How to build a gaming PC 💻🎮
Are you buying your first gaming PC? 🚀 Here are some tips for building a good gaming PC.
🔍💻 In this guide, you'll learn how to diagnose and resolve common questions when building your first gaming PC. Follow the steps and check the results after each change. If you're thinking about getting your first gaming PC, you probably have a lot of questions: Should you buy a pre-configured PC or build one piece by piece? 🤔 Which processor should you choose? What's the most important component for better gaming performance? In this buying guide, we'll give you a series of tips to help you build your first PC. gaming and get it right, achieving the best possible relationship between performance and price. 💡
📌 Before you begin:
• 💾 Back up your data if you're going to reuse drives.
• ⚡ Turn off and disconnect the equipment and the power supply before handling components.
• 🖐️ Discharge static electricity (ESD) by touching a metal surface or wearing an anti-static wrist strap.
• 🛡️ Check the warranty conditions for each component.
It is possible that the consoles PCs may be the most popular gaming platform, but as you know, there are many advantages to playing on PC. We're not just talking about their versatility (since we can use them for a multitude of things besides gaming), but also because of the "exclusive" PC games that aren't on consoles, such as League of Legends or the new one Valorant, as well as an extensive catalogue of strategy games and MOBAs. 🕹️
So, let's see what factors you should take into account when choosing your first PC. gaming and get it right without spending extra money. 💸
How to Build a Gaming PC – Should You Buy a PC in Parts or a Pre-Built One? 🎮💻
The easiest option when buying a gaming PC is to go to any physical store and purchase one that's already pre-built. This means we don't have to put it together ourselves. However, these machines often prioritize marketing and exterior design, leaving the internal components in the background, which can lead to unpleasant surprises. 😕
To make an informed decision, quickly evaluate the following (DIY):
1️⃣ 🔍 Power supply: check the label (actual power, 80 PLUS certification, PCIe connectors).
2️⃣ 💡 Cooling: Check that it includes a capable heatsink and adequate airflow in the case.
3️⃣ 🛠️ Memory: Confirm dual channel and speed compatible with the platform.
4️⃣ 📊 Storage: Prefer SSD as your system drive; avoid HDD as your only drive.
5️⃣ ✅ Warranty: Make sure the warranty is directly with the manufacturer and that you can extend/upgrade it without losing it.
If you're looking to spend just the right amount and control quality, a piece-by-piece PC lets you choose each component and balance budget and performance. 🧩
🖥️ Build your own custom PC
The advantages of assembling a PC in parts are that You choose each componentIf you are worried about the assembly, you can rely on step-by-step guides and manuals (consult your resources) website and manufacturers). 🛠️ If you prefer to have it assembled by you, check the assembly and warranty conditions offered by the chosen shop, and keep receipts and a parts list for future updates. 🔧
💡 Quick assembly tip:
1️⃣ Present the motherboard outside the case and test RAM/CPU/SSD and initial POST.
2️⃣ Install the motherboard in the case and manage cables behind it for better airflow.
3️⃣ 🧪 Check temperatures and stability after the first start.
You may pay a little more 💸, but a balanced choice and careful assembly often result in a better experience and less noise/temperature. 💯
🎮 The most important elements of a gaming PC
We are not talking about just any PC, but one specially designed for games. Therefore, we must carefully consider the importance of the pieces of hardware that we are going to assemble. Sometimes, it may be necessary to save a little on some components in order to invest in other ones of better quality. ⚙️
In a gaming PC, the most crucial elements are, in this case, order: graphic card, processor, RAM memory and storage. 💻
He processor is the brain of the team and is essential for all types of games. On the other hand, the graphic card determines the quality and resolution of the games we want to play. 🖥️
In addition, the amount and speed of the RAM influences the performance of the games, and of course, having a fast storage It is vital to speed up the loading of games. 🚀
He processor can be Intel or AMD. Don't miss our post about Intel and AMD CPU Equivalents: The 2022 Guide. Typically, processors AMD They are cheaper and offer a better quality/price ratio. 🛠️
As for the graph, it can be AMD or NVIDIA. The graphics cards AMD's processors usually offer a better price/performance ratio. However, currently, AMD's processors offer a better price/performance ratio. NVIDIA They stand out for their pure performance. 🎮
For the RAM memory, 8GB will be enough for most cases. But if you want to play big and your budget allows it, don't hesitate to opt for 16GB of RAM. 🚀
Regarding the storage, there is no doubt: buy a SSDIt doesn't matter if you're on a tight budget and you're happy with a SSD SATA 3, as they are now very cheap and offer incredible performance compared to a classic mechanical hard drive. 💾
💻 How to build a gaming PC – How to know if a component is good or not? 🤔
Now you have more or less clear what you want according to your budget, but at this point, how do you know if a component is good or not? Both graphics and processors may have confusing names. You may not be clear whether a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 is better than an AMD Radeon RX 560, for example. 🖥️
For this reason, we recommend that you take a few minutes to look at our post. NVIDIA vs AMD Graphics Card Comparison 2022 📊, where you will find reviews of graphics cards and processors that fit your budget. This way you can make an informed decision and choose the best for your PC Gamer. 🎮
🎮 In addition to this, to understand if a component of hardware will work fine on the games you want to play, you can always search reference points in the reviews. In general, when a review of a graphics card is done, it is always tested in games, and there you will be able to see the FPS that is capable of generating. 🚀
🤔 In addition to this, talking in terms of good or bad is not really accurate. Nowadays, it is difficult to find a product or poor quality PC component. It is more accurate to speak of performances. Usually, price is an easy segmentation to understand what yields more and what yields less; it is not 100% reliable, but it is indicative. 💡
🔍 Similarly, the selection process requires information that we must look for to understand whether it is really worth it or not. 📈
🎮 Other components to consider for an ideal gaming PC 🎮
Before choosing a hardware specific, it is essential that you ask yourself what your objectives are. Wanting a gaming PC for your child to play Fortnite is not the same as looking for a machine to enjoy the latest triple A games on 4K resolution. 🎯 This directly affects the budget you will need. 💰
For example, if your goal is to play Fortnite in 1080p, you'll probably want a PC gaming 500 to 700 euros will be enough for you. 💻✨ However, if you want to experience The Witcher 3 in 4K with everything to the max, you will have to invest at least three times as much. 🚀
For this reason, the first advice is that before continuing, you have your goals well defined. goals and your budget 💡💸. It is important that you know that you will not be able to play at 4K resolution and with everything at maximum if you have a PC gaming from 500 euros 🎮💻.
Do you want a pre-built PC but not OEM? 🤔
You may not want to go through the hassle of buying your PC in parts, and prefer to have it assembled directly in the store. You may also be wary of OEM PCs sold by some manufacturers, as sometimes their components are not of the quality and performance that one would expect. 🛑
If this is your case, consider online stores with a catalog of pre-built parts. Check that they indicate exactly what components are included (motherboard, VRM, PSU, dual-channel RAM, SSD) and the warranty and return conditions. 💻✨
Larger stores also assemble their PCs by componentsThey give them a name, sell them with a warranty, and also include coverage for the assembly. This is a practical option if you don't want an OEM PC and prefer transparent specifications. 🛒🔧
How to Choose a Gaming PC Final Tips🎮
Bigger is not always better: You don't need a huge tower to have a system with high-quality components. range. Buy a large tower only if you like the look of it and want plenty of room for future builds. updates. 🖥️
I got a SSD if possible: This will make your computer much faster than using a traditional HDD, and it has no moving parts. Look for at least a 256GB boot SSD and consider a second SSD or a good hard drive for storage depending on your needs. 🚀
You can't go wrong with Intel or AMD: Whenever you choose a chip In terms of current generation, both companies offer comparable overall performance. Intel CPUs tend to perform slightly better when running games at lower resolutions (1080p and below), while Intel processors Ryzen AMD's processors tend to handle tasks like video editing better, thanks to their extra cores and threads. 🧠
Don't buy more RAM than you need: 8GB is fine in a pinch, but 16GB is ideal for most users. Serious game streamers and those working with high-end media creation will need the most storage. range With large files you will want more, but you will have to pay a lot for options that go up to 64 or even 128GB. 💾
Don't buy a gaming equipment with multiple cards unless necessary: If you're a serious gamer, get a system with the best single graphics card you can afford. Many games don't perform significantly better with two or more cards in Crossfire or SLI, and some actually perform worse. Because of these complications, a single powerful GPU is often better for a stable experience. 🎮🖌️
The power source is important: Does the PSU provide enough power to cover the hardware inside? (In most cases, the answer is yes, but there are some exceptions, particularly if you plan to overclock a CPU.) Also, note whether the PSU will offer enough power for future updates of GPUs and other components. ⚡
Cabinet size and expansion options vary dramatically between our selections. 🔧
Ports matter: Beyond the connections needed to hook up your monitor(s), you'll want plenty of USB ports for connecting other peripherals and external storage. Front-facing ports are especially useful for flash drives, card readers, and other frequently used devices. For added future-proofing, look for a system with both USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB-C ports. 🔌
🆘 If the process becomes complicated (e.g., boards not POSTing, bent pins, burning smell, sparking, thermal instability), or if you don't have the proper tools (thermal paste, magnetic screwdrivers, ESD wrist strap), seek out a trusted technical support service to avoid damage and voiding the warranty. ℹ️ Keep your manuals and verify compatibility (BIOS/firmware) before updating. 📎