Building your own gaming PC isn’t as complicated as you may think. In fact, it’s a pretty simple process that even someone who has no hardware experience can do.
All you need to do is pick a good list of compatible parts, plan your build around a well thought out example build (like our monthly gaming PC builds), and then follow a step by step tutorial to install everything.
CPU
The CPU, or central processing unit, is a vital component of any gaming PC. It executes instructions that the rest of the components require, dictating what actions are taken and affecting every aspect of your gaming experience.
The right CPU can make or break a gaming PC. It should be fast enough to run the titles you want, and have multiple cores so that multi-tasking isn’t a problem.
When shopping for a CPU, it’s important to consider your budget and the games you plan on playing. It’s also important to ensure that the CPU and its motherboard are compatible with one another, so that data flow doesn’t become bottlenecked.
After you’ve picked out a CPU and its motherboard, it’s time to assemble the PC. It’s a fairly straightforward process, and you don’t need a lot of tools to get started.
Before you begin, set up your workspace to be comfortable and well-lit. A desk lamp is a great option, as is an anti-static mat.
Taking the time to build your own rig can be rewarding, as you get to choose exactly what you need for your ideal gaming experience. It can also be a good way to save money and keep your system up to date with new technologies and games.
Building a PC isn’t an easy task, but it’s well worth it once you’ve put it together. Buying pre-built PCs is a great option, but building your own is much more flexible and customizable.
Motherboard
A motherboard is the backbone that ties all of your PC components together. Its job is to physically support different components, act as a control center for your CPU and other computer parts, and move voltage throughout your system.
Having a functioning motherboard is vital to your gaming experience, so it’s important to pick one that will work for you. This will require a little bit of research and careful study to make sure your motherboard has the features you’ll need for your specific game play.
First, select a case that’s the right size for your build and is compatible with the form factor of your motherboard. This can be a full-size tower case or a smaller home theater PC (HTPC) that fits beneath your TV.
The case you choose should also have standoffs to keep the motherboard in place. Once you’ve placed the motherboard inside, it’s time to screw it in with the appropriate screws.
This is a crucial step, as it will keep your motherboard in place and allow you to connect all of the case’s cables correctly. You may need to reference your case’s manual to make sure you know how to plug the cables into each socket.
Now that you have all the basic hardware in place, it’s time to get to the fun part – building your computer! It’s a bit of a process, but with a little patience, you can build your very own DIY GAMING PC.
Graphics Card
A graphics card, or GPU, is one of the most important components in any PC. It’s responsible for converting the information from the CPU into visual output, such as a game’s images or video. The computer’s CPU and motherboard play a part in how well the GPU can process the data.
The GPU’s speed and ability to process the CPU’s commands are two key factors in determining how fast it can render images. It’s also important to understand how much VRAM (video RAM) is on the card.
VRAM is a type of memory that stores data about each pixel on a monitor’s screen. It also holds completed images until the time is right to display them.
There are several different types of VRAM, including GDDR SDRAM. Depending on your needs, you may choose the best version of this type of memory for your GPU.
Graphics cards can be connected to a monitor through many different connections, including DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort. The most popular connection for modern graphics cards is DisplayPort.
The GPU can also be connected to other components through expansion slots on the motherboard. These can include other cards, hard drives and memory. Using an expansion slot allows you to add additional components without interfering with your CPU or motherboard. However, you should ensure that there is enough space on the motherboard for the GPU and any other expansion components you want to use.
Hard Drives
A gaming PC needs a lot of space to store all your games, media files, and other data. This means you should buy a hard drive with a large storage capacity.
Depending on your budget, you can go with an SSD (solid state drive) or a HDD. An SSD can be used to boot your operating system and most of your frequently-accessed files, while a HDD can be used for larger files, such as music and movies.
There are many different hard drives available in the market, and you should understand each one before making your decision. A good way to choose the right one for your computer is to look at the size of the games you play, and the amount of space they take up on your hard drive.
Most gamers prefer the 2TB hard disk size as it provides a lot of space for all their games and media files. However, you should be aware that this disk size is not recommended for all types of games as it is not able to hold many high-resolution videos or screen recordings. In this case, you should get a higher-capacity disk size like 3TB or even 4TB. This will help you save space and boost your performance when you are playing your favorite games. These drives are also very affordable and a great addition to your gaming computer.
RAM
Building a DIY gaming pc can be daunting, especially for the first timer. With that said, it’s not hard to build a quality, high performance system. A few key components will set the stage for a streamlined build. With the right parts in the right order, you’ll have a system that not only works well for gaming, but also provides enough power to keep your computer ticking over for years to come.
One of the most important components is the RAM, or Random Access Memory. The best way to go about this is to consult your motherboard’s manual to find out which slots are compatible with your chosen ram. Once you’ve done the research, you can hit the hardware store and score some of the latest and greatest in your price range. After that, the fun begins. We’ve got you covered with a guide to the big three, from your PC’s CPU to your gaming case.
Case
The case is the foundation of your computer, so you want to make sure you pick one that fits your needs and your budget. You’ll also need to consider the location where your new PC will be used, as that can affect the size of the case and whether you should splurge on premium features like tempered glass side panels.
The next step is to install your motherboard and power supply. This is the most important part of putting your PC together. If your motherboard is not seated properly, you won’t be able to get it to work. You can use standoffs to keep the motherboard from touching the metal of the case, or you can refer to your manual for instructions on how to put it in.
After you’ve installed your motherboard and power supply, it’s time to connect any hard drives or SSDs. Your case should have a specific bay area that is dedicated to these kinds of devices. You’ll need to locate this place and look for two metal clasps on the left and right sides of the bay.
You should then plug a SATA and PSU cable into the drive. After that, you can begin connecting your other components. You should now be ready to build your DIY GAMING PC! Just remember to follow the instructions carefully, and you’ll soon have a fully-functioning PC!