7 Mistakes Even Veteran PC Builders Still Make
6. Overlooking Software and BIOS Updates

For many experienced builders, the thrill lies in the hardware—unboxing a new GPU, slotting in high-speed RAM, or assembling the perfect airflow setup. But what often gets overlooked is the software layer that makes all that hardware function smoothly. System stability and peak performance depend just as much on updated drivers, firmware, and BIOS as they do on physical components. Relying solely on hardware know-how can lead seasoned builders to skip critical software updates, assuming the system will “just work.” But outdated chipset drivers, GPU software, or BIOS versions can cause all sorts of problems: from crashes and freezing to throttling, poor peripheral recognition, and even full system instability—especially with newer CPUs or memory modules. BIOS updates, in particular, often include fixes for compatibility with new components and performance optimizations.