Building a gaming PC is an exciting experience, but what do you do after you have completed your build? Whether you’re a first-time pc builder or an experienced veteran, there are a few steps you should take to ensure your build runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
The first thing to do is to make sure all the components are properly connected. Check your build multiple times to make sure that all of the cables are plugged in the right ports, and that the components are seated properly. Once you’ve verified that everything is securely connected and in the right place, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Next, you will want to make sure the components are compatible with each other, and that your setup is up to date. To do this, download and install the latest drivers, BIOS and firmware updates. This is important because the latest updates will help your system run more efficiently, and they may also help prevent potential issues down the line.
Now that your build is properly connected and up to date, the next step is to run some benchmarks to see how your system performs. This will help you determine which components need to be upgraded, or if you’re getting good results from all of your components. Benchmarking is also a good way to determine if your build is running optimally, as it will give you an idea of just how powerful your system actually is.
Finally, the last step to take after building your gaming PC is to make sure the system is optimized for gaming. This means you’ll want to make sure you have the proper settings for gaming, such as maximum GPU and CPU clocks, as well as an optimized game mode. Once your build is properly optimized, you’re ready to start gaming!
Storage
Storage is an important part of any gaming setup, as it stores all of your games, applications, and other forms of media. It’s important to choose the right type of storage depending on your usage. For example, if you’re gaming with a single graphics card, then an SSD might be the best option, as it offers faster loading times. For more intensive games or applications, it might be best to opt for an NVMe drive, as it offers much faster data transfer speeds than a traditional hard drive.
When it comes to capacity, there are a few things to consider. If you’re storing games and applications, then you’ll want to go for at least 500GB of storage space. If you’re storing other forms of media such as photos and videos, you’ll want to get a drive that has at least 1TB of storage. If you plan on doing music production or video editing, then you might want to look into a drive with 2TB or more of storage.
Now that you’ve chosen the right storage device, you’ll also want to install and configure the storage correctly. To do this, you’ll need to format the drive and choose the right file system. For most gaming PCs, the NTFS or exFAT file system should suffice. Once you’ve configured the storage device, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Cooling
An integral part of any gaming setup is the cooling system. This helps keep the components in your system from overheating by circulating air around them. To do this, you’ll need to install a cooling system that is designed for your pc. This could be a liquid cooler or an air cooler, depending on your budget and needs.
When it comes to choosing the right cooler, it’s important to consider the size of your case, as well as your budget. If you’re tight on space, then an air cooler might be the better option as they can often be installed directly into the case. On the other hand, if you have a larger case and a bigger budget, then a liquid cooler can be more effective at cooling down your system.
Once you’ve chosen the right cooler for your system, you’ll need to install it properly. For an air cooler, this usually involves just mounting it onto the CPU using the included mounting hardware. For a liquid cooler, you’ll need to make sure all of the hoses are properly connected and that the pump is securely fastened to the radiator. Once the cooler is installed, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Monitoring
Monitoring your system is an important step when building a gaming pc, as it will give you an idea of how your system is performing. You can keep tabs on your system by monitoring the temperature, voltage and fan speeds. All of this information can be monitored using specialized software, such as MSI Afterburner or Gigabyte’s System Information Viewer.
When it comes to temperature, you should aim to keep the CPU and other components in your system at around 70 degrees Celsius or below. For fan speeds, it’s best to keep that around 75-80% when gaming and a bit lower when idle. And for voltage, you’ll want to keep that at around 1.2-1.4V when gaming and a bit lower when idle. Monitoring these three elements will help ensure that your system is running smoothly and efficiently.
Diagnostics
Finally, the last step to take when building a gaming pc is to run diagnostics tests to check for any potential issues. This can be done using specialized software such as PC Diagnostics, PC Health Monitor, or Prime95. All of these utilities will check your system for things such as RAM compatibility, system stability, etc., which will help you diagnose and promptly fix any potential issues.
These tests should be run regularly, as they will help you ensure your system is running optimally. As an example, if you notice your system is suddenly becoming unstable, then running a system stability test could help you pinpoint the issue and fix it before it becomes a major problem. It’s also important to keep your system up to date, as the latest updates may contain important bug fixes or performance improvements.
Cleaning
Cleaning your system is another important step when it comes to building a PC. Dust can accumulate over time and block the airflow, which can lead to overheating and other issues. To prevent this, you should use compressed air canisters to blow out any dirt and dust from the fans, heat sinks, and other components. This will help keep your system running cool and quiet.
If you’re using a liquid cooler, it’s a good idea to flush the loop and replace the coolant once every few months. This will help to prevent problems such as clogged pipes, bacteria buildup, or build-up of gunk in the coolant. It’s also important to keep an eye on your cables and make sure they aren’t tangled or knotted. This will help keep your build organized and neat, which can also help improve cable management.
Customization
Now that all the technical steps have been taken and your system is up and running, it’s time to customize it to your liking. This includes things such as lighting, painting the case, custom cables, and more. It’s important to keep in mind that the more modifications you make, the more likely you are to run into potential issues. So if you plan on doing extreme modifications, it’s best to consult with an expert beforehand.
If you’re just looking to make a few basic customizations, then you can easily do this on your own. Installing LED lights, for example, is a relatively simple process. All you need to do is mount the lighting strip to your case and then connect it using a SATA power cable or PCIe power cable. You can also get custom cables that give you the ability to choose the colors and the length of the cables.
It’s also important to be mindful of the power draw of your system. If you’re adding a lot of customizations, such as LED lights or cooling fans, then you’ll likely need to upgrade your power supply in order to ensure that you’re not overloading it. Before purchasing any power supply, make sure to do the necessary research and find out how much power is needed for your build.
