Building your own Intel gaming PC is a great way to get the most out of gaming. You get better performance per dollar, more control over what you get, and can customize it to your exact needs. Here’s our guide on how to put together your Intel gaming PC.
The first thing to consider when building a PC is what type of processor you’d like to use. Intel has a range of options, but the most popular are Intel’s Core i7 and Core i9 CPUs. These offer great performance and a range of features including support for multiple cores and threads, overclocking capability, and AES-NI support. For gaming, the Core i7 will provide good performance, but for best performance, you’ll want to opt for the Core i9.
Next, you’ll need to decide on a motherboard. This is the base your system will be built around, and it’ll determine your CPU and RAM support, connectivity options, and other features. Intel’s own motherboards offer great performance and are specifically designed for Intel processors. Look for one that supports your CPU, has the amount of RAM slots you need, and the connectivity you need.
With your motherboard chosen, you can pick out your RAM and storage. Intel motherboards usually support DDR4 RAM, which provides high speed performance. You’ll also want to get an SSD for booting up games quickly and keeping your saved games safe. Make sure to check the specifications of your motherboard to make sure what RAM and storage you get are compatible.
You’ll also need to pick out a video card. Intel motherboards usually support the latest GeForce and Radeon cards, so you can choose one based on the kind of games you want to play. As with most components, the more powerful the card you get, the more money you’ll have to pay. But since you’re building your own PC, you can choose the best card for your budget.
Finally, you’ll need to choose a power supply and case. The power supply must be strong enough for all the components you’ve chosen, so make sure you check the wattage rating. A case should be chosen with the style and size of your components in mind; larger cards will require bigger cases, and larger cases will need more room for the power supply and other components.
To Pick The Right Components
One of the most important steps in building a gaming PC is selecting the right components. Performance is key, but you’ll also need to make sure all of your components are compatible with each other. You’ll also want to consider your budget when selecting components, as higher-end components can quickly become expensive.
When picking a CPU, make sure to get one with enough power to run the kinds of games you want to play. Intel’s Core i7 and Core i9 CPUs offer excellent performance and are the most popular options for gaming. You’ll also need to pick a motherboard; these come in different form factors so make sure to get one that fits your case and supports your CPU of choice.
For RAM, Intel motherboards usually support DDR4 memory, which offers excellent performance. You’ll also need to consider storage; SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives and are a great choice for booting up games quickly. A video card is also important, and you can pick one based on the kind of games you want to play; more powerful cards can get expensive, however, so make sure to pick one that fits your budget.
Finally, you’ll need to pick a case, power supply, and other components such as cooling solutions and optical drives. Make sure to check the wattage rating of the power supply to make sure it’s strong enough, and try to get a case that fits all your components.
How To Build Your PC
Once you’ve picked out all the components, the next step is to build the PC. You’ll need a few tools and a steady hand, but you’ll be able to get it done relatively quickly. Make sure to read the manual supplied with your case and other components to make sure you install everything correctly.
Start by installing the motherboard into the case, carefully and evenly screwing it in to make sure it’s properly secured. Next, mount the CPU and RAM, making sure to follow the instructions from the CPU manual. Once that’s done, plug in the wires from the power supply and fan, so they’re hooked up to the motherboard.
Next, install the video card and hard drive, as well as other components such as an optical drive. Make sure to use the appropriate cables to plug everything in. Once all the components are installed, you can connect the display, input and other peripherals, and turn on the power supply. The PC should boot up, and you’ll be ready to install an operating system.
Make sure to double-check all the connections and cable management, and you’re ready to go! Building a computer can be daunting, but as long as you take your time and read through the manuals and instructions, it shouldn’t be too complicated.
Setting Up And Optimizing Software
Once all the hardware is installed, the next step is to install the operating system and other software. For the latest Intel gaming PC, Windows 10 is a great choice, as it provides excellent performance and a range of features. Make sure to install the latest drivers and software to make sure everything works properly.
You can also install various programs to improve performance and optimize your gaming experience. Programs like Razer Cortex can help improve game performance, while programs like Overclockers can help you get the most out of your hardware by overclocking it. NVIDIA GeForce Experience also provides a range of features and tweaks to get the most out of your video card.
Finally, make sure to make regular backups of your system, so you can restore it quickly in case of a crash or other issue. Externa hard drives are a great choice for this, as they provide large amounts of storage and are relatively inexpensive.
Troubleshooting And Maintenance
Once your system is up and running, make sure to keep it in good shape. Software and drivers can become outdated, so make sure to update them regularly. Additionally, check on your hardware from time to time to make sure everything is working properly; look out for signs of overheating or other issues.
You can also configure various settings to make sure your games run well. You’ll need to tweak settings such as resolution, texture quality, and framerates to get the best performance, and some games have specific settings you’ll need to change. Make sure to check the game’s specifications to see which settings will be best.
Finally, if something isn’t working properly, you’ll need to troubleshoot it. Common issues can usually be resolved by looking through the game’s settings or updating drivers and software. If nothing helps, you can try looking for solutions online, or look for technical support from the game’s developer or your hardware manufacturer.
Taking Your Intel Gaming PC To The Next Level
Once you’ve got your Intel gaming PC up and running, you can start taking it to the next level. With the right parts, you can start overclocking your CPU and other components to get even better performance. You can also spend time customizing the look of your PC, to make it truly personalized and unique.
More advanced users can look into building a liquid cooling system, which will allow them to keep their system running at peak performance, even under the heaviest of loads. And if you’re looking to get into PC modding, you can add custom lights, fans, and other details to create a truly unique PC.
Finally, there are tons of accessories you can invest in, such as gaming keyboards and mice, gaming chairs, and other peripherals. These can help you get even more out of your PC, and give you a more immersive gaming experience.
