Parts Needed to Build a Gaming PC
The proliferation of computers and the number of PC gamers have significantly increased. The passion for computer games has enabled gamers to customize their PC to meet their precise needs. First, however, an exclusive type of PC is required for gaming. There are different parts needed to build a gaming PC, no matter what’s your budget. Mostly, gamers prefer to build their own PC by purchasing all of the components individually.
Building a gaming PC yourself requires sufficient knowledge about the computer hardware and its different parts. Without this essential hardware guide, you can miss out on certain features necessary for building a custom gaming PC.
A personalized gaming PC gives you control and flexibility over the components, and you can alter them as may be deemed necessary. Moreover, it helps you cut back the costs, and ultimately you can design a gaming setup at a much lower budget. However, you need to understand the intricacies involved in the hardware setup and component compatibility.
Can you build a Gaming PC on your own?
Do you want to build a gaming PC for yourself? You’d be surprised to know that with the abundant presence of YouTube videos and helpful websites, you can build one yourself without going through an existential crisis.
First and foremost, you’ll need to know if your hardware is compatible with each other. This is where most newbie PC builders make their priciest mistakes. The best way to avoid buying incompatible hardware is to use a PC hardware compatibility checker. It is an easy, quick, and free way to check your hardware, just list the core PC components, and the website will figure out if your hardware is compatible or not.
Once you get all your PC components, it’s now time to build the PC. You can take help from copious amounts of YouTube videos, articles, and guides to build your PC. You’d be shocked by how simple and fun the process is, though you will need a few extra things, such as thermal paste and tools, to build it.
All Components Needed to Build a Gaming PC
Following is a list of the main hardware for building a customized and gaming pro computer setup:
- CPU or Processor
- Motherboard
- A Graphic Card
- RAM Memory
- Storage Drives (HDD or SDD)
- A Power Supply (PSU)
- PC Cabinet
- Display Monitor
- Peripherals (Keyboards, Mouse, and Speakers)
Preparing a custom PC for gaming is potentially the best technological decision one can make. Understanding the intricate details of computer assembly and hardware parts will enable you to update custom-built systems later on.
If you are a PC gamer, it’s always better to build your gaming PC yourself instead of buying a pre-built one to ensure you’re getting your money’s worth. The basic hardware components for custom-build gaming systems are:
1. CPU or the Processor
It’s called a central processing unit for a reason; you can think of it as the brain of your pc. All the data that needs to be processed goes through the CPU. It also tells the other components what to do and when to do it. You could go with Intel or AMD CPUs.
Additionally, it computes and simulates all of the commands specified to it by software. For gaming, you should have a minimum of a quad-core processor. Moreover, always check the manufacturer’s website to make sure the CPU is compatible with the base board, whether you use AMD or Intel CPU.
Currently, The latest CPUs from AMD are the 7000 series Ryzen processors. On the other hand, Intel is running with its 13th gen CPU.
2. Motherboard
The Motherboard serves as a central gateway for managing and connecting all PC parts. It consists of connector cables, card slots, and other tiny components like transistors that contribute to the overall functionality of the hardware. This mainboard is checked for:
- Voltage regulation
- Compatibility
- Expansion functionality
The motherboard is the torso that’s keeping them all connected. It takes all the separate pieces of hardware and turns them into a functional set. Always ensure that your motherboard has the right chipset and the right socket because this will determine which CPU you can plug in. It is available in various sizes, but size does not affect the efficiency of a gaming PC.
The latest Intel high-end Z790 motherboards are best for using the 13th gen CPUs at full potential. While o the other hand, X670 motherboards are designed for AMD 7000 series processors.
3. A Graphics Card
Graphics is the most necessary PC component you’ll require to build a gaming PC. It decides at what resolution and FPS you will play the game as it transfers images and displays them on the monitor. The GPU with high computing power provides high-resolution graphics. For example, an RTX 4070 TI graphics card is appropriate for gaming, providing a resolution of 4k.
It’s actually more important than the CPU because it handles all the in-game graphics rendering. More importantly, you need to have a dedicated graphics card for gaming.
4. RAM Memory
The RAM stores information that the PC needs to access quickly. It is used for this because RAM is faster than any currently available storage form, even SSDs. It stores the information that is processed on the CPU but can’t store the data when power is shut down. However, for a gaming system, the RAM should be a minimum of 16GB and should always be even modules, i.e., 2, 4, or 8 modules.
I’d recommend going for at least 32 GB RAM for heavy gaming, which you can later upgrade.
5. Storage Drives (SSD or HDD)
All the data, including files and programs, are stored on it even when the system is off. Depending upon speed, hard storage is of three types:
- The HDD
- The SSD
- The NVMe SSD
The choice comes down to HDDs and SSDs. An HDD is rather inexpensive and has high capacities, while SSDs are much faster but cost more with lower capacities. Whenever you are concerned with making a custom gaming PC, try to use the SSD storage device for efficient working.
6. Cabinet and CPU Cooler
All the above hardware parts are encased in a PC case. These days, PC cases are not only for protecting the components but also offer an amazing look to your environment with RGB lights and outstanding design.
Every component that uses power produces heat in the system. The CPU produces a large amount of heat, and a CPU cooler is fitted in order to overcome it. Normally there are two types of coolers; Air coolers and AIO water coolers. Case fans are also connected to facilitate additional cooling.
7. A Power Supply (PSU)
It transfers power from an outlet to the specific system. It provides the components with power. Power supplies range between 200 -1800 watts, but 500 – 600 will be more than enough for most PCs. Three factors must be considered in selecting the power supply:
- Either modular or non-modular
- Wattage
- Efficiency rate
However, if you want to build a high-end 4K gaming PC, you might need to go for a 650+ watt PSU. Because, the graphics cards consume a massive amount of power from your PC. So you need to make sure there’s no lack of power supply.
8. Display Monitor
The monitor is a display screen with high resolution. Generally, a monitor with 22-24 inches in full-HD resolution is very common for average users. But, if you want a dedicated display for high-end gaming, a 27-34 inch 1400p at 144hz monitor will be the right choice.
And for video editing or color grading purpose, you must require an IPS panel with a good color gamut, such as 75%NTFS, 100% SRGB or DCI-P3 for better colors.
9. Peripherals (keyboards, mouse & speakers)
These are the peripherals of using a computer, including a mouse, headset, keyboard, and speakers. However, you need to know that different types of PC build require different peripherals. For example, a gaming PC would suit the mechanical gaming keywords and a dedicated mouse well.
Conclusion
So, I hope you got all the parts needed to build your gaming PC. You can use all of these components to design a computer system curated to meet all your gaming needs. For simple games, you can skip some of these components. On the other hand, building a system for high-end games will require all of the above components. It will allow you to enjoy games at the lowest budget, giving you more jurisdiction and agility.
