So, you finally got your new gaming PC set up. Maybe you spent weeks hunting down the right GPU, or maybe you clicked “Buy Now” and had it shipped to your door. Either way, congrats — it’s a great feeling when that thing boots up for the first time.
But here’s the catch: a powerful machine is only half the story. Without the right apps, you’re basically running an expensive box of lights. The good news? Setting up the right software isn’t complicated, and once you’ve got them installed, your whole experience feels smoother, faster, and just more fun.
Think of it like moving into a new apartment. The walls and floor are there (that’s your hardware), but it doesn’t feel like home until you’ve brought in the furniture, the lamps, and the pizza box you forgot to throw away. Same deal here.
11 Must-Have PC Gaming Apps For Your New Gaming PC
Let’s dive into the apps that’ll take your gaming PC from “new toy” to “gaming powerhouse.”
1. Steam, Epic, GOG… Pick Your Poison
You can’t really talk about PC gaming without mentioning Steam. It’s not just a store; it’s the store. Thousands of games, regular discounts that drain your wallet during the holidays, and features like community reviews and mods. I’ve lost hours just browsing Steam instead of actually playing anything.
That said, Steam isn’t the only launcher worth installing. Epic Games Store hands out free titles every week, and some of them are genuinely good, not just throwaway filler. GOG Galaxy is perfect if you like DRM-free stuff (no “are you online?” checks every time you play). And if you’re into Ubisoft, EA, or Blizzard games, you’ll end up with their launchers too.
Pro tip: if you hate juggling multiple apps, grab Playnite. It pulls everything into one big library so you don’t have to guess where you installed The Witcher 3 this time.
2. Discord – Basically a Second Home
I don’t know a single gamer who doesn’t use Discord. What started as “just another voice chat app” has turned into the place where gamers hang out.
Need to coordinate a raid? Hop on voice. Want to share a meme mid-match? Drop it in chat. Feel like showing off a new build? Stream your screen to your friends. And if you’re into communities, there’s a server for literally every game out there.
Honestly, I keep Discord open even when I’m not gaming. It’s basically become the modern-day equivalent of hanging out at your friend’s house, except nobody steals your controller when you go to the bathroom.
3. CCleaner and Monitoring Tools – Because PCs Get Messy
Even the fastest rig slows down if you don’t give it a little TLC. That’s where CCleaner comes in. It wipes out temporary files, caches, and the random junk Windows collects like a hoarder. You won’t suddenly go from 40 FPS to 120 FPS, but your gaming PC will feel less sluggish over time.
On the flip side, you also need to know what’s going on under the hood. Tools like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor show temps, fan speeds, and GPU usage. It might sound like overkill, but trust me — nothing ruins your night faster than your system overheating in the middle of a ranked match.
4. OBS Studio – Show Off (Or Just Save Clips)
Streaming used to be something only big names did. Now? Anyone with a decent internet connection can jump in, thanks to OBS Studio.
It’s free, open-source, and it lets you do pretty much everything: record gameplay, add overlays, stream to Twitch or YouTube, and even mix in your webcam. Sure, the setup can be a little confusing at first, but once you’ve got it dialed, it just works.
Even if you don’t plan to stream, OBS is perfect for saving your best (or worst) moments. Because sometimes you just need proof that you did land that ridiculous no-scope.
5. Opera GX – Yes, a Gamer Browser Is a Thing
I rolled my eyes when I first heard about Opera GX. A “gaming browser”? Sounded like a gimmick. Then I tried it.
Turns out, it’s actually smart. You can limit how much CPU or RAM it uses so your game doesn’t lag while you’ve got 10 tabs open. It even has a network limiter so your ping doesn’t spike when a background tab decides to refresh.
And the little extras are nice — Twitch integration, a built-in game deals page, and themes that look like something out of Cyberpunk 2077. It’s not essential, but once you use it, it’s hard to go back to Chrome hogging all your resources.
6. Emulators – Old Games Deserve Love Too
Sometimes the best games aren’t new releases. Sometimes they’re the ones you grew up with.
With emulators like RetroArch, Dolphin, or PCSX2, you can relive old-school classics on your shiny new gaming PC. And the best part? They usually run better than they did originally. Higher resolution, smoother framerates, and proper controller support.
Of course, legality matters here. Emulators are fine, but downloading random ROMs you don’t own? Not so much. If you’ve got old discs lying around, many emulators let you rip and play them legally.
7. LaunchBox – Organize the Chaos
If your game library already looks like a digital junk drawer, LaunchBox is a godsend.
It pulls in your games from Steam, Epic, GOG, and even emulators, then wraps them in a slick Netflix-style interface with cover art and info. Suddenly, scrolling through your collection feels like browsing a museum of your own gaming history.
For retro gamers, it’s even better because you can launch old titles side-by-side with modern ones. No more digging through folders just to play one round of Street Fighter II.
8. KeyTweak (and Friends) – Fix Awkward Controls
Not every game nails its control scheme. Some just… don’t. That’s where KeyTweak comes in.
It lets you remap keys on a system level, which is handy for stubborn games that refuse to give you options. Want more power? Tools like AutoHotkey or reWASD let you create macros, remap controllers, and generally bend input to your will.
Trust me, once you’ve played an MMO with macros set up, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
9. Bluestacks – Mobile Games, But Better
Like it or not, mobile gaming is huge. But playing with touch controls? Meh.
That’s where Bluestacks comes in. It’s an Android emulator that runs mobile games on your PC. With mouse, keyboard, or controller support, suddenly titles like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact feel way more natural.
It’s also great if you just don’t want to burn through your phone battery grinding dailies.
10. NVIDIA Broadcast – RTX Magic
If you’ve got an NVIDIA RTX card, you should grab NVIDIA Broadcast right away. It uses AI to clean up your mic audio (no more typing sounds or barking dogs in the background), adjust your webcam framing, and even blur your messy room behind you.
It’s free, it works shockingly well, and it makes you sound like you’ve got pro-level gear without actually buying any.
11. Antivirus (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)
I get it — nobody wants to install antivirus on a fresh PC. But if you’re downloading mods, patches, or “totally safe” files from random forums, you need protection.
Malwarebytes is solid, or just stick with Windows Defender if you don’t want to add more software. Either way, don’t skip it. One bad download and your fancy new rig turns into a paperweight.
Bonus: Update Those Drivers
It’s not an app, but keeping your GPU drivers up-to-date is important. NVIDIA and AMD regularly releases updates that helps you in fixing bugs, boost performance, and optimize new games. Skipping them is like refusing free upgrades.
Final Thoughts
Your new gaming PC is powerful, no doubt. But it’s the apps that take it from “just hardware” to a proper setup. Steam and Discord are obvious must-haves, but the others — from OBS and Opera GX to emulators and LaunchBox — fill in the gaps that make gaming smoother and more fun.
Start with a few essentials, then add more as you go. In no time, you’ll have a PC that not only run the games — it runs your world.
Now go install a couple of these, fire up your favorite game, and enjoy that brand-new PC smell while it lasts.
