Building your own gaming PC can represent a great opportunity to make great savings. For starters, as an intelligent customer, you can select parts that provide the best value. You can actively shop around and compare the prices of the parts and choose the ones that best fit within your gaming budget. Not only that, but you can also take advantage of the discounts and deals available online, especially when shopping sites like Amazon have sales, making the perfect component become even more affordable. Furthermore, you can customise the components to better suit your needs as you can experiment with different combinations and find the best equipment for your gaming objectives.
Moreover, by carefully researching, you can browse through various components for the best performance for the best cost. You can then carefully select the parts that best suit your gaming specification and budget, saving yourself money by not layering the parts for features you cannot take full advantage of. Additionally, building your own PC can also provide a great opportunity to upgrade whenever need be.
Another great advantage is the fact that assembling your own PC allows you to familiarise yourself with the components and understand their functions. This further benefits both you and your wallet down the line, as it allows you to either quickly replace faulty components or add extra equipment when needed. Furthermore, now a days, there are numerous ‘how to’ videos and tutorials on the web, allowing you to understand the basics of assembly and even understand how to find the best deals for components. In this way, you can further your PC building expertise, whilst still ensuring that you’re not over-spending.
Finally, you should always check the compatibility of the different components to ensure that all parts are able to work together in harmony and your gaming performance is fully optimised. Buying the wrong parts that don’t work together can lead to heavy losses. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious when selecting components, you should always look into the latest reviews of the components before making any purchases.
Components
The components of a gaming PC are important to consider when building your own set-up, as it’s essential to have the latest technology and the right specifications to maintain top performance. With the right combination, they can provide a wide range of possibilities in terms of graphical capabilities and multitasking. Therefore, you should ensure that the combination you choose is up to the requirements of your games. Fortunately, most mainstream games are now designed for various combinations, so you don’t have to invest in the latest components to enjoy them.
However, if you’re looking to get the highest performance from your gaming PC, then you should make sure you select components that will work together, and are on-trend. There are several components that you need to take into consideration, such as the CPU, Graphics Card, RAM, Motherboard, Cooling System, Storage, Case, and any additional peripheral devices. Each component will be unique in their own way, ranging in cost, speed, and size, so it’s best to research into them before buying.
When looking for the best components that fit into your budget and allow you to build the best gaming PC, then you should consider the type of games you want to play, the graphics, and the performance they offer. It’s also very beneficial to assess the types of connections each component offers, so you don’t worry about connectivity down the line. Such as, if you’re looking for a high frame rate and extremely graphics heavy games, then you need to invest in components that will allow you to take full advantage of the available FPS.
CPU
The CPU, also known as the Central Processing Unit, is the brains behind the operation of your gaming PC. It runs the calculations and processes of the chosen software and games, so it’s essential that you choose the best processor for your gaming needs. The most common type of processor used is an Intel Core i7 processor as this is known for its impressive performance and lightning quick response times.
When looking for the best possible performance, it’s essential that you go for the fastest CPU available. As a rule of thumb, the higher the frequency you choose, the faster the speed that your processor can achieve. Other factors to consider are the amount of memory and the type of cache it has. Also, when looking at the cache, the larger the size of the cache, the faster your game will be able to load content.
Apart from being powerful and fast, you also need to pay close attention to the type of socket the CPU requires. The socket type will differ depending on your motherboard. Typically, the socket used to communicate with the motherboard will be different for each manufacturer. Therefore, you’ll need to match the socket to that of the motherboard.
Graphics Card
The graphics card is another important component to consider. It is responsible for the visuals in the game, as well as for the video output to your monitor. The graphics card also determines the gaming experience you’ll receive, so it’s important to find the right choice for your budget. You’ll need to consider how powerful the graphics card is and the number of output ports offered.
The graphics card is determined by the number of GPU cores you choose. The GPU cores determine how fast the graphics card can process information and the amount of detail that can be displayed. Fortunately, there are plenty of great GPUs available to choose from, and most of them will come with different output ports that enable multiple displays.
Also, be sure to check the power consumption of the graphics card, as many games require larger power consumption to operate optimally. The power consumption can vary depending on the game and its graphics settings, so always make sure you purchase the right power supply unit to support the gaming requirements.
RAM
RAM, or Random Access Memory, is often overlooked when building a gaming PC. RAM allows for faster loading times and smoother performance, so it’s essential that you choose the right amount of RAM for your gaming PC. The more RAM that you choose, the faster data can be processed. As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for 8GB or more of RAM for gaming purposes.
RAM also comes in different types and speeds, so make sure you choose wisely. The DDR3 RAM is the most commonly used, as this type is cheaper and has proven to be reliable and faster than the DDR2. Although, if you’re looking for even faster speeds and your budget allows for it, then the DDR4 RAM is the best choice.
Finally, to get the most out of your gaming PC, you should invest in faster RAM, as it offers unprecedented performance. Higher speeds mean that your PC can access information with ease, meaning the gaming experience will be smoother and quicker.
Motherboard
The motherboard is the main board of the system and serves as a foundation for the other components, such as the graphics card, processor and RAM. It’s essential that you choose the right motherboard, as this will determine the speed of information and data processing. As such, selecting a motherboard that offers enough ports and slots for the components you intend to purchase is essential.
When looking for the right gaming motherboard, you should consider the type of socket and chipset you’ll need, any additional connections, the PCIe slot count and the overall form factor. Another factor to consider is the number of USB ports, as most gaming components require USB connections. Generally, you should invest in a motherboard with plenty of slots, as this will allow for better upgrades in the future.
Also, bear in mind that some motherboards will lack certain features to keep costs down, so it’s best to prioritise your needs and opt for the most appropriate board available. For example, if you’re looking to set-up a gaming PC, then you need to invest in a board that suits your needs. This way, you will get the best performance for your budget.
Cooling System
A good cooling system is essential if you want your gaming PC to remain in optimal condition, and provide the best performance. It’s important to choose the right cooling system that matches your gaming requirements as well as your budget. As such, you should never go overboard with your cooling system as it won’t provide any additional performance benefits.
With all of the components running at the same time, the gaming PC needs to be cooled efficiently to prevent the parts from overheating. A good cooling system consists of a combination of fans, heatsinks, liquid coolers and other cooling devices. Fans are an ideal choice as they’re inexpensive and easy to install, as well as having a good cooling capacity. For example, the larger the fan size, the more air it can blow and in turn, the more heat it can dissipate.
However, if you’re looking for consistent cooling, then liquid cooling is the best option. It is a more reliable option overall and doesn’t require significant maintenance. Additionally, it can be more silent than traditional fan coolers. That said, liquid cooling is more expensive, but it’s worth the extra cost if you want to ensure that your gaming PC remains in the best condition.
Storage
Once you’ve finished building your gaming PC, you’ll need to consider storage solutions. Depending on what type of games you’re playing, you might require an additional storage device. The more space available, the smoother your gaming experience and the more games you can install.
For storage, your options are HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). An HDD is the most cost-effective option, but the slowest. An HDD can store a lot of data, however the spinning disks of the drive can cause slower read and write times. On the other hand, an SSD is a great option for gaming as it’s faster, quieter and smaller than its HDD counterpart.
Additionally, you should also consider the read and write speeds of each device. The read/write speeds will determine how quickly the games can load, helping you make the most of the gaming experience. Prices for these two types of storage can vary from one manufacturer to another, so ensure you always shop around for the best deals.
Case
Finally, the case is an essential component that provides both style and protection for your gaming PC. Cases come in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the one that fits your needs. The most popular cases are generally either a Mid-Tower or a Full-Tower case, both of which can easily hold all the components of your gaming PC.
The main points to consider when choosing a case are the durability, compatibility and its design. You should opt for a case that is made of sturdy material, such as steel or aluminium. Also, make sure the case can easily fit all the components, as some cases are too small to fit larger components such as a graphics card or cooling system. Finally, if you’re looking to add more fans or cooling systems in the future, then opt for a case that provides plenty of room to install them.
In conclusion, buying the parts necessary to build your own gaming PC can save you both time and money. Not only do you get to customise the parts to better suit your
