranoid I will forget something.

I guess you have set the xmp profile for your ram.

[RadiatingLight]

Just now, Lorna said:

awesome, thanks for the answers. 

 

If you don't mind my bothering you a little more. Is there anything I should be double checking once i believe everything is completed? Not sure if there is a checklist or guide or anything like that. Just a little paranoid I will forget something.

If you installed the I/O shield, then maybe test all buttons/ports on the front of the case to make sure they all are plugged in correctly.

I don't know what your specs are, but if you have fast RAM, make sure its running at the faster speed. sometimes you need to go into the BIOS and enable XMP, since many CPUs only officially support speeds up to ~2666Mhz, although for newer CPUs like 3rd gen Ryzen it's officially up to ~3200, and can easily reach 3600 with XMP

[Lorna]

Is there a big difference between changing the frequency manually to 3600 and using xmp (A-XMP?)?

[Lorna]

48 minutes ago, RadiatingLight said:

If you installed the I/O shield, then maybe test all buttons/ports on the front of the case to make sure they all are plugged in correctly.

I don't know what your specs are, but if you have fast RAM, make sure its running at the faster speed. sometimes you need to go into the BIOS and enable XMP, since many CPUs only officially support speeds up to ~2666Mhz, although for newer CPUs like 3rd gen Ryzen it's officially up to ~3200, and can easily reach 3600 with XMP

 

48 minutes ago, VEXICUS said:

I guess you have set the xmp profile for your ram.

I think I might have needed to quote you guys...

 Is there a big difference between changing the frequency manually to 3600 and using xmp (A-XMP?)?

[RadiatingLight]

4 minutes ago, Lorna said:

 

I think I might have needed to quote you guys...

 Is there a big difference between changing the frequency manually to 3600 and using xmp (A-XMP?)?

Yes, thanks for quoting.

XMP is basically just a preset overclock with settings that are known to work with your RAM.

if XMP doesn't work, or you want to manually tweak further, go for it!