How to prepare for a new pc?

[ddr305]

I guess this falls under technical support. My PC is due to be built and delivered (hopefully) next week so what should I do once it arrives? I haven't used a windows computer for 10+ years so just need to know what I should do in regards to drivers, updates and how to check everything is working as it should be.

I've seen elsewhere on here that I should just use Windows Defender and the free version of Malwarebytes for protection.

Having made the switch from Apple where everything just seems to work with virtually no input from myself I'm a little nervous about upkeep and general maintenance of a windows device.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I guess this falls under technical support. My PC is due to be built and delivered (hopefully) next week so what should I do once it arrives? I haven't used a windows computer for 10+ years so just need to know what I should do in regards to drivers, updates and how to check everything is working as it should be.

I've seen elsewhere on here that I should just use Windows Defender and the free version of Malwarebytes for protection.

Having made the switch from Apple where everything just seems to work with virtually no input from myself I'm a little nervous about upkeep and general maintenance of a windows device.

If you ordered it should come fully ready, all you need to do is go through your account setup and that's it all done. Then once into windows, keep running windows updates until they're all installed.

That being said, if there's any RGB on your system, it's likely you'll need iCue or Amory Crate or Aurus depending on which motherboard you have to control the lights. This won't be installed by default.

I would also recommend uninstalling Bullguard if you ordered it by default, just use windows defender which is fantastic and then malwarebytes free as a manual scanner once a week or so (make sure to end the trial once installed).

It's for music isn't it? You may want to look into optimising windows and drivers (skip to Disable USB Selective Suspend):

Optimising your PC for Audio on Windows 10

Windows caters to many different types of users and applications. Here are some ways to improve your Windows experience for music production. You might view this article if you experience these pro...

support.focusrite.com

And here:

Optimizing Your Computer for Audio - Windows 10

Why would I need to optimize Windows 10? If your computer's audio has: Pops Clicks Audio Dropouts Distorted Audio Noise High CPU usage PC Optimization Guide for Windows 10 Welcome to the Window...

support.presonus.com

Windows does take a little more playing about with than MacOS but once it's ready it's very stable.

 

[ddr305]

I'll make sure to check those links out and I've got no anti virus so all good there.

The only thing with rgb listed on it is the cooler which is 'Corsair H115i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler'

I believe my case isn't see through as its the fractal define 7 and I'm not really worried about all that anyway so will it just work OK anyway?

 

[SpyderTracks]

I'll make sure to check those links out and I've got no anti virus so all good there.

The only thing with rgb listed on it is the cooler which is 'Corsair H115i RGB PLATINUM Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler'

I believe my case isn't see through as its the fractal define 7 and I'm not really worried about all that anyway so will it just work OK anyway?

Yeah, it will work fine. You'll want to install iCue anyway as it links to the cooler to show pump speeds and fan speeds (as well as rgb) and you can set warnings and alarms and stuff. It's pretty much a necessary, especially if you've got the system under a long term load at any time, just adds peace of mind.

CORSAIR Downloads | CORSAIR iCUE Software

Download everything needed to power your CORSAIR system, from the latest CORSAIR iCUE software, to CORSAIR ONE drivers, to Thunderbolt Dock Utility.

www.corsair.com

 

[ddr305]

Perfect, thanks!