How To Build the Ultimate Gaming PC
One of the biggest perks of being a PC gamer is the level of customization and power you can achieve with your gaming machine. Not only can you pick the best parts to turn your PC into a workhorse, but you can also upgrade your PC part by part to keep up with technological advances in the future.
Of course, you can always buy a pre-built gaming PC, but there’s something special about building your own. You’ll feel more attached to your machine, and you’ll get to feel the pride of knowing you got the exact specs you wanted.
Today, we’ll teach you how to build your very own PC. We’ll walk you through it so you know what this undertaking looks like. Whether this is your first PC build or you’re a veteran, this build guide is a necessary resource.
How To Prep for Your PC Build
Here’s a step-by-step process for how to gather all your PC components and prepare to build the ultimate gaming machine:
Grab Your Tools
Before you order all the parts you’ll need, it’s best to make sure you have all the necessary tools so you can get straight to work once everything arrives.
For starters, you’ll need a good workspace. It should be a large table that can hold all your parts and tools. Make sure it’s in a non-carpeted area so you don’t get static discharge and ruin your parts.
You’ll also need a Phillips #2 screwdriver and a Phillips #0 if you’re using an M.2 device. If your screwdrivers are magnetic, that’s even better. That will help you avoid losing any tiny screws.
Finally, you’ll need a flash drive with your operating system (OS) installer downloaded onto it and a couple of cable ties to keep your cable management clean.
Come Up With a Budget
Next, come up with a budget. It’s a good idea to know how much you want to spend before you take on this project. If you don’t, things could get out of hand pretty quickly. With all the high-end parts and cool RGB stuff, a custom PC can get expensive fast.
While you’re still in the planning stage, it’s a good idea to visit a PC builder website like PCPartPicker. It can help you keep track of how much you’re spending and avoid compatibility issues. It’s a great way to plan your build and swap parts to see what you can do.
CPUs and GPUs
Now, it’s time to start picking out your parts. First, you’ll want to pick out your CPU and GPU. These are the true workhorses of your build, so you want to make sure you get the ones you want and assemble everything else around them.
Your CPU is the brain of your computer, and your graphics card handles the real-time rendering of your game. If these parts are high-quality, you’ll have a great PC.
Just make sure your CPU and graphics card are compatible. The main thing here is to make sure you have a decent CPU. If your CPU is too weak or too old, it will actually bottleneck your graphics processing unit. Check their supported PCI Express Revisions to make sure they support the same one.
The three big companies are Intel, AMD, and Nvidia. Intel Core tends to be the best CPU, while Nvidia has the top graphics cards. Just make sure that whatever parts you choose will work well together.
Motherboards and PC Cases
Next, there’s the motherboard and case. Not all motherboards work with all CPUs and GPUs, so select one of the right size and with the right inputs for your processors.
It’s also worth considering what other parts you’ll want to include, namely which hard drive. Some hard drives have different form factors, so choose your motherboard carefully!
It’s also important to choose the right case for your motherboard. Different-sized cases are available, so it’s important to choose the perfect PC cabinet that your motherboard can fit in.
RAM and Hard Drives
Now, let’s switch to memory and storage. Your RAM cards are your computer's short-term memory, and your hard drive is its long-term memory, so both components are very important. You’ll want to get at least 16 gigabytes (GB) of DDR4 or DDR5 RAM, if not more.
You should also get at least 1TB of storage on your hard drive. We recommend the M.2 NVMe SSD for fast data transfer and lots of storage. Also, go with a solid-state drive over an HDD for the fast data transfer that’s crucial for gaming.
Power Supply, Coolers, and More
Of course, your PC will need power to work, so make sure you get a quality power supply unit (PSU) so that your hardware has reliable, clean power. You’ll also want an AIO cooler. You can opt for liquid cooling for a reliable apparatus and a cool look, or you can go with a fan for cheap airflow that will work just fine.
Remember that you’ll also need some thermal paste to glue the cooler to your CPU.
The Fun Stuff
Finally, it’s time for the fun peripherals: mouse, keyboard, and monitor. These tools are how you interface with your computer, so you want them to be high-quality, comfortable, and enjoyable.
Make sure you get a monitor with low latency, preferably under 10ms. If you get a low-quality monitor, you won’t be able to reap the benefits of your powerful PC.
Get a mouse that’s comfortable, preferably wired for the fastest input. You’ll also want a keyboard that looks and feels great. If you can get one that sounds great, too, even better.
How To Build a Gaming PC
Let’s put your gaming PC build together. You’ve got your parts and tools and are at your workstation.
Here’s how to build a DIY PC:
Install Your CPU
Grab your motherboard and central processing unit still in their packages. Unbox your motherboard and put it on your work surface. Find the CPU socket and note the designated arrow. Press down on the lever and pull it to the side to open the CPU socket tray.
Now, carefully remove your CPU from its package. It’s highly susceptible to damage, so avoid touching the pins and the top. Just grab it by the sides. Line up the arrow on the CPU with the arrow on the motherboard and gently place the CPU in the socket.
Once it’s gently seated, you can lower the lever to lock the CPU in place. This may require some force.
Put in Your M.2 SSD
If you opt for an M.2 SSD, now’s a great time to install it. Find the small, horizontal M.2 slot with the screw across from it. Unscrew the screw and slide your SSD into the slot. It will stick out at an angle once it’s seated. Push the SSD down flat and screw it into place.
Add the CPU Cooling Unit
For this step, ensure your motherboard has the correct mounting bracket for your cooling unit. Once that’s done, prepare your cooling unit and grab your thermal paste.
Place a small dot of paste (smaller than a grain of rice) on the middle of the CPU and lock the cooler in the bracket. The pressure will spread the paste, firmly locking in your CPU cooler.
Don’t Forget RAM
Installing RAM is nice and easy. Most motherboards have two RAM slots. Simply grab your RAM cards and click them into place.
If your board has four RAM slots and you’re not using all of them, consult your motherboard user manual to determine which slots to prioritize.
Assemble
Now, it’s time to grab your case and start mounting everything. Start with your power supply. Typically, you’ll want the fan pointing outside the case to pull hot air out. The supply will probably be mounted on the bottom of the back of the case.
Attach the power supply using the screws. If you have a non-modular or semi-modular power supply, run the power cables to where they should go.
Next, grab your motherboard and I/O shield if it’s unattached. Install the shield by snapping it in place in the back of your case. Then, grab your motherboard, align it with the I/O shield, make sure all the cables are in the right places, and screw it in. Finally, connect your power supply to the motherboard.
For the GPU, find the appropriate PCIe x16 slot. Make sure you set up your GPU so that its I/O slots are on the outside of the computer. Then, gently click the GPU into the PCIe slot. Screw it into place, and you’re all set.
Finally, if you still need to install more hard drives, now is the time. Find the stack of drive bays in your case. They’ll either have plastic switches or look like metal brackets. If you’ve got plastic switches, flip the switch, pull out the tray, slide your drive inside, and click the tray back into place.
If you’ve got brackets, slide the drive inside the bracket and screw it into place. Now, connect your drives to the motherboard. You’re all done.
At this point, all your parts should be assembled. Close your case, connect it to your monitor, mouse, and keyboard, hit the power button, and install your OS. We recommend Windows 11.
Meet Your New Gaming Machine
With that, you’ve officially built your PC. But the journey is not over. You still have hundreds of hours of fun ahead of you, and you can upgrade your machine as you go. It’s far more affordable in the long run than buying a new console every few years.
A pro gaming experience requires more than just good Wi-Fi or updated apps. Get out there, pick your parts, and build your own PC. Whether it’s your first time building one or it’s simply your most recent gaming project, you’ll feel immensely proud of yourself and provide hours and hours of future fun.
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