I just got Crysis 1 five minutes ago and I'm wondering if there's anything I should know before diving in, technically-speaking? I've never played a PC game before...

More accurately, how the hell do I install it to begin with? I've never installed a PC game before (I don't want to blow anything up until I'm actually playing the game)

What format have you got it on?

If it's a disk just put it in your drive and double-click your drive icon in windows explorer. A window should pop up with a message to install.

PC games are easy to install. You just put the disc in the drive, and it should have an auto-run that brings up a launcher window. You can install from there.

Don't forget to download and install the Crysis 1.2 patch, and 1.2.1 hotfix. Just use Google to find em.

If the autorun thing isn't coming up, it might be because of the anti-piracy stuff on the Crysis disc. I've had lots of trouble with it in the past, specifically trying to read it from DVD-RW drive. This new drive I have can read it no problem, I was able to ditch my DVD-ROM drive finally.

Aside from that, you WILL need a very powerful PC to play the game at maxed settings. I'd say at least quad-core CPU, 2-4gb RAM, and at least a Radeon 4650 or a GeForce GTS 250 or 9800 GTX+. With that kind of setup, you can run this game at very close to maxed settings.

I don't really care about graphics that much- I'm really just into the story and gameplay, graphics are secondary.
Right now it's running fine but I'm not sure what graphics level I'm on, it's just using whatever it starts with, probably lowest.

My specs though are Intel Core Quad CPU with 8 GB RAM, so that definitely matches up with what you said, I don't know about the last part. I remember looking that up, but I forget where it was, lemme get back.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 120

How can I bump up my graphics? They might be at max level I can handle right now, but if all that checks out it would be nice to run it at a higher quality

You have to go in the options menu.. its right beneath the profile button.
There you can adjust the resolution and AA (smoother edges) to the right you can see the "advanced" section where you can adjust the single aspects of the details:

http://www.gamepodunk.com/uploads/gallery/album_244/gallery_100_244_43394.jpg

If you want to investigate how you can get the maximum out of Crysis by tweaking it on your own try this guide.

http://www.gamecritics.com/the-noobs-guide-to-optimizing-crysis

Otherwise i strongly recommend you install the msterconfig 3.01 with the "performance" -setting!

I tried that one on my laptop and it works brilliant while givin you the best performance-to-visuals ratio:

http://crysis.4thdimension.info/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=getit&lid=431

Just download it..then install it with the "performance" setting (it lets you choose in the installprocess).
You only have to start the game afterwards and adjust your resolution or AA level.. the advanced settings are not longer needed with this mod.

If you got any more questions just ask.

Edit:
Your grfxcard is unfortunately a very slow one which is rather used for officepcs and not for playing videogames. Just look out for something cheap and powerfull like the 8800 GTX on ebay..
for example this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/EVGA-NVIDIA-GeForce-8800-GTX-/120786392145?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item1c1f6e1451. But you may need a new powersuply then too because "newer" cards need their own powerconnection.

Ok thanks. Like I said, I don't need the top-notch settings, I just want to see if they could be better

Is "high" safe enough for that graphics card? I just clicked "Optimal Settings" and it set them all to high, so I'm assuming that's an ok setting...

Pfft, i tried it on my laptop and it set it all to medium. and i put it on low and got 20FPS i wouldnt trust that auto checker if i were you. but your computer wont blow up lol, just stutter. put it as high as you can while not making the game jerk/freeze

Just use the msterconfig with performance..trust me its the best choice for you.