Building a gaming PC in 2021 requires an understanding of the current technology, an eye for the best deals, and a little bit of patience. You’ll need to factor in costs such as shipping, delivery time, and any associated taxes when planning your budget. The good news is that with the right selection of components, you can have a powerful gaming PC in no time.
Firstly, you’ll need to choose a processor. An Intel Core i5 or i7 is essential for handling the high demands of modern games. While Intel’s 9th generation processors are popular in the market, AMD’s Ryzen options provide great value for money and excellent gaming performance. When selecting your processor, it’s important to consider the number of cores and threads, as well as onboard graphics capabilities.
Next, you’ll need to select a Motherboard. Choose one that is compatible with your processor of choice, as well as having enough ports for the peripherals you plan to use. It should also have enough RAM slots for future expansion. Your options for RAM depend greatly on your motherboard, with DDR4 being the most common type.
An essential component for PC gaming is a graphics card. It’s important to consider the memory and performance of the card you choose, as well as considering the wattage of the unit and the capacity of your power supply. The AMD and Nvidia ranges offer great power and performance, but be sure to take your time when choosing.
To ensure your gaming PC runs cool, you need to choose a cooling system. Fans and liquid systems are both popular options and provide varying levels of cooling. Consider the number of slots in your system and the airflow of the case when selecting your cooling system.
Storage space is a must-have for any gaming PC. When looking at hard drives, it’s important to consider their speed and capacity. Solid state drives offer better performance but lack capacity compared to traditional hard drives. However, a combination of the two is often a popular option for gamers due to the speed offered.
Finally, you need to choose the case for your gaming PC. It’s important to consider the size, style, and airflow of your chosen case, as they all have an impact on temperature, airflow, and noise levels. With so many options in the market, you can find something to fit your needs without breaking the bank.
Graphics Card
Graphics cards are essential for running modern games, with the most popular being AMD and Nvidia offerings. When browsing the market, it’s important to consider the overall performance, memory, and power requirements when selecting a card. Additionally, the wattage of the card and the power supply you choose should be compatible.
When deciding on a graphics card, ensure that it’s compatible with the motherboard and other components. Consider the number of cores and the cooling method of the card to ensure it meets your gaming needs. Also research the benchmarks, reviews, and customer experiences before making a selection.
For PC gamers, a good graphics card is essential for enjoying the latest games. Research the benchmarks, reviews and customer experiences before making your decision, and always ensure the card is compatible with your other computer components. With an understanding of the current technology and an eye for the best deals, finding the right graphics card shouldn’t be a difficult task.
Storage Space
Storage space is an important consideration for any gaming PC, especially when you add in files like game rips and save games. An important factor to consider is the speed and capacity of the hard drive, and a combination of both traditional hard drive and solid state drive is often popular with gamers due to their balance of cost and performance.
Hybrid drives are worth exploring as an option for gamers, as they offer the best of both worlds with a traditional hard drive for capacity and solid state for speed. When selecting a storage device, factors such as the data transfer rate, random access time, and storage volume come into play. Again, ensure that the components are compatible and you’ve researched the benchmarks and customer experience before making a purchase.
Game rips and save games often require a lot of storage space, which is why having a balance of a hard drive and solid state drive is often recommended. When selecting storage, ensure you’ve researched the benchmarks and customer experiences, and you’ve checked that the storage device is compatible with the other components.
Motherboard
Choosing the right motherboard for gaming is essential for performance and compatibility. To ensure your chosen components work together, consider the chipset when selecting your motherboard. As different processors and graphics cards use different chipsets, be sure to double check your motherboard is compatible.
When selecting a motherboard for a gaming PC build, consider the form factor, number of ports, RAM slots, and power connectors. Additionally, it’s important to note what kind of connections are available and if there are any additional features such as overclocking, extra slots, and networking options. With an understanding of the current technology, you can find the right motherboard to suit your gaming needs.
Finding the right motherboard for a gaming PC requires an understanding of the current technology, and knowledge of the right form factor and compatible chipsets. Take into account the number of ports, RAM slots, and power connectors, and consider the additional features such as overclocking and networking options. With the right selection of components, you’ll have a powerful gaming PC in no time.
Power Supply
A power supply unit is an important component for any gaming setup, as it provides the wattage to all the components. You’ll need to determine the wattage and type of connectors for all your components, then select a PSU with a suitable wattage and enough connections for them all. As part of this, you’ll need to factor in future upgrades and expansions.
When selecting a PSU, always look for reputable brand names and models with high efficiency ratings. Efficiency ratings determine how much of the total power drawn from the grid is converted into usable power for the PC’s components. Additionally, you’ll need to research the wattage requirements of all components before buying a power supply.
For a gaming PC, you’ll need a power supply with enough wattage to meet the demands of all components, plus additional power reserves for future upgrades and expansions. Selecting a reliable brand and with an efficiency rating of above 80% is recommended, and ensure your research the wattage needs of all components before purchase.
Cooling Systems
Cooling systems are essential for any gaming PC to prevent the components from overheating. Popular options for cooling include fans and liquid systems, with the latter being great for providing a silent operation. When selecting a cooling system, think about the airflow of the case, number of slots, and the components’ heat output.
Air cooling systems are the most common choice for gaming PCs, as they’re cost effective and require little maintenance. Most cases come with pre-installed fans, while additional cooling can be provided via aftermarket fans. Liquid cooling systems are also available and provide great performance levels and silence, with the downside being more complex setup and more frequent maintenance.
To ensure a gaming PC runs at its optimal level, you’ll need to choose an appropriate cooling system. Air cooling systems are the most cost-effective and require the least maintenance, while liquid systems provide better performance and silence. Regardless of the system you choose, be sure to consider airflow, slots, and heat output when selecting.
