I've been a Windows user for over 15 years — these are the 7 key things to check on a new gaming PC

There are few things more exciting than booting up your brand new gaming PC for the first time. I remember my first build like it was yesterday – the frustration and choice words when hooking up power cables, and the eventual but incredibly sweet triumph of pressing the power button and watching it whirr to life.

If you just booted up your new PC for the first time, there are a few key things you should check to ensure everything runs smoothly.

I put this list together for beginners - you won't find BIOS-heavy, 1-2% performance increase tips here. Just quick, actionable advice that can make a huge difference in how your PC operates.

1. Check your monitor's resolution and refresh rate ...