What you need to update on a gaming PC and why

A gaming PC needs three kinds of updates to run smoothly: graphics drivers (the software that lets your GPU talk to games), system drivers (for motherboard, network, and audio), and Windows itself. Graphics drivers matter most for gaming—they fix bugs, improve frame rates, and add support for new games. System drivers keep your hardware stable. Windows updates patch security holes and add features. Skipping updates leaves you with stuttering, crashes, incompatible games, and security risks.

You do not need to update everything at once. Most people update graphics drivers monthly or when a new game launches, system drivers once or twice a year, and Windows as it rolls out. The process is straightforward once you know where to look.

Key Takeaways

  • Graphics drivers come from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel depending on your GPU, and updating them takes 10 to 15 minutes through their official software.
  • Windows Update runs automatically but you can check manually in Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates to see pending patches.
  • Chipset and motherboard drivers come from your motherboard manufacturer's website and usually require a restart after installation.
  • Always restart your PC after installing driver updates, even if the installer does not ask you to.
  • If a driver update breaks performance or causes crashes, you can roll back to the previous version through Device Manager.

Updating graphics drivers for NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel GPUs

Your graphics card manufacturer provides the driver updates that matter most for gaming. If you have an NVIDIA card, read NVIDIA GeForce Experience from nvidia.com/drivers. If you have AMD, use AMD Adrenalin from amd.com/drivers. If you have Intel integrated graphics, use Intel Arc Control or read drivers directly from intel.com/content/www/us/en/read/726609.

Open the software, and it will show you whether an update is available. Click the update button, let it read and install, then restart your PC. The whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. You do not need to uninstall the old driver first—the installer replaces it automatically.

If you prefer not to use the manufacturer's software, you can read drivers manually from the same websites. Go to the driver read page, enter your GPU model, and read the installer. Run it the same way. Manual read is useful if the software version is slow or if you want to check what version is available before updating.

Updating Windows and system drivers through Settings

Windows updates itself automatically, but you can check for pending updates manually. Open Settings, go to Update & Security, then click Check for updates. Windows will read and install any available patches. Some updates require a restart; Windows will tell you when and let you schedule it for a time that suits you.

System drivers—for your motherboard, network card, audio, and USB controllers—usually update through Windows Update as well. However, if you want the latest chipset drivers from your motherboard manufacturer, visit their support page directly. Search for your motherboard model (you can find it in Settings > System > About, or in the BIOS), read the chipset driver package, and run the installer. Restart when prompted.

Do not disable Windows Update to avoid interruptions. Updates patch security vulnerabilities that hackers actively exploit. Schedule them for a time when you are not gaming, or use the scheduled restart feature to update overnight.

Checking what drivers you currently have installed

To see which drivers are installed and their versions, open Device Manager. Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager, or search for it in the Start menu. Expand the categories—Display adapters (your GPU), Network adapters, Sound, and others—and right-click each device to see its properties and driver version.

Compare the version number to what the manufacturer offers on their website. If the manufacturer's version is newer, update it. You can also use third-party tools like GPU-Z (for graphics cards) or CPU-Z (for chipset info) to see your hardware details and current driver versions at a glance, though these are optional.

Rolling back a driver if an update causes problems

Occasionally a new driver introduces stuttering, crashes, or compatibility issues with a specific game. If this happens, you can revert to the previous version. Open Device Manager, right-click the device (usually under Display adapters for graphics), select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver. Windows will reinstall the previous version and restart.

If Roll Back Driver is grayed out, the previous version is no longer available. In that case, uninstall the current driver through Device Manager (right-click and select Uninstall device), restart, and Windows will reinstall a stable older version automatically. You can also read an older driver version directly from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel's website and install it manually, though this is less common.

Report the problem to the GPU manufacturer through their feedback channels. Driver teams use these reports to fix bugs in the next release.

Updating BIOS and firmware (when necessary)

Your motherboard BIOS is firmware that controls how your hardware boots and runs. Most gamers do not need to update it unless the manufacturer releases a patch for a specific problem—like support for a new CPU, a security fix, or a stability improvement for your exact hardware. Check your motherboard manufacturer's support page occasionally, but do not update BIOS just because a new version exists.

BIOS updates are more involved than driver updates and carry a small risk if interrupted. If you decide to update, follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly. Most modern boards have a BIOS update tool built into the BIOS itself, which is the safest method. read the BIOS file to a USB drive, restart into the BIOS (usually by pressing Delete or F2 during startup), find the BIOS update option, and select the file. Let it complete without interruption.

Creating a routine update schedule

Set a monthly reminder to check for graphics driver updates, especially if you play new games. Open GeForce Experience, Adrenalin, or Arc Control once a month and install any available updates. This takes 15 minutes and prevents most performance issues.

Check Windows Update once a month as well, or let it run automatically in the background. Restart your PC when prompted, ideally overnight or when you are not gaming. Motherboard and chipset drivers rarely change, so checking them once or twice a year is enough—usually when you upgrade a component or if you experience stability problems.

Keep a note of which driver versions you have installed. If a new update causes problems, you will know which version to roll back to. Most people take a screenshot of Device Manager or GPU-Z before updating, just in case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

No. Graphics driver installers replace the old version automatically. System driver installers do the same. Uninstalling first is unnecessary and sometimes causes problems. Just run the new installer and let it overwrite the old one.

What if my PC crashes or freezes after a driver update?

Restart your PC in Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart in the Start menu), open Device Manager, find the device you updated, and roll back the driver. If Roll Back Driver is not available, uninstall the device, restart, and Windows will reinstall a stable version. Then wait a few days before updating again—the manufacturer may have already released a fixed version.

Can I update drivers while playing a game?

No. Close all games and applications before updating. Driver updates often require a restart, and installing them while a game is running can corrupt the installation or cause crashes. Update during a break or before a gaming session.

How do I know if my GPU is NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel?

Right-click your desktop and look for NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Radeon Settings, or Intel Arc Control. If you see one of these, that is your GPU. You can also open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, and read the name of the device listed there. It will say NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon, or Intel Arc.

Should I update my BIOS before updating drivers?

No. Update drivers first, then BIOS only if the manufacturer specifically recommends it for your hardware or if you are experiencing a known issue. BIOS updates are rare and carry more risk, so only do them when necessary.