Building a great gaming PC on a budget is possible with a few simple steps and the right knowledge. Contrarily to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be expensive. All you need is to get the best price for top quality components, know the basics of how to shop for them, how to build a PC and how to take care of it. Here’s a guide to help you through.
First, set a budget for everything you need. Estimate the cost of the PC case, power supply, memory, CPU and graphics card. Make sure you’ve left room for any peripherals you also want such as gaming mouse, keyboard, controller and monitor. Make sure your budget will also give you an allowance for any necessary upgrades you may want in the future.
Second, collaborate with people who can suggest good performance components. There are many components available on the market, so it’s best to get the opinion of a tech-savvy friend or even join a gaming forum. You can find plenty of reviews on individual components and system recommendations.
Third, start shopping. Keep in mind the components that have been recommended on the forum and compare prices. Find out which shop offers the best prices and benefits-free shipping, tax incentives, discounts, etc. Check the return policy of the seller before making a purchase.
Fourth, compare prices with other shops. Shopping online lets you compare more. Sign up for newsletters, email alerts and member programs to get the best deals.
Fifth, if possible, buy from the same shop. This way, you’ll benefit from better discounts and loyalty points that you can use on your next purchases.
Sixth, order the parts and wait for them to arrive. After you’ve placed your order, take the time to watch some videos of how to properly assemble a gaming PC to make sure everything goes right.
Lastly, carefully assemble your gaming PC and set it up to test it. Make sure that all the components are properly connected, that the software is properly installed, and that you’ve followed all the instructions on how to configure the system. Once the testing is done, you can start enjoying your gaming PC.
Choosing the Right Components
Investing in good quality components is a sure way to get the best gaming experience out of your computer. Here’s a few tips to make sure you get the most out of them.
First, make sure your components are compatible with one another. They must be able to communicate with each other and share the same interface. To get the best performance, consider the high-end components that pack the best power per price.
Second, in order to ensure the best performance, look for components that are consistently well reviewed by other gamers. Check each component’s benchmark scores and compare them to others.
Third, to avoid spending too much, look for components that deliver good performance even with lower-end parts. Pick the ones that have fewer features or lower specs and maximize their performance by pairing them with top-of-the-line parts.
Fourth, pay attention to the cooling system of your components. Pick good quality fans and coolers and make sure you keep the airflow in your computer case in check.
Fifth, build a redundant power system to keep your gaming PC running in case of a power outage or surge. Invest in a good quality UPS or Power Conditioner and configure them properly.
Building a Gaming PC on a Budget
It is possible to build a great gaming PC without breaking the bank.
First, set up a plan for all the components you need. Make sure you get the best performance for each dollar you spend. Get more than you think you need and stick to your budget.
Second, do your research and read the reviews; most people only control the price of each component and not the performance of the parts they chose.
Third, compare prices at different stores so you get the best discounts. Don’t forget to check if the online store has taxes or shipping fees you should consider in your total.
Fourth, if you can, get the components from the same store. Many shops provide discounts for buying all your components in a single purchase.
Fifth, when all the components arrive, take your time to assemble them correctly and to watch tutorials about how to properly build PCs. Make sure you read the manual of each component and follow the procedures outlined by their manufacturers. Keep in mind that improper installation of the components can lead to serious damage in the long run.
Taking Care Of Your Gaming PC
Once you have your gaming PC up and running, it’s time to take a few measures to help it last longer.
First, to make your computer run smooth and fast, keep it clean by removing dust regularly. Every few weeks, blow out the dust accumulated on the fan blades. This can help improve the performance of your gaming PC.
Second, make sure to update the drivers of your components. Developers releases new drivers that fix bugs and tweak the performance of your hardware.
Third, increase your computer’s security by installing an anti-virus. This will protect you against malicious software, ransomware and other online threats.
Fourth, if you want to give your computer an extra performance boost, install a game booster app. It cleans your RAM and boosts the speed of your PC.
Fifth, if you plan to overclock your gaming PC, benchmark its performance with one of the available benchmarking software to make sure the change produces a noticeable performance boost.
Future Upgrades
Gaming PCs don’t have to be expensive, by planning ahead of time, a great gaming PC on a budget can make your gaming experience truly enjoyable.
First, research the next generation of components. Prepare for future upgrades by buying components that are compatible with what’s going to be available in the coming months.
Second, in order to make sure your computer is ready for new games, check the minimum requirements of each game you plan to play.
Third, when a new game is released, keep an eye out for benchmark tests to get an idea of how it runs on different machines.
Fourth, check if your computer’s components are the ones top-end gamers are using. If its performance can be improved by making only a few upgrades, make a budget and get the best parts you can afford.
Fifth, plan ahead when deciding to upgrade your gaming PC. Don’t avoid buying components because prices may be lower in the future. If you’re able to get discounts or better prices at the moment, go for it.
