Things you should know before building a gaming PC

 We all know that the games and gaming industry is at its peak, and PC gaming is the greatest and most popular among players and people all over the world.  So we are going to discuss the important things that you should know before building a gaming PC.

A PC game is for everyone, whether you choose to play in a multiplayer setting with people from all over the world or prefer to play solo. When you're a better gamer, you want more from every game you play, but that comes with experience. 

{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}

Nowadays, every professional players or gamer want to build their own PC according to their need. Buying the components separately and putting the PC together yourself saves money while also allowing you to customize the PC to your specific gaming requirements. Before we started, we had a lot of questions, such as: what are the greatest PC components? How do PC components work? And, maybe most importantly, how can we build the finest PC for our needs while staying within our budget?

So, don't worry we are here solve all your queries and doubt.

The first thing that we should know is 

What is a Gaming PC?

Sometimes referred to as a gaming PC, a gaming computer is a customized computer made specifically for playing video games. High-performance video cards and high core-count central processor units with raw performance are characteristic features of gaming PCs, which differ from standard desktops and laptops. Overclocking CPUs and GPUs is a popular choice among computer gamers and amateurs. Overclocking either a CPU or a GPU typically need extra cooling, be it through improved air cooling or water cooling.

Advantages of building a gaming PC over buying one?

Building a gaming PC instead of purchasing a prebuilt PC might be a smart alternative. There are other advantages to building a gaming PC as well. A well-built gaming PC system will last longer, have more power, and will be more adaptable and efficient than a regular one.

Building a gaming PC from scratch is the only safe approach to assure your system can fulfill all your own tastes and can likely deliver superior performance from your machine, plan, study, and comparison and test your options if possible.

The most significant aspect of building a gaming PC is that it keeps allowance for all updates, such as changes in technology, changes in gaming preferences, and the purpose of your needs.

Some important advantages of gaming PC are-

~ Building a Gaming PC Saves Money. Here, you can focus on the things you require while ignoring those you do not. The amount you can save is determined by the type of components you purchase.

~Building a gaming PC allows for further customization and upgrades. Custom-designed computers allow you to construct your own computer according to your specifications.

  This also allows you to design a computer that suits your budget while also meeting all of your specifications. Building a gaming PC gives an opportunity to build the computer according to your specification and you are also free to customize it further in terms of graphic card, motherboard, hard disc, video and sound card, SSD, System cooling, power supply unit (PSU), gaming peripherals, etc. 

You can influence how you spend your money by personalizing your computer. For example, if you want to add a large hard drive to your PC but do not require a high-end graphics card, you can build your computer this way by instructing your custom computer builder.

 Building a gaming PC gives you an option for higher quality components- You may think that certain computers based on their logo or brand recognition have high quality but not always at the top of the line are the components of preconstructed machines purchased from the shop. These big-name manufacturers often utilize poor brands for components such as RAM, optical drives, hard discs, power supply, and other components.

They are always seeking the lowest offer to maximize their profit since they go to the cheapest sections. You will know exactly what parts go into your system when you create your machine, which means you can only integrate top-quality components.

Building a gaming PC provides you with better Warranties - Usually, a warranty lasts for a year when you buy a built-in computer from a retail store. Usually, these warranties cover the whole device, which may sound good, but eventually end up being a drawback if something goes wrong. If one part fails or does not work, you have to send the complete device to a repair, which in the meantime leaves you without a computer. On the other hand, if we buy each component individually for a custom-built PC we get a better warranty option on the same components which last for two or more years.   Some of the high-quality components have warranties that last up to four to five years.

Building a gaming PC Removes bloatware

What is bloatware? Wonder, why does your computer work so slowly? It's not even one year old, and nothing harmful has been put on the computer. Well, bloatware is the answer. Bloatware isn't harmful or hazardous to your computer. But, using excessive space on your hard disc tends to slow things down. The manufacturer installs plenty of unneeded software on your computer that you never use and don't require. If you construct your own computer, you won't have to worry about any of this. Because you will be installing the program yourself, you will not include any unnecessary applications that will slow down the efficiency of your computer.

Select your budget and understand your requirements

Begin by making a budget for yourself. The price of components varies considerably according to what you're looking for on your PC, so you will have to consider building a low, medium level, or high-level gaming PC.

A low-level PC comes with a budget of $200-$400 allows you to create a PC that allows you to play some games in small settings but is not enough to build a computer that is appropriate to play high-definition games.

Building a low-level PC will significantly restrict the selection of games and the quality of the games you can play.

If you have a mid-range budget of $400-$600 in spending on your gaming PC setup you may invest in a graphics card or powerful processor that increases your RAM & stronger CPU cooler. That implies that you may play a few current games, but they must be played with reduced graphics.

 If you have a mid-range budget of 600$ to 800$, you want to play contemporary titles and even experience VR gaming. In this price range, greater visual settings of 1080p and higher FPS numbers of roughly 144+ may be achieved.

If you opt to connect to an AMD or Intel CPU, you may even add multi-thread to your PC's feature list. In this way, certain games are improved and the selection of titles your pc can play might be more versatile.

Building a gaming PC on the $800 — $1000 + budget will allow you to build a super-powerful, more than simple gaming PC. When using maxed-out settings up to 1440p, you can buy components that provide powerful performance.

With a $1,000 + expenditure on your PC, you will have the aforesaid performance, as well as the capacity to play HD 4K graphics games. A high-end PC allows you to play VR, use 4K resolution, and stream video games on Twitch TV, all popular gaming community activities.

As a result, it is important to choose your budget when building a gaming PC so that you may understand your needs and design your PC as desired.

Things needed to build A Gaming PC

You will need a limited number of components and tools to build a gaming PC.  First, you want to make sure that all elements are suitable for one another in choosing the parts to build your gaming PC. You have your workspace configured and you know what size case. Now is the time to look at the hardware and components that you need to make your PC come alive. Hardware is your game platform's motor. It accounts for virtually all the available performance– including speed, response rate, frame rates, and several apps running simultaneously.

The selection of the proper components for the construction you need may at first seem an intimidating procedure, but as you dig in, you will discover that it's not only shockingly straightforward, it's a lot of fun. This guide is not meant to be thorough, but more a first on what you need to know in order to collect the proper items and begin to create your dream.

We will focus mostly on creating a gaming PC here, but this manual should cover all the essentials, from a high-end workstation for professional use to a simple media machine.

Items required to assemble your gaming PC

HARDWARE

        

• Processor (CPU)
• Motherboard
• Graphic CARD (GPU)
• Memory (RAM)
• Storage (drivers)
• Case
• CPU Cooler 
• Power supply

SOFTWARE

• Operating system 

PERIPHERALS

• Monitors
• Gaming keyboard
• Gaming headset 
• Gaming mouse 

PROCESSOR(CPU)

The processor, often known as the central processing unit, is the "brain" of any computer. The CPU is regarded as one of the most critical components of a gaming PC. Your computer's CPU (central processing unit) is what makes it run. The CPU is responsible for routing instructions from one system in your computer to another. The faster a CPU can transfer information for both software and hardware tasks, the better. When choosing which CPU to install, keep the gigahertz (GHz) in mind — the greater the GHz, the quicker the processor. This is significant if you are overclocking since the number of GHz you consume will increase. 

The three most important components of a processor to understand are its clock speed, cores, and threads. 

The clock speed of a computer's processor defines how rapidly the central processing unit (CPU) can retrieve and interpret instructions. This allows your computer to execute more tasks more quickly. Clock speeds are measured in gigahertz (GHz). A higher frequency (larger number) indicates better performance in a typical activity like gaming. A clock speed between 3.0 GHz to 4.0 GHz is usually considered a great clock speed for gaming, however, single-thread performance is more important. This signifies that your CPU is capable of comprehending and finishing single tasks. 

The number of cores determines how many tasks a CPU can handle at the same time. The more cores it has, the more tasks it can perform at once. In a perfect world, a 4-core CPU would be able to execute four processes at once, whereas a 6-core CPU would be able to do six things at once. Single-core CPUs couldn't do multitasking work. Instead, for gaming, single-core performance is still more important than multi-core performance. Nonetheless, because most games today will eventually use several CPU cores, the core count should not be ignored.

Threads have become a crucial aspect of the computer because the processor can conduct many tasks simultaneously to speed up the work. And make the computer multi-tasking too. So you need a CPU with many threads if you want to execute different programs which are extremely intense. There are two threads for each CPU core. So a processor with FOUR cores will have EIGHT threads  . to construct a PC to play Six cores are generally believed to be perfect for playing. Some games will run on a 6-core 6-thread CPU rather than a 6-core 12-thread CPU because of low 'actual' thread use compared to fake threads.

MOTHERBOARD

One of the most crucial gaming computer components is the motherboard. A motherboard is the main printed circuit board that connects all of the computer's parts together. It connects all of the computer's key components, such as memory, CPU, power supply, hard drives, optical drives, and other ports and expansions, either directly or via cables. Motherboards have no direct impact on your game performance. What your motherboard type will do is improve the performance of your graphics card and processor. 

 

When it comes to motherboards, the main distinction between low and high-end boards is usually overclocking abilities and quality features.

A K-series processor and a Z-series motherboard are required for Intel CPUs.

All AMD CPUs are overclockable, but you'll need a B- or X-series motherboard to do it. 

The motherboard does not need to be fancy; it simply needs to be reliable, therefore purchasing from a reputed manufacturer is essential. Our top picks include ASUS, ASRock, Gigabyte, and MSI.

Graphic Card(GPU)

The GPU is the most crucial part of building any gaming PC and is generally the most expensive component in any building list.

The Graphic card is used to enhance the quality of an image of your monitor so that you can see every detail of the images or videos. The better and smoother an image can be produced, the more powerful your graphics card. This is absolutely important for gamers. 

Graphics Card is actually the most important component of a gaming PC, simply because you can't run high-end games in an ultra mode without it.

 We've included a dozen graphics card possibilities, realizing that there will be some overlap. However, Nvidia GPUs are currently the most popular on the market. AMD's Radeon GPU series is also a strong competitor. When we use more expensive graphics cards to build a gaming PC, we get a more powerful GPU and more graphics memory, resulting in superior performance.

AMD GPU 

      

 For a low-budget game, AMD offers the Radeon line of GPUs, which are really cheaper and more economical than NIVIDIA, such as the RX 550, 570, and 5600XT, while for a medium-budget game, the RX 5700XT is available. It should be remembered that AMD lacks a high-end GPU with which to compete with NVIDIA. As a result, if you want to construct a powerful gaming rig, your alternatives are limited.

NVIDIA GPU

    

    Nvidia GPUs can be obtained from cheap to premium throughout the budget. The GPUs series GeForce includes the GTX 1030, 1050, 1650, 1660, 1660 Ti GPUs for budget entry levels gamers.

The higher-end GPUs such as GTX 1080 Ti, RTX2060,2070, 2080 are recommended for competing players looking for high fps and superior graphics.

Nvidia recently launched the new Ampere architecture GEFORCE RTX 3080 series, with far superior graphically performance at a lower price than RTX 2080. This is the option for the ultimate players who want super high-quality fps and textures with ray plots and other effects.

RAM

RAM stands for random access memory. It is a volatile short-term storage system that temporarily provides information to your PC. The OS saves it in RAM when you open a program. Then, once the machine is shut, everything in the RAM will be clear. Without enough RAM, if you open too much programming, your computer might slow to crawl. To create a game computer bigger and faster RAM is preferable because the experience of play and loading time is improved.

How much ram is needed for building a gaming PC? 

(4GB , 8GB, 16 GB)  ?

4 GB- It is the absolute minimum amount of RAM, therefore you can only play light and old version Games with this little RAM since games continue to be more complex and need more RAM, 4GB won't be enough.

Building a gaming PC with 8GB of memory these days would be considered a budget.  8GB RAM is considered the baseline for AAA games for gamers, this means you really want to invest in at least 8GB of RAM for your machine that is fairly fast. 8GB is considered a sweet spot because most games currently operate at this size without a problem.

16GB – This amount of RAM would be ideal from a gaming point of view. It is the recommended amount of RAM for gaming today. No matter what game you play, you will almost certainly never run out of RAM, as long as your computer isn't running any memory-intensive programs in the background. If live-streaming is important to you, you'll need at least 16GB of storage. By increasing RAM we enhanced the ability of multiple works like streaming games, replying to chat questions, playing music, and all the other kind of tasks. If you want to be a serious gamer and streamer, 16GB of RAM may be the best option.

STORAGE (drivers)

An SSD and an HDD are the best types of storage to get for a gaming PC. SSDs are much faster than HDDs, making them ideal for the operating system and certain games, whereas HDDs provide inexpensive bulk storage.

SSDs not only improve the responsiveness of your operating system but also reduce video game loading time. I recommend purchasing an SSD, preferably in the 500GB to 1,000GB range, in conjunction with at least 2 TB of HDD storage. The reason I propose combining two hard drives is that you have one quick for fast processing action and one slower drive for long storing operations.

Advantage of SSD over HDD

The SSDs provide additional benefits not linked to gaming directly. Solid-state drives are energizer, quieter, and provide additional storage of your data. Solid-state drives are also longer lasting than hard drives; often SSD-loaded games boot faster than gaming put on a regular hard disc. This boot time will vary from PC to PC and game to game, but it can take less than half the time to boot the game on an SSD compared to Hardrive.

POWER SUPPLY UNIT (PCU)

The most important element of choosing a power supply is ensuring that it provides the energy required by your rig. This is especially important if you're constructing a high-performance PC. It transfers power from an outlet to individual systems in your computer. Choosing the right one can be difficult, but once you've done so, you'll probably never have to think about it again.

To begin, power supplies have two fundamental parameters to consider: wattage and efficiency. The wattage is the maximum amount of power that the supply can provide when pushed to a full load. The efficiency rating indicates how effectively (or efficiently) it converts AC power to DC, or how much power it wastes during that conversion.

So here a question that arises in our mind is,

What will be the right power supply if we built a gaming PC?

Manufacturers usually list the output of their power supply in watts. A higher-wattage power supply can provide greater power. Power supply unit(PSU) range in power output from 200 watts(for normal PC work) to 1800 watts (for ultra-high-end, enthusiast tasks)

But if we are building a gaming PC we have to use a moderate level of PSU we don't need much power supply.

Many current gaming systems with a 6 or 8-core CPU and a mid-range to high-end graphics card should be acceptable with a power supply ranging from 550W to 850W, although 750W is the sweet spot for gamers., even if you plan on overclocking, using a more powerful CPU or GPU, and adding additional hardware.

It is important to select a PSU from a trustworthy manufacturer. Always purchase a power supply from a decent brand, and read customer reviews before purchasing. Avoid low-cost, generic power supplies, which are often unsatisfactory. Look for reputable brands that provide solid warranties and customer service. It's the first line of defense against external power issues, and if it's not a high-quality PSU, it can cause serious damage and even kill your components.

We recommend Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic, ANTEC which are reputable manufacturers of high-quality power supply units (PCU).

CPU Case

The PC case has no direct impact on the performance of your PC, but you will need to install all of your components to keep them safe. Some important factors to consider when selecting a better PC case include the size of your PC case. Full Tower (Large), Mid Tower (Medium), Micro-ATX (Small), Mini-ITX (Smaller), and other common motherboard form-factors are available (Extended ATX, Standard ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX). The most important compatibility issues to keep an eye on are graphic card length, air CPU cooler height, and liquid cooling radiator sizes i.e (Radiator Compatibility 120/140/240/360/420mm) to ensure that all of the other components you choose will fit inside your case.

If you want to build a nice-looking system, you should consider your PC's Case Aesthetics and Customizability, such as whether you want Tempered Glass Panels or not; choosing tempered glass side panel will give stylish look to your PC. so if you try to install in your gaming PC make sure and have to take a look on its shape, size, design, lightning and everything that is purely visible from outside. Another thing to consider is RGB Lighting, which adds a lighting effect and some bling to your PC, adds a favorable ambiance to your gaming and workstation, and customizable 

RGB lighting offers you the freedom to adjust it to your surroundings and mood. 

Cable management and PSU Shrouds also play a vital role while building a gaming PC.

 Cable management is becoming more prevalent. A case with good cable management features makes your build more neat and manageable. Not only will your internals appear beautiful and clean, but they will also improve your installation and modification experience in the future. A case with effective cable management features will have dedicated parts for hiding and routing cables, as well as a detachable back panel of the cabinet. Shrouds for Power Supplies

Loose cables dangling from your power supply have probably irritated everyone who has built their own PC. PSU shrouds in cases assist in hiding loose cables as well as the PSU within a clean enclosure. 

If you need a specific USB Port or Audio port on the front of your PC then you'll go for Front Panel Connectivity this enables an additional port to your custom-built PC.

Last but not least, some of the best brands of PC cases we recommended are CORSAIR, ASUS, NZXT, Cooler Master, Thermaltake.

CPU Cooler-

A CPU cooler is a device that draws heat away from the CPU system and other components. Lowering the CPU temperature improves the system's efficiency and stability. Adding a cooling device, on the other hand, can raise the system's overall noise level.

When it comes to CPU cooling, you basically have two options-

1- Air cooling 

2- Liquid cooling

Air coolers are most common. A metal heat sink draws heat away from the CPU before being blown away by a fan. Consider the CPU socket type, RAM, case size, and current airflow within your computer with air coolers. If you want an air cooler with a lot of airflows and effective cooling, you'll need to put numerous fans in different places around the case (front, back, top, side, etc.) i.e add multiple fans

Liquid coolers are a more extravagant alternative on this list. Liquid flows through the tubes that run around the heated computer component. The liquid continuously absorbs the heat and flows it out of the system. Overclocking and high-performance computing applications benefit from Liquid cooling systems. Liquid cooling is also less affected by the ambient temperature than air cooling.

Which one is best for you?

When properly implemented, both cooling options are highly effective, but the installation of CPU Coolers is highly dependent upon your budget and preferences.

Here are a few factors that should be considered before making your choice-

The cost varies a lot depending on which features you prefer. Air coolers, on the other hand, are generally less expensive than liquid coolers due to their simpler operation. Hence if your budget is low then air coolers are good for you.

If we talk about installation standard air coolers are easier to install than All-in-one (AIO) Liquid coolers. The size of CPU Coolers is also important when you install it in the case, so ensure that you have sufficient space for your cooling solution.

When it comes to the noise produced during cooling, liquid cooling, especially when using an All-in-One (AIO), is generally quieter than a CPU heatsink fan.

Liquid cooling may be the best option if you're serious about overclocking or plan on doing CPU-intensive tasks like playing high-stress games, rendering video, or streaming. Air coolers do a good job of relocating heat away from the CPU, but liquid coolers do a better job of relocating heat outside of the system via the radiator's fans.

 Operating System(OS)

After you've decided on your hardware, you'll need to consider what software or Operating System(OS) you'll need for your gaming PC to address the specific needs.

In this section, we will take a closer look at the main operating systems available for gamers in today's market, with the goal of defining which operating system (OS) is best for your gaming needs.

What is an Operating System? 

All of your computer's essential functions are handled by software. The operating system maintains your computer's hardware and software resources while also offering common functions to computer programs. It serves as a framework for the computer you're using.

Most Popular OS For Gaming

So, which of the OS is the best for playing games or for gaming?

Here, Two major operating systems can be selected.

• WINDOWS
• macOS

Windows

Windows is probably the most popular and most famous operating system for gaming PCs. The extremely easy-to-use interface is one of the reasons for its popularity. Windows can be easily installed, navigated, and picked up quickly even simpler. Everything is designed to find you as fast as you need. It has also enhanced FPS figures so your selected GPU is almost guaranteed to provide top-quality graphics.

Windows 10 is the best software for a gaming PC to date. It's Microsoft Windows' latest version. PC players can integrate games with Xbox LIVE in full with this operating system and support the controller in full.

Windows 10 is great for gaming either way and is far away, the field for the best gaming OS.

Mac OS

Apple's Mac operating system is another extremely popular OS that comes pre-installed on all Apple products. People who are addicted to Apple products are known for sticking up for their brand. Mac operating systems are arguably the most effective, with superior graphics and virus prevention. Mojave, the most recent version of Mac OS, is an upgraded version of OS Catalina. They support a large range of games from many platforms.

However, it lacks the same interactive capabilities as Windows and does not have anywhere like the same quantity of downloaded games. It is also more costly than Windows.

Because Macs do not specifically emphasize gaming, the GPU, graphics cards, and other critical gaming components are not actively considered. If you want a great operating system for everyday use, macOS is ideal. However, it is not suitable for intense gaming.

PERIPHERALS

Monitors

Buying the finest gaming monitor is not easy, and it might be tough if you are unfamiliar with monitor technology.

When looking for a gaming monitor, the most significant factors to consider are:

• Screen size & Resolution
• Response Time
• Refresh Rate
• Panel Types
• Free Sync & G-Sync

Screen Size and Resolution - Screen size is a major factor for gaming purposes. The ideal size for screen games is 24" to 27" inches. Larger displays, on the other hand, are becoming increasingly popular among today's gamers.

The resolution needed for a gaming monitor depends upon the GPU of your PC. 1080p is gamers' common resolution, but as new games are released and PC technology, 1440p, and 4k are expected to be the daily standard. This will have an especially strong impact on the performance of gaming and reduce the number of frames that your PC can control in any game.

Response Time - The time it takes to change color from one to another is known as Response Time, and it is commonly measured in milliseconds. With a shorter response time, you can produce better images and motion. Response time measures might be difficult to grasp since, unlike other gaming specs, you want to aim for a low figure when it comes to response time. The greater the number, the slower the response time.

     So, from the gaming point of view, monitor with the lowest Response Time will be best.

Refresh Rate - The refresh rate of your display refers to how many times it can draw a new image per second. Hertz is the unit of measurement (Hz). Higher the Refresh Rate better will be the graphics and improved gaming experience overall.

If you're building a PC for gaming, 120Hz or 144Hz displays will give you a smoother, tear-free gaming experience with less input lag.

Panel Type - When it comes to gaming monitors, there are a few different panels to choose from, but figuring out which one is best for your gaming style can be difficult. To begin, you must understand the various display technologies available; the three most common in gaming monitors are IPS, TN, and VA. 

IPS (in-plane switching) panels are widely regarded as the finest overall LCD technology in terms of picture quality, color precision, and viewing angles.

 They are suitable for graphic design and other applications such as gameplay, editing, and graphic design, which need accurate and consistent reproduction of color.

Free Sync & G-sync- It is important to compare G-Sync to FreeSync when choosing a gaming monitor. Both technologies increase the performance of the monitor by adjusting the monitor to the graphics card's efficiency.

While the monitor itself can function with the Freesync and G-Sync brands, Freesync works on all AMD graphic cards and a few Nvidia cards whereas, G-Sync is only available on Nvidia's graphic card.

Generally, FreeSync is generally cheaper than G-Sync monitors. it produces smooth, crisp graphics but is not compatible with 4K gaming and also it doesn't require specific hardware to function.

On the other hand, G-sync is typically more expensive than freesync but it offers powerful performance and supports 4K gaming. It also eliminates screen tearing which is better from a gaming point of view. 

Gaming Keyboard

Gaming keyboards greatly enhance your game experience after building a gaming computer.  Gaming keyboards are designed basically for a gaming point of view. The majority of these keys are mechanical, and key swaps require less pushing and result in faster game action. The keys in a gaming keyboard are well-spaced, which is specifically meant to aid in improving and optimizing a user's gaming experience.

 Almost all gaming keyboards include backlighting, ranging from single color to full RGB. The brightness of a single color backlit keyboard can be adjusted, but it isn't much else. Individual key color modification, as well as effects, are available with full, per-key RGB. Gaming Keyboard with full RGB lightning is most popular among gamers.

Gaming Mouse

If you take your gaming seriously, then it certainly pays to be a gaming mouse.

The gaming mouse is designed to be more accurate and precise and crucial in many fast-paced games. 

If you're a hardcore gamer, or even if you're just getting started, you should purchase a gaming mouse since it has the flexibility to alter sensitivity, the possibility for hotkeys on the additional buttons, and accurate movements.