GPU Drivers the Day After a New Gaming PC

The first-hour checklist gets the PC on the desk and into Windows. The next day is when a wrong graphics driver shows up as a black screen, a 60 Hz lock, or a game that crashes on the menu.

Install the driver from the GPU maker

NVIDIA cards want the driver from NVIDIA. AMD cards want the driver from AMD. Use their app or the support page for that exact model. A Windows Update display driver can be fine for the desktop and still be a version behind for a new game.

Chipset drivers come from AMD for AM4 and AM5 boards, or from Intel for their boards. Do that after the GPU driver, then reboot once. You do not need a third-party "driver booster."

What to check after the reboot

Open the GPU app and confirm the card name matches the invoice. Set the display to the refresh rate you paid for. A 165 Hz monitor left at 60 Hz feels like a broken PC.

Launch one game you know. If it crashes only after the new driver, roll back one version before you reinstall Windows. Our sold Ryzen 5 5600X and RTX 4060 build used this same order: GPU driver, chipset, then a game.

Frequently asked questions

Should I install GeForce Experience or only the driver?

The driver is the part that matters. The extra app is optional. Skip it if you do not want overlays.

Do I update the BIOS on day two?

No, unless the seller or the board maker told you a specific bug. A BIOS update on a working PC is how a simple night becomes a recovery job.

The screen is stuck at 60 Hz. Is the GPU dying?

Check the Windows display setting and the cable first. HDMI and DisplayPort do not always offer the same refresh on older ports.

Key takeaways

• Get the GPU driver from NVIDIA or AMD, then the chipset driver, then reboot.
• Confirm the monitor refresh rate before you judge the PC.
• Leave the BIOS alone on day two if the machine already plays a game.