Constructing a gaming PC requires specific materials. You will need a processor, a power supply, a motherboard, a graphics card, RAM, a solid state drive (or hard drives), a cooling system, and a case to house your build. Beyond the necessary components, there are other items that are beneficial for optimum gaming performance. These include a gaming mouse, a monitor, and a mousepad. Additionally, having appropriate cables to manage airflow is critical for good temperature control, even when not gaming.
The processor is the brain of your PC, it is in charge of executing commands. Trying to secure the best processor can often be a daunting task, as they come in so many different models and varieties. An 11th Gen Intel i7 processor is a great option for building a gaming PC, as the Intel core series are renowned for their power. With eight cores, it should be able to handle any game you throw at it.
The power supply provides a direct stream of electricity to the hardware components within your computer. Too powerful of a power supply can be a waste of money, while too weak of a power supply can be problematic. A good rule of thumb is to choose a power supply with a wattage rating at least 2 times the total power draw of expected hardware. A 650 watt power supply would be ideal for a gaming PC build.
The motherboard is the most integral component of your gaming PC build. Everything else, such as the processor, graphics card, and drives, need to be compatible with the motherboard. It is important to select a motherboard that is capable of meeting your needs and requirements. Look for one with a strong chipset that can handle overlocking, as well as a good number of USB ports and a high memory support.
Graphics cards, or GPUs, are key elements in a gaming PC build. They are responsible for rendering the beautiful graphics you see in games. To get the best performance, you’ll want to pick a graphics card with at least 3 GB of dedicated GDDR5 or better RAM. A 1560 Ti or a 2060 would be a great choice for gaming.
Random Access Memory, or RAM, is necessary for most gaming PCs. It is the short-term memory of your computer, and it allows for faster loading of games and multitasking. Opting for 8 GB of DDR4 RAM is a great place to start, as it would enable most modern games to run smoothly.
Computer cases are also essential for a gaming PC build. Cases can vary in terms of size, shape, and material. They serve two major purposes: protect components, and provide the necessary airflow to keep the PC cool. Larger cases can hold more components and provide better airflow while smaller cases generally make the PC quieter. It is important to consider which type of case you should choose before proceeding with other components.
Solid State Drives
Solid state drives (SSDs) are now a must for gaming. You won’t get the best performance from a hard drive, as games can take several minutes to load from a hard drive since the data needs to be read from a spinning disk. An SSD would be much faster, as data can be read from the memory chips in an instant. Look for drives with at least 500 GB of storage capacity.
An SSD also helps improve boot-up times for your PC. Having an SSD for your primary drive means you don’t have to wait for the data to be read from a spinning disk, resulting in a much faster boot process. You won’t need a huge capacity drive for installing your OS, so a 120 GB or 250 GB drive should work fine.
The cost of SSDs has gone down significantly in the past few years. You can get a 500 GB SSD for under $100, and even a 1 TB drive for around double the price. It’s definitely worth considering getting an SSD instead of a traditional hard drive, as the performance gains will be noticeable.
An SSD is a great way to increase the storage for your gaming PC. It’s much faster than a traditional hard drive, making it ideal for storing your games and media. SSDs also have far better durability than hard drives, since they don’t have any moving parts. There are several different types of SSDs, such as 2.5”, mSATA, M.2, and PCIe. The most common type of SSD is the 2.5” drive, which are typically used for desktop PCs.
The size of the SSD you need will depend on the types of files you store on it. Most games will take up anywhere from 5 to 20 GB of space, so a 120 GB SSD should be enough for several games. If you plan on installing a lot of games, you may want to look into getting a larger drive; 500 GB drives are usually more than enough for most gamers.
Cooling System
A quality cooling system is essential for keeping your gaming PC running properly. Without adequate cooling, your components will be damaged due to heat buildup. A good CPU and GPU cooler can help keep your hardware running at optimal temperatures, even when running the most demanding games. All-in-one liquid coolers are a popular choice for gaming PCs.
Liquid coolers are easier to install than air coolers, since all you need to do is mount the radiator and connect the fans. They also perform better, since liquid is a much better conductor of heat than air. Some all-in-one coolers come with additional features such as RGB lighting that adds a nice effect to the inside of your PC.
Air coolers are the most common type of cooler, and they’re the original way to cool down a PC. They are often much cheaper than liquid coolers and can be mounted fairly easily. They are great for cooling both the CPU and GPU, but they won’t be as effective as a liquid cooler in terms of performance. Air coolers are also much louder, as the fan needs to spin at a much higher speed to achieve the same cooling performance.
When selecting a cooler for your gaming PC, it’s important to take your budget and requirements into consideration. Generally, liquid coolers are the better choice for serious gamers, as they provide better cooling performance and are typically quieter. Air coolers are cheaper and still a viable option, but they won’t provide the same level of performance as a liquid cooler.
No matter which type of cooler you decide to go with, the goal is to keep the temperature of your components as low as possible. Keeping your components running at optimal temperatures will help to extend their lifespan and maximize performance. Investing in a quality cooler is a good way to ensure optimal performance in your gaming PC.
Surface Area
Surface area plays a significant role in both airflow and cooling performance. More surface area means more air can move through the system, and more heat can disperse from the components to the air. Depending on your case, you can increase the surface area for better cooling. Adding extra fans for increased airflow, or a side panel window to improve convection cooling.
Another area to look into when it comes to increasing surface area is the fan/radiator mount. Many cases come with standard fan/radiator mounts, but there are also specialty mounts for larger radiators or for mounting fans on the side of the case. Having a larger fan/radiator mount will allow for more surface area for cooling, as well as more headroom to improve overall airflow. This can be the difference between an average performing case and a great performing one.
Finally, the number and size of the vents will affect the overall cooling performance. For example, a case with only two 120 mm fans on the front might not be sufficient to keep your components cool, while a case with five 120 mm fans and a couple of 140 mm fans would be more effective. It is important to consider the types of components you will be using, as well as the size of the case when selecting the number of fans and size of the vents.
In conclusion, surface area is a crucial factor for improving the cooling performance of your gaming PC. The size of your case, the number and type of fans, and the position of vents can all affect the air flow and cooling performance. It is important to consider these factors when building your gaming PC, to ensure you have the optimum setup for your particular needs.
Overclocking & Voltage
Overclocking is the process of taking components beyond their efficient limits to increase performance. This can mean increasing the CPU frequency, as well as increasing the voltage. Overclocking your components can potentially increase the performance of your gaming PC, at the cost of increased heat, which may cause damage to the components if not done correctly.
Manually overclocking your components will require a good understanding of how computer hardware works and a comprehensive knowledge of the components being used. You will also need to adjust the voltage of the components in order to achieve the desired frequency. This can be extremely dangerous if done incorrectly, and it is highly recommended you only overclock components with liquid cooling in place to safeguard your system.
Safely overclocking components requires a slow and steady process. You don’t want to push your components too hard, as this can cause serious damage to them. Start by increasing the frequency and voltage slowly, and test your components to ensure they can handle the increased load. If everything looks good, you can then increase the frequency and voltage further.
CPUs and GPUs are the most common components to be overclocked, as they are typically used for gaming. With CPUs, you can increase the frequency and voltage to create more processor throughput. GPUs can also benefit from overclocking, as it can help you achieve higher frame rates in games. Keep in mind that some CPUs and GPUs are better suited for overclocking than others, so make sure to do your research before attempting to overclock.
Overclocking is an involved process and it can be a great way to get more out of your gaming PC. If done correctly, it can increase performance while minimizing damage to the components. It is important to understand the risks involved before attempting to overclock your components, and to proceed with caution if you do decide to overclock.
Monitor & Mouse
Having the right monitor and mouse for your gaming PC is essential for a great gaming experience. Monitors come in all shapes and sizes, and the type of monitor you get will largely depend on your budget and preferences. The most popular gaming monitor sizes are 24” and 27”, with higher-end models featuring resolutions of up to 4K.
High refresh rate monitors are preferred for gaming. These monitors have a faster response time, which ensures smoother animations and reduced ghosting. Higher refresh rates also reduce input lag, which can result in a more enjoyable gaming experience. Look for a monitor with at least a 144 Hz refresh rate for the best gaming performance.
In addition to the monitor, a good gaming mouse is also necessary. There are many different types of gaming mice, from budget models to high-end models with advanced features. A gaming mouse should have a comfortable design, a fast response time, and be accurate
