So, you’ve decided to build your own gaming PC. Great choice. Not only do custom gaming PCs allow you to tailor your machine to your gaming needs and preferences, but it gives you a foundation to upgrade long into the future—letting you save plenty of money down the line while still having top-tier performance.
There’s only one catch… Building your first PC can be a bit of an uphill battle. Especially if you have no background in computing.
But don’t worry. This article will break down all the key parts you need to consider while building your PC, to get you on the right track.
1. Case
Fundamental to any build is the case. A case has a few functions. Most obviously it is the housing which will hold all your parts. But it is also the part of the computer you will spend the most time looking at—defining the aesthetics of your entire machine. It will also influence cooling performance and noise levels.
The most important things to consider here are that your case is large enough for all your parts and their cooling, and the look of your build. Because of the first, you may want to counterintuitively choose your other parts first before choosing a case.
2. Motherboard
A Motherboard is the glue which holds a computer together—not literally, but computationally. It is the main circuit board to which all other components are connected. Because of this, you need to ensure that your motherboard is compatible with both your CPU and your GPU. Motherboards also come with built-in slots for RAM, GPUs, expansion cards and ports. So you’ll want to choose a motherboard which suits your needs and—better yet—gives you some options to expand your setup in the future.
3. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Now into the technical parts. The CPU is the brain of the computer that handles the majority of tasks on a computer. For gaming, you want a CPU that is powerful enough to handle your games of choice. The most popular CPUs come from AMD and Intel; although there are other options available.
4. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
The GPU is perhaps the most discussed part by gamers, given that it’s the component which does the heavy lifting when rendering graphics. The better your GPU, the higher resolution, frame rate and graphics setting you’ll be able to choose in games. While it may be tempting to buy the newest GPU, remember that GPUs develop quickly year-on-year so your investment may lose value quickly. Thus, it can be more economical to purchase powerful GPUs a couple of generations behind the current ones—particularly as these are often still good enough to max out most games.
5. RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM deals with short term memory. Gaming generally requires quite a lot of ram—16GB being the recommended. However RAM is generally cheaper than other parts, so you can give yourself significant improvements in performance with 32GB. However, if you have a motherboard with multiple RAM ports, this is always something you can upgrade later.
At this point, your head may be spinning with all the decisions you have to make… But don’t worry. Take some time to play a game; perhaps buy a top-tier up a honkai star rail account for sale online; then come back and continue. Building your PC is a long journey, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
6. Storage
When selecting storage you can choose between SSDs and HDDs. SSDs are fast and reliable, and far better for gaming given their quick access. While HDDs are slower but significantly cheaper. For gaming, you will want to opt for an SSD.
7. Power Supply Unit (PSU)
Your PC obviously needs enough power to run all of its parts. This power requirement will be dictated by the parts you choose, so ensure that you select a power supply with enough wattage to handle all your components. You will also want to buy one which has an 80 Plus certification; ensuring efficiency and reliability.
8. Cooling System
High end PCs get hot. And without proper cooling, this can cause serious problems from crashes to literally melting those expensive parts. There are various different methods of cooling, but whatever you choose ensure that it is powerful enough for your chosen parts. And, while it can be tempting to go for complex solutions like water cooling these are not recommended within your first build due to their additional complexity.
9. Operating System (OS)
After all this, you’ll need to choose your OS. If you’re on PC, you’re most likely going to be choosing between Windows and Linux. This decision is up to you, but Windows offers the broadest support for gaming.
10. Peripherals
After building your PC you of course need your peripherals. We’re talking a nice keyboard and mouse, good speakers and a powerful screen to display those killer graphics. Remember to keep these items in mind when budgeting. After all, there’s no point having a PC which can render 4K 240fps when your monitor is only 720p 60fps.
Building a PC is a journey which takes a lot of research, patience and a willingness to learn. But it is a journey that is incredibly rewarding for years to come. So be sure to take your time with it; you won’t regret it.
