Best Gaming PC Programs to Install on a New PC (2024)

Along with great games, every gaming PC needs useful programs and tools. From game launchers, to monitoring tools, equalizers, and RGB customization tools, let’s take a look at the best gaming PC programs you should install on a new PC.

FYI: running low on money for the best programs? Check out the best free software and apps for your Windows PC.

1. Steam

This one is probably a no-brainer, unless you have a weird beef with Valve and don’t want anything to do with them. Steam is the go-to store for buying PC games, engaging with the PC gaming community, playing with friends, and enjoying arguably the best gaming sales all year round.

Being the most popular gaming launcher on the planet, Steam can be found on many gaming computers, even Macs. You just need to download it, create an account, add a payment method, and you’re ready to start building your library.

It also has a big picture mode for consoles, Steam Remote Play, to play co-op with friends, share games with family, and share games to your TV, mobile, or another PC via Steam Link. There’s a mobile app, too, for both Android and iOS.

Tip: missing your friends? Let your friends watch you play games on Steam.

2. Epic Games Store

Steam may be the biggest storefront for PC games, but Epic Games Store has also been one of the best game launchers. Created and maintained by the company behind Fortnite and Unreal Engine, Epic Games Store offers gamers competitive pricing, a free game every week, and regular sales that often rival and even beat those from Steam.

It might lack some of the more social and sharing features that are a big part of Steam’s draw, but for those who are only concerned with getting great discounts and a weekly free game, Epic Games Store is tough to beat. There’s a vast catalog of games available (not as vast as Steam’s) that you can also access on both Windows and Mac.

FYI: wondering what the fuss is all about? Check out this Steam vs. Epic Games Store comparison for help choosing the best gaming client for your PC.

3. MSI Afterburner

Any gamer who’s even mildly interested in GPU overclocking needs to have MSI Afterburner on their gaming PC. The preferred tool for overclocking graphics cards across Nvidia and AMD users, MSI Afterburner has stood the test of time. It offers a clean interface, easy-to-understand settings, and monitoring features to gauge the temperature and voltage of your GPU when overclocked.

You can also set a fan curve for your GPU fans, and monitor in-game parameters, such as FPS, CPU usage, GPU usage, RAM usage, and temperature, without using additional tools. Adjusting your GPU’s power limit is also as simple as using a slider. Afterburner can help you save overclocking profiles for easy switching between OC and non-OC configurations.

Tip: need to take your new gaming PC for a spin? These are the best games to benchmark your new gaming PC.

4. HWiNFO

Whether you’re overclocking your CPU and GPU or simply benchmarking your Windows PC, you may find a third-party tool handy when keeping an eye on the temps and power readings. HWiNFO is one of the most useful system monitoring tools. It’s lightweight and doesn’t need installation; plus, you can configure it to display only system sensors showing real-time information about your CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, storage, and fans.

HWiNFO allows you to view the current, average, minimum, and maximum values for all the system parameters you can imagine. It also offers an on-screen display (OSD) similar to that of MSI Afterburner to view in-game or in-application readings.

Good to know: is your GPU running hot? Find out what a good GPU temperature is and how to check it.

5. Fan Control

Although you can use multiple tools to set your fan curves, Fan Control allows you maximum control over your system fans, CPU fans, and GPU fans. It’s a free tool that enables you to set custom fan curves for every fan in your PC. If you have a few intake fans, exhaust fans, AIO fans, and GPU fans, Fan Control is a great tool that can help optimize your PC’s cooling and reduce its noise levels.

You can not only dictate which temperature sensor to link to which fan curve, but also link multiple fan curves together so they work in tandem. This gives you the freedom to play around with the fan curves to the most granular level. The interface and controls are super simple. It’s hard to believe this is a free tool.

FYI: need more fan control tools? Check out the best Fan Control tools for Windows.

6. Opera GX

Game launchers and system monitoring tools are not the only things you need on a gaming PC. A great gaming PC also needs a great gaming browser – not to play browser games but to allow you to use your system resources exclusively for gaming. Most browsers use a lot of RAM and CPU resources, but Opera GX is built from the ground up to consume as little of your PC’s power as possible.

Other great features of Opera GX include integrations with RGB software, like Corsair iCUE, Logitech Lightsync, and more. A built-in VPN and ad blocker take care of privacy and keep your browser clutter-free. You can also get your gaming fix with info about upcoming games and deals in the GX Corner. Integrations with social apps further add to your experience.

Tip: need more browser options? Try the best gaming browsers for Windows.

7. Discord

You’re probably familiar with Discord, the number one voice chat and community management app available. You can not only chat with friends but also text them, stream your games, control individual chat and audio levels, and stay updated with the latest in the gaming world.

Discord has become a quintessential app for any gaming PC, as everyone uses it. You don’t need to pay for its basic features, but Discord Nitro unlocks higher streaming quality, higher image upload caps, and animated avatars and emojis for a small monthly fee.

Tip: feeling bored on Discord? Check out the most interesting discord servers to join.

8. Equalizer APO

Audio is probably the most subjective thing when it comes to PC users. Everyone prefers a different soundscape, and speakers aren’t always uniform in the sound they deliver. This is where Equalizer APO comes in, allowing you to customize your audio output, like speakers and headphones, to your heart’s content. You can dial in detailed tweaks to the equalizer and also apply filters the way you want.

It might be a tad advanced for most people, but it allows you unlimited control over your sound preferences, whether it’s for games, listening to music, or watching movies on your PC.

9. SignalRGB

If you’re a fan of syncing RGB on your PC into a consistent theme, then SignalRGB is one of the best tools available. Unlike the RGB software provided by various component manufacturers, SignalRGB is manufacturer-agnostic, so you can sync almost all of your RGB components using a single program.

When you first launch it, SignalRGB will detect all of your RGB components, which you can then arrange in a virtual layout to customize exactly how your RGB effects look on your PC. Supporting peripherals as well, the tool provides tons of free effects, with the option to pay for additional ones, game integrations, cooling tools, and system monitoring tools.

FYI: need to sync your RGB on Windows? Learn how to enable Windows 11 RGB control.

10. Wallpaper Engine

Syncing your RGB is great, but your desktop deserves some love too. After all, you see it a lot during the day. Wallpaper Engine is one of the best places to get live wallpapers for your PC. Being the best $4 you’ll ever spend on your PC, it’s home to thousands of animated wallpapers, created by a community of talented artists. You just need to install it on Steam, then find and apply any wallpaper you want.

The best Wallpaper Engine wallpapers cover a variety of genres, such as anime, gaming, movies, TV series, nature, sci-fi, and abstract. You can even create your own live wallpapers in the workshop and submit them for all the world to see.

To truly make your gaming PC reflect your personality, you need to use a few non-gaming programs to optimize and customize it to your liking. From overclocking, system monitoring, and fan control tools, to gaming browsers, wallpaper apps, and RGB sync programs, you have a wide variety of options to enhance your gaming and non-gaming experience. It’s not about which tools you use, but rather the time and care you put into making your PC feel like home.

Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Tanveer Singh.