Part of standard PC maintenance is making sure that your system is up-to-date with the latest drivers, BIOS, and software updates.
Why should I update my PC?
Keeping your PC up-to-date ensures that your system is secure from malicious bad actors (i.e. viruses, malware, hackers, etc.) and can help maintain optimal performance. In particular, many Graphics Card driver updates include per-program optimizations for newly released games that can help add support or improve compatibility.
Where can I find the latest updates for my PC?
Most updates are going to fall into one of four categories:
- Software Driver updates
- UEFI Updates (also known as BIOS updates)
- Firmware Updates
- Software Updates (i.e. Windows Updates)
These are provided either from the hardware manufacturer's website or via a management program provided by the manufacturer (i.e. Windows Update, AMD Software, NVIDIA App, etc.). Below is a quick reference chart that can help identify where to find certain types of updates:
| Update Type | Download Location |
| Windows Updates |
For more information on Windows Updates, please see the guide here. |
| Motherboard Driver |
|
| Graphics Card Driver |
|
| Motherboard BIOS |
|
| Firmware Updates |
|
Should I use a third-party driver manager?
While there are third-party driver management programs that can download and update drivers for you, it is generally not recommended to install or use any third-party driver management software. Third-party driver managers may include outdated drivers or can expose your system to malware, viruses, or other threats such as Remote Access Takeover (RAT) attacks.
What are signed drivers vs. unsigned drivers?
Signed Drivers are drivers that have been validated by the operating system provider (i.e. Microsoft) to operate within specified guidelines for use. Many of these drivers will be listed as having been signed by Microsoft WHQL, however not every signed driver will explicitly carry this tag. In our warehouse analogy, a Signed Driver is forklift certified.
Unsigned Drivers are drivers that have not yet been validated by the operating system provided. These can include alpha and beta release drivers or even third-party drivers. These are not validated to operate within specific guidelines and can result in stability issues. Use Unsigned Drivers at your own peril, NZXT does not provided support for unsigned driver related issues.
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