Building an awesome gaming PC doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a few basic components, a lot of research, and careful planning, you can build a high-performance gaming PC that will exceed your expectations. Here’s how to do it:
1. Choose your processor. Depending on your budget, look for a processor that is powerful enough for the games you want to play. Keep in mind that you don’t need the most expensive model; you’d be better off finding one that fits your budget, but offers good performance as well.
2. Pick your graphics card. This is one of the most important components of your gaming PC. Make sure to buy a card that offers good performance and is compatible with your processor. Also, consider getting an extra card if you have the budget to do so.
3. Get a power supply. It’s important to get a good one so you don’t overload your system. Choose one that fits your needs and system components, and make sure it has good efficiency ratings.
4. Get the right RAM. Pick RAM with a fast clock speed and a large amount of memory. Good RAM will help your system run more smoothly, and your games will run faster.
5. Choose a case and a motherboard. To get the best performance for your gaming PC, choose a larger case that allows for more ventilation. Also, make sure the motherboard you choose is compatible with your other components.
6. Select a reliable storage device. This is essential for saving your games and files. Look for an SSD or a Solid State Drive, as they will give you much faster access and loading times.
7. Put it all together. Once you have all the components ready, it’s time to assemble your gaming PC. Start by putting together the case, then adding the motherboard and the other components, and finally plugging in all the necessary cables. Be careful while doing this, as you should avoid any short-circuiting.
Expansion #1 – Cooling System
Your gaming PC needs a cooling system to prevent it from overheating. Ideally, you should choose a liquid cooling system that comes with a radiator and a fan. This will help keep your gaming PC cool even when you’re using it to play the most demanding games. Furthermore, make sure you have a dedicated fan for the GPU, as most GPUs run quite hot on their own.
Also, make sure you are using case fans to provide additional cooling. An air cooler may work for basic gaming purposes, but for more intense gaming sessions, you might find yourself needing additional fans for adequate cooling.
The placement of your fans is also important. Both intake and exhaust fans enable air circulation inside the case, and having them in the right spot can improve cooling performance. Make sure your intake fans go on the front and the top of your case, while having the exhaust fan at the rear.
Finally, dust also causes problems. Dust can inhibit cooling, as it clogs up the radiators and fans. To keep your rig clean and efficient, make sure to dust it regularly.
Expansion #2 – Peripherals and Accessories
Once you’ve built your gaming PC, you’ll need hardware peripherals to actually use it. At the bare minimum, you’ll need a keyboard and a mouse, but you may want to look into gaming peripherals such as gaming headsets, controllers and monitors.
Gaming headsets are great for immersive gaming and provide crystal clear audio, while gaming controllers give you more precise and accurate control over your games. Monitors are also key, and you should look for one with a high-resolution and fast refresh rate. This will ensure your games look great and run smoothly.
Finally, consider adding some additional accessories for a better gaming experience. For example, a game capture card can allow you to capture your games and share them with friends and family. A gaming chair can also make gaming more comfortable, and a racing wheel can give you more realistic driving experiences.
Expansion #3 – Upgrading components
Since many people upgrade their PCs over time, you may find yourself needing to upgrade a few components at some point. This is especially true if you are a competitive gamer who needs the highest performance to stay competitive.
Upgrading your CPU or RAM can often provide small but welcome performance gains. You can also upgrade your graphics card, but it’s important to choose one that is compatible with your current motherboard and power supply.
You can also upgrade your storage by getting a larger or faster solid state drive. This will make loading and saving times much faster and will improve overall performance.
Finally, don’t forget to upgrade your power supply as well if you are upgrading other components. A good power supply will give you more headroom to upgrade other components and provide additional performance.
Expansion #4 – Operating System and Software
Once you have your gaming PC built and you’ve loaded your peripherals, it’s time to install the operating system. Most modern gaming PCs come with Windows 10 installed, but you can also choose to use Linux for gaming if you prefer.
You’ll also need additional software for gaming. Using a game launcher such as Steam or Origin from EA will give you an interface to download and manage games. Also, you may need additional software depending on the games you’re playing, such as anti-cheating software.
Finally, aim to install the latest driver updates whenever possible. Updating the GPU driver, for example, can provide better support for newer games and even improve performance in certain cases.
