As you all know, Im still relatively niaive(sp?) when it comes to computer technology.

I just realised today that I hadnt upgraded my graphics drivers in over a year, which may have been why newer games were starting to struggle (currently running an 8800gt)

This got me thinking about other parts of the pc that may need an upgrade, and I was just wondering how important it is to actually update stuff like your BIOS, will doing this actually improve the way that my pc runs day to day?

At present there is nothing noticeably wrong with the way it runs, its a bit slower than it was a year ago, but I attribute that mainly to the fact that; i run Vista x64 Premium, its not new (so its not clean inside anymore), and the ram that I have is relatively cheap shit. Im thinking about upgrading the ram to 8gb from the OcUK site with this ( http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... 01&subcat=
) as I can get 8gb for <90 delivered next day and the reviews for that gear sounds pretty decent.

Any guidance would be much appreciated, including how badly I can destroy my pc if I mess up a BIOS upgrade (I have no idea how to do one...)

I only update my BiOS if really needed, or I hear good reviews about the build I would be adding.

Jump on you mobo's manufacture site and hit their forums see which is the latest stable version.
Check that on Google too once you know.
It’s hard to totally fuck up the bios as long as u stick to safe updates.
(i.e not the bios that came out last week sort of thing)

As for the memory I use that (though a different speed).
Had to send the 1st lot back but no complaints about the quality at all, I doubt I’ll use anything other then ocz now with the over clocking warranty on it.

--- edit ---
As for how to do the Bios, just grab the manual off the mobo's website.
Usually just download the update then use an application u get on your CD to install.
The Asus Flash tool is extremely simple.

Cheers Nat, will have a look into it

Imo "if it aint broke dont fix it"

I've only updated bios a couple of times, going to have to update it on my laptop once Dell release a fix for my wifi catcher but if they don;t fix that or if it wasn't broken to start with I wouldn't bother updating.