Building your own PC is a bit intimidating. But as you plan your gaming, here is what you need to know to build your own gaming PC. It can feel like you’re missing a huge chunk of the puzzle, but there are many resources available to take that first step. A PC is an investment, and you want to make sure it will last you years before having to upgrade.
Building your own PC is a lot of fun too because it feels more personal than buying one from the store and it gives you more control over the specs. Take a look at this guide for what you should know before building your own gaming PC.
Components you’ll need
To build a gaming PC, you’ll need:
- A chassis
- A motherboard
- An SSD (solid state drive)
- A CPU (processor)
- Memory
- Graphics card
- Power supply
- Hard drive or SSD
The Parts of a Gaming PC
There are many parts that make up a gaming PC. From the CPU to the graphics card, each component plays an important role in determining your computer’s performance. You’ll want to carefully consider what you need and how much you can afford before you start shopping for parts.
1) Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The central processing unit is the “brain” of your computer. This is where calculations are performed and instructions executed. The CPU is responsible for communicating with other components in your system, such as RAM and the motherboard. There are four major manufacturers of CPUs: AMD, Intel, NVidia, and Qualcomm.
2) Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
A GPU is a specialized device capable of rendering images on a monitor or television screen. GPUs are utilized by games to produce richly detailed visuals, even when displaying screens with high rates of motion or detail.
A modern GPU will have at least 1GB of memory dedicated to frame buffer storage and can display millions of colors per second at resolutions related to the monitor’s native resolution without any noticeable distortion or artifacts in image quality or speed.
3) Memory (RAM)
Random Access Memory is persistent storage that gives your PC temporary space to store data while it performs operations on it and then retrieves it as needed.
The more RAM you have on hand, the more applications you can use simultaneously without dipping into hard disk storage space or slowing down performance. Some late-model gaming PCs may come with 16
Parts Required To Build A PC
In order to build a PC, you need a motherboard, CPU, power supply, memory (RAM), graphics card (optional for desktop PCs), hard drive or solid state drive, case, and operating system.
When purchasing your parts, it is important to remember that RAM and the price of the motherboard are often linked so it is best to look into them at the same time. You also want to get a warranty on any part of your PC that includes moving parts.
The most common type of motherboard is ATX. ATX motherboards are durable and have more slots than other types of motherboards which means they can handle more and better quality hardware. Another type of motherboard is mini-ATX which is smaller but still has a lot of slots available.
There are many different types of CPUs but in order to build a PC you will need an Intel or AMD processor. Power supplies convert AC power into DC power for your computer systems and if you don’t have enough wattage your pc may not work properly or at all!
Memory (RAM) is used as temporary storage for programs running on your computer. The requirements for the size of your RAM depend on what type of pc you are creating–some need 4GB while others need 32GB so be sure to check before buying!
Graphics cards are found in desktops only because they add some visual effects but aren’t needed in laptops because laptops use integrated graphics instead. Hard drives or Solid State Drives (SS
How to Assemble a PC
There are four main steps to assembling a PC. The first step is to identify the parts you want. This can sometimes be overwhelming, but luckily there are many sites that will provide you with a list of the best parts for your budget. Make sure that you check prices on the sites you find!
Sometimes they’re cheaper than others. Once you’ve gathered all of your parts, it’s time to start putting it together. The next step is assembling the power supply, motherboard and CPU so they work together properly. This can be tricky if this is your first time, but don’t worry!
There are plenty of videos and tutorials online to help you figure out what goes where.
The last step is adding any other components that you want such as storage or RAM (random access memory). When you’re done assembling your system, it’s time to add some protection from viruses and spyware (for peace of mind) and optimize your PC for maximum performance.
Optimizing Your PC
After you’ve got your computer built, you can optimize it for your own specific needs. You might want to customize the operating system (OS) and apply various tweaks to make sure that your computer is running smoothly.
You can also spend time customizing your desktop to include shortcuts and widgets. After you’ve optimized your PC, it will be perfect for you!
Hardware: The parts that are inside the computer, like the CPU, hard drive, RAM, etc. Software: Anything that runs on a computer; this includes things like web browsers and operating systems.
You should invest in more RAM if you do a lot of multitasking or play memory-heavy games. If you use a lot of programs at once or use a lot of demanding software, then investing in more RAM is an excellent choice for optimizing your PC.
How to Choose the PC Parts
Get the right motherboard: A motherboard is the foundation of your PC. It’s what will hold everything together and allow all the other components to communicate with each other. You want a motherboard that has a socket type for the CPU you want to use. This is also where you’ll plug in other things like RAM, video cards, and sound cards.
Get the right graphics card: A graphics card is what handles all of the graphics rendering in your PC. It makes sense to match your graphics card with a monitor that has similar resolution – this will maximize performance and minimize strain on your eyes.
Graphics cards come in two basic flavors: integrated or discrete graphics cards. Integrated graphics should only be considered if you’re on a strict budget as they can’t be upgraded at any later time. Discrete graphics will typically offer better performance but are more expensive and require more power than integrated graphics cards.
Get the right CPU: The CPU is arguably one of the most important component in your build because it’s what handles all of your general computing tasks like browsing web pages or word processing programs – not just games!
You need to know exactly how many cores, threads, or CPUs you need to make sure that your personal computer runs smoothly during heavy multitasking sessions. Some games may also require an i7 processor or higher for optimal performance so it’s worth investing for those games if necessary!
Get enough memory: Memory is one of those components that gets overlooked too often when
What Is The Best Brand?
There are many brands on the market to choose from, but there are some that are certainly better than others.
A few of these brands include:
MSI
GIGABYTE
ASUS
EVGA
MSI is a popular choice for people building their own gaming PC (and other computers) because they offer a huge range of products at different price points.
MSI’s Gaming line offers some of the best graphics cards on the market, and the main reason for this is that they have a partnership with NVIDIA. This means they can provide customers with the latest NVIDIA graphics card, often before any other brand gets it.
GIGABYTE is another popular choice as they offer well-performing motherboards with an affordable price tag. They have been making motherboards since 1985 and have become one of the leading motherboard manufacturers in the industry.
GIGABYTE have also partnered with NVIDIA to create their own custom versions of NVIDIA GPUs and CPUs, which are often found on their more expensive models. ASUS is another respected manufacturer who manufacture both motherboards and graphics cards.
ASUS’ ROG line offers high-quality products from powerful gaming desktops to laptops that offer great performance for intense gaming sessions on the go.
EVGA is one final respected brand you should consider when deciding what parts you want in your new gaming PC as they specialize in overclocking hardware components to ensure maximum performance for enthusiasts who push their systems to the limit in order to gain bragging rights among their friends
Resources for building your own computer
Building your own PC is a lot of fun, but it can feel daunting. Luckily, there are plenty of resources available to help you make the decision.
One great resource is PCPartPicker. With this website, you can easily browse through different parts and see how much each individual gaming PC part will cost.
For example, if you were looking for a motherboard, you could type in what kind of motherboard you wanted and compare prices from different stores.
This way, you know what’s out there and what you’re getting for your money. You can also use this site to find deals on the specific parts that are cheaper than other retailers.
Another good resource is Reddit’s r/BuildAPC subreddit. Here, people post their builds with questions about things like which RAM they should get or how they should connect their power supply cables to the motherboard.
This is an excellent place to start if you have any hesitations in your build process because some people have had these exact problems before and there are always knowledgeable answers ready to be found!
The steps to building your own gaming PC
Before you can build your own PC, you need to know the steps.
1) Decide what type of PC you want to build.
2) Determine what components are needed for the type of PC you want, and purchase them.
3) Gather all the parts and find a suitable work space. Make sure it is well-lit and has enough room to move around.
4) Read through the instructions on how to assemble the PC, so you know what order the components should go in, and where they go.
5) Follow along with the assembly process. If done right, it can take about an hour or two.
Problems that could come up
Building a PC is not without its problems. If you’re not careful about the parts you buy, you could end up with a $2000 computer that has a graphics card from 2005 and can’t play any of the latest games at the highest quality.
When building your own PC it’s important to make sure you have all of your parts in order beforehand. You’ll need to take care when choosing the motherboard, power supply, CPU, RAM, hard drive, GPU and monitor for your build.
Make sure these all work together or else you could end up dealing with a bunch of compatibility issues down the line.
If you aren’t careful about what parts you buy, this could lead to some problems in the future. One example is forgetting to buy an adequate power supply which might cause trouble when your gaming rig starts drawing more power than before. This could lead to system instability or even damage!
Luckily there are plenty of resources available to help out new gamers who want to build their own rigs. There are also videos online where gamers walk through step by step how they built their own PCs so check them out!
Specs aren’t compatible or there are driver issues
Sometimes, you may run into a situation where your specs are not compatible with the game. Drivers are also a common issue. If you’re running into driver issues, try downloading the newest drivers and installing them before running the game again.
There’s not enough space on the motherboard or in the case
The first thing you need to consider is that there might not be enough space for your components. The motherboard and case are the two main things that affect this, but you also have to make sure there’s enough room for your power supply.
The power supply isn’t powerful enough
One of the most common mistakes people make when building their own PC is not getting a power supply that’s powerful enough. A general guideline to follow is that your power supply should have at least 70% of the wattage of your PC’s total power use.
For example, if your PC uses 350 watts, you should get a PSU with at least 210 watts. If you don’t know how much wattage your PC will use, refer to the manufacturer’s website or take note of how much power it uses while in its idle state.
The Best Time Of Year For Gaming PC Deals
One of the best times to build your own computer is right before the new year. This is when manufacturers are trying to get rid of their old inventory and make room for the new models coming out in the New Year.
If you’re looking for a deal, this is the time to do it! Manufacturers will shave off a few hundred dollars from their already low prices in order to get rid of all of their inventory.
It’s also good because you won’t have to worry about any products getting discontinued due to newer models coming out, like they would at other times of the year.
The best hardware stores that sell parts are Amazon and Micro Center. If you’re looking for deals on RAM or hard drives, Micro Center has some really great prices on those items.
Amazon can be expensive on certain parts, so it might be worth checking out Micro Center first.
How To Get Free Protection From Viruses And Spyware
The internet is a wild place, and it’s easy to get a virus or spyware if you’re not careful. But now that you have your own computer, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself!
There are many options for software protection. Some people prefer free software, like ZoneAlarm or Avast!, while others want the extra protection that comes with paid software.
It all depends on what you feel comfortable with! If you’re looking for free virus protection, there are some great options for you too. AVG offers a free version of their antivirus software (that has been around since 1991), and Avira offers something similar.
It’s up to you which one is the best fit for your lifestyle!
Where To Buy PC Parts
If you’re looking for the best deals, there are a few places to shop. The first is online where you can find unbeatable prices on things like RAM and hard drives. You can also find deals at big box stores like Costco and BJ’s in the hardware department.
Amazon is another good option if you’re looking for the best computer parts at affordable prices with free shipping.
FAQS
Where can I Buy PC Parts?
If you’re looking for the best deals, there are a few places to shop. The first is online where you can find unbeatable prices on things like RAM and hard drives. You can also find deals at big box stores like Costco and BJ’s in the hardware department.
What Should I Build If I Have A Tight Budget?
Building a gaming PC is an expensive hobby, but you don’t have to break the bank. When it comes to budget builds, you can always start by looking at pre-built desktops that come with powerful processors and graphics cards.
What Is A Personal Computer?
A personal computer (PC) is a computer that you use privately. It can do the same thing as a public computer, but it doesn’t cost anything and you don’t have to be in a library or office building to use it.
What is a gaming PC?
A gaming PC is a computer designed to play video games. It’s often more expensive than a standard PC because it comes with better specs and more powerful hardware.
Conclusion
Building your own gaming PC is not a straightforward process. There are a lot of steps, components to consider, and potential pitfalls that you need to be aware of before you get started. Luckily, we’ve compiled everything you need to know to build your own gaming PC in this guide.