How to build a gaming PC?

by | Aug 4, 2020 | How to | 0 comments

Getting started to build your own gaming PC

Any gamer is sure to think about making his gaming PC at least once in his life. If you are thinking of making a PC, it might be a bit scary in the beginning. You need to be very careful while selecting the PC elements. Putting the relevant components in the right place and connectors is another significant task you must carry out. Setting up your PC isn’t a tough job, definitely not a very easy one. The right insertion of the components and applying them in the right note must be your focus.

Creating your own gaming PC not only is interesting but cheaper as well than buying one from the local PC shops or retails. Launching the gaming machine with the right set of parts is indeed a challenging task. Planning to build the PC on their own helps the gamer to create one personalized machine with his desired set of tools, particular features, and preferences.

With the proper planning and a little bit of hard work, it is possible to launch a gaming PC that can enable games to run on it on high definition for many upcoming years. One just needs to go through the right guide and his job is done

You don’t need to worry at all, even if you know nothing regarding where to start. In this article, we will be guiding you through the entire process that makes your job much more comfortable. In this guide, we will focus on the essential components with every step and cover the basic points from a high-end computer rig for professional usage to a conventional personal computer. Then, you can easily own your gaming PC and feel proud of the setup that you did in your own hands.

With this guide on how to develop a gaming PC on your own, we will take you through different sectors.

  • Finding the right set of PC tools for the building project along with the budget, intentions, and various types of games that you will love to play.
  • Giving you a brief analysis of how the work of every tool, their differences, and requirements.
  • Making you completely aware of the components that are required to launch your first gaming PC.

Requirments For Building A Gaming PC 

A gaming PC is the first stop for independent developers to make creative and surprising new games. A custom-built gaming rig is the best way to improve your gaming experience. A home-built gaming PC caters to your gaming tastes and needs and also your budget. Building your PC not just enables you to have complete control over which components you choose, but you also get to peer into the details of what makes a PC run. 

Initially, it may prove to be a daunting process, but once you dive in, it will turn out to be much more comfortable and fun for you. Whether it is upgrading your current rig or starting from scratch with your first build, this comprehensive guide provides you step-by-step instructions. 

1. Tools For Building The PC

  • Workspace

The first and foremost requirement is sufficient space to work on, like a table. It would be best if you always stood on an uncarpeted surface while carrying out this work to avoid damages such as an accidental electrostatic discharge.

  • Screwdrivers

A suitable screwdriver such as a Phillips #2 screwdriver should be kept ready. A screwdriver with a magnetic tip is handy to avoid dropping small screws in places difficult to reach during the process of installation. The magnetic bit of the screwdriver should be kept away from open circuitry within your build and away from all storage drives for extra security. 

 

In addition to the tools mentioned above, one might also need an anti-static wrist strap for avoiding electrical risks. Some optional requirements are cable or twist ties, an additional source of light, and zip ties, perhaps. Sort out these items appropriately so that they do not mix up.

2. Cases For The Gaming PC

A good gaming PC needs a right shroud for flaunting the rig as well. The main factor which helps one decide a case is the final location of the computer. So, in the beginning, determine what the size of the situation should be. The three significant sizes are full-tower cases, mid-tower cases, and mini-tower cases.

A full tower case measuring around 22-24 inches tall, 18-20 inches long and width above 8 inches is a massive one. Also, a full-tower one is the best case if you are planning to load up your rig with lots of options for water cooling, storage, or setups for graphics cards. The most appropriate size is the mid tower case. The dimensions of these cases are 18 x 18 inches. 

Mini-towers or small form factor (SFF) builds are suited for tiny mini-ITX motherboards. They are not roomy enough for a big CPU cooler and often do not support some graphics cards. Their tight quarters often create compatibility issues with some hardware. 

Once you decide the size, and then figure out the budget for your gaming PC case. Though the more expensive cases have premium and convenient features, they do not affect the performance of the PC to a great extent. The mid-tower cases have spacious elbow rooms, a lot of the drive bay, and the case fans. It is always an excellent way option to go for a slightly bigger case to facilitate the smooth performance of the PC.

 

3. The Parts Of A Gaming PC

It is necessary to make sure that the parts you purchase are compatible with one another. You need to find such components for building the PC, which suits your budget, purpose, and the types of games you want to play. It is essential to understand how each PC component works and their significance.

Your Title Goes Here

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Your Title Goes Here

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

The hardware equipment required to build a gaming PC are as follows:

Central Processing Unit (CPU)– 

The processor or the CPU is the brain of the computer. The CPU converts the instructions into actions for the computer to execute them and is responsible for the working of all the other parts. The two most important things to know about a processor are its clock speed and core count. While clock speed determines the quickness of the CPU, the core count tells us how many tasks the CPU can perform at a time. Many high-end processors enable the technology of hyperthreading, which creates an additional virtual core. Therefore, it is necessary to buy a modern CPU, which can help you to start layering on more tasks. 

Motherboard– 

A compatible motherboard connects all the components of the PC and allows communication between the different hardware. Features such as the CPU’s overclocking capabilities, lighting, and connectivity options are the factors affecting the purchase of a motherboard. The RAM and PCle slots become less will the small size of the motherboard. Therefore, you should pick a large motherboard to fit both the present and the future hardware.

Memory (RAM)– 

RAM, or Random Access Memory, also affects the gaming performance a lot. Since it is tied directly to the CPU, it changes its performance as well. The RAM speed does not matter much, but figuring out its quantity is a bit difficult. The system will be better at managing applications and meeting the memory needs of demanding modern games if you have more RAM. In general, an average gaming rig needs 8-16GB of RAM. While purchasing the RAM, you should keep in mind the capacity of the motherboard and processor.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)– 

The GPU is the component that affects gaming performance the most. The GPU allows the computer to do the complex graphics calculations, which makes the PC games look good. GPU is the foremost requirement for a modern gaming experience. Depending on your budget, you can go with something on the lower end of the trending GPUs. Often, the GPU becomes the priciest component that one buys. It will be a good idea not to skimp here if you are looking forward to getting into gaming at higher resolutions and frame rates. 

Storage– 

The storage of a PC includes files, games, operating systems, and any required access data. The two main types of rooms are SSD (Solid State Drive) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Since an SSD has no moving parts, it is relatively faster. They are significantly higher quality and more durable, but they are smaller, and their cost per gigabyte is more. On the other hand, an HDD is substantial but less sustainable. It would be best if you get both for your PC provided that your budget permits so. 

Power Supply Unit (PSU)- 

As the name suggests, the PSU provides the power for the build to function. Before buying the PSU, make sure you have enough wattage for your system. The higher the efficiency of the PSU, the less heat it will exhaust and also consume less power. Since the PSU will handle all current and future components, you should not skimp here.

System cooling– 

Keeping your CPU cool is essential because it creates a lot of heat. Along with becoming more relaxed most CPUs have pure fans and heatsinks to elaborate liquid cooling solutions. A fan-based solution or an All In One (AIO) liquid CPU cooler is the best for your first build. You should always purchase high-quality fans because it improves the airflow and keeps your hardware fresh. It also helps to reduce the noise coming from the PC. 

Case– 

Picking a situation is very simple. You will only have to choose a size compatible with the motherboard size and ensure that it is roomy enough. It should support not only modern features but also have an adequate cooling setup. The rest depends upon the build quality and personal preference.

Monitor– 

The monitor should be purchased scaling to the rest of your build. You can go for a simple, entry-level 1920*1080 monitor or TV. You can also move up to higher resolutions for crystal clear images. Depending on the GPU, you may want to invest in a monitor reducing screen tearing, which will further improve your gameplay experience. 

Gaming Peripherals– 

Peripherals such as a mouse and a keyboard are essential. If you want to play shooters, the mouse will significantly affect gaming performance. If you play strategy games, the keyboard makes a much more significant difference than the mouse. So, purchase a peripheral depending on your comfort and preference.

Operating System– 

Once you install the Operating System (OS) on your storage drive, it allows you to interact with your computer. If your budget permits, go for Microsoft Windows, which is the most popular for the average person owing to its widespread use and straightforward user experience. You can also opt for a Linux distribution. Though you can lose some features, it will not affect your gaming performance much.

How to Build a Gaming PC

After planning about your Gaming PC and purchasing all the necessary components needed for your PC, we are ready to assemble the computer. Initially, people will find it terrifying how to connect all the elements and set the things together such that the pc starts working with the flow. But once everything is ready and the computer starts working correctly, you enjoy using the computer. 

Steps included for Assembling/Building your Gaming PC with all the Components:

  • Install the CPU

The CPU box in freshly plastic covering is ready to process with multiple cables and motherboard. From the two notches on-chip, one pin faces down, and the silver side is facing up. That is how you connect the chip to make the CPU install easily.

  • Install an SSD

Generally, there is an M.2 SSD slot cooler, which is used only when required. The use of SSD is done for other storage purposes and to build better performance of PCs. There are multiple OS options for the M.2 slot, and the larger version used for mass storage. If one is unsure about the best SSD, then you can build the larger one for more storage. 

  • Separate I/O Shield

It’s time to unwrap the newly bought PC case. Firstly, place the case at a comfortable place and open the screws from the back of the case. The back part of the motherboard, generally with the rectangular shape, is covered with a metal input/output shield. To fit the I/O shield’s installation, connect it with the motherboard in a correct manner. Press the I/O shield gently while setup and make sure that you don’t get hurt by the sharp edges. You can surely skip the step if your motherboard affixed with the IO shield.

  • Connecting Cables to the Motherboard

This is the basic setup everyone needs to do when a PC is built for the first time. There is more than one connection available on the motherboard, and each has a specific section to perform the activity. There are USB and audio ports that look alike but function differently so you cannot install a pin in the wrong one. There is also the LED connection with two switches of reset and power button. The cable at the back with white color is for the negative link i.e., for ground and the other colored cord is for positive connection. 

  • Providing Power Supply

Let us start the process by working on the CPU part. Open the side panel of the control processing unit with a screw and install the power supply. According to the type of model, the power supply may differ in a few categories. The case in which the cables are not permanently attached is called entirely modular. If the hardwired power cables in the original motherboard are called partially modular, some models have permanently attached cables with all the mess.

In some cases, the supply of power is already installed, while in others separately, the purchase of power supply is made. The power supply should be allotted in the proper slot so that the fan works without any blockage. The socket is available in the left part at the bottom, and there is an arrow available where to attach the cable.

  • Power Connection of Motherboard and Fans

A superb supply of power needed for components like motherboard, graphic card, fan, and other parts of the case. The connection of wire with fat 24-pin ATX should get used for the space behind the motherboard. Other cable EPS12V goes to the top left of the system, where a small cut is available with the large AIO cooler connection. Ample power supply by the cable obtained to reach the desired location. 

We also have an in-built wired fan available on the first case. A separate Molex Connector is needed to connect fans other than the already available one on the motherboard. By keeping all the cables tidy from the front area will provide better airflow for CPU and Graphic Card.

  • Installing CPU Cooler / Heat Sinker

Installing the cooler in your CPU is the most time-consuming task to do while assembling the parts. Sometimes, the thermal paste is applied to the bottom unit as coolant, but when we install the heat sinker or the cooler in the CPU, we do not have to use the thermal paste. 

For installation, firstly, we need to add a suitable mounting bracket or box to the motherboard. Before fixing the fans in the cooler, check its size and watch if enough space is available on the motherboard. Configuring the coolants in your system will help in positive air pressure and won’t heat your CPU. If you install more than one fan on the radiator, then pass the water block cable away from the routing location. 

  • RAM or Memory installation

Now, we will see installing the RAM component on the motherboard. This is the most natural part, and the slot of the memory allocation can connect without any problem. There are two tabs available on either side of the RAM on the motherboard. 

 

Mostly there are slots of 2 and 4 sticks while sometimes there is a color coordinate on the processing unit. Take a look that you are installing the RAM at the right orientation and firmly press the stick into the slot of memory till you hear a click. Repeat the same process if you want to install additional memory in your motherboard for more storage.

  • Hard drive / SATA port installation

If your SSD is significant at the initial level, then there is no need to install an external hard drive, but if you have lower space, you can install the hard drive. There can be two choices, either take a more economical price hard drive with higher capacity or prefer the same slower SSD without enlarging the port. Keep the face of the SSD towards the back of your platform and allow the power and cables to connect with the motherboard. Install your hard drive and include all small SATA ports with drivers. 

The plug of the driver is located on the board on the right side, which conveniently makes cable management. For the controller of the SATA port, one can refer to the manual information available on the motherboard, which will tell about the chipset on your board.

  • Preparing motherboard Case

Your installation case needs a box full of screws to fix the board and other necessary tools. The motherboard standoffs are often golden and located at the bottom half. The top part includes the holes that you need to fix with screws into the motherboard. There are many holes available in the standoff case, and each of them is of different sizes. There are labels assigned to each hole to avoid problems, which will help you to screw in easily. You can make use of a screwdriver to install the standoff. 

Once you get completed with fixing the holes, the CPU is ready to get locked into its place. Ensure that you fit and tighten the screw correctly such that it stays secure. Also, make sure that an I/O shield that comes covered with the motherboard is visible from outside the case.

  • Insert Graphic Card

The cover plate exists on the left of the CPU socket named PCIe on your motherboard, which needs to be removed. Unscrew all the bolts and now align the graphic card in the PCIe slot and press it. After inserting the graphic card, reinsert all the screws and lock the place. There is a cable with six-pin or eight-pin PEGS to connect the graphic card and plug them. The pins are attached to the connection according to the power needed by the graphic card. 

  • Updating and Troubleshooting 

After joining all the necessary components, make sure that your motherboard, graphic card, hard drive, and other component locations are connected with power supply. Do not close the case; check whether your pc is working the way you wanted after attaching with the Monitor, Keyboard, and other essentials. Make sure that the power button is on in the case, and the system switch turned on. 

Suppose your PC works correctly, then it’s time to connect all the loose ends of your motherboard. Assemble all your cables and see that, so issues are left on the sides. If you get some error, check it out on the browser with the model number and the error message. Check the cable connection or maybe the fan movement or the light signals if you find no word. 

By checking the loose ends, the PC might start working as expected. Once the system is ready, you need to allow the motherboard to update the BIOS and enable the XMP memory with the configuration of the current date/ time. In the end, you need to install an OS, and your PC is all set for the game.

After all the tools are inserted in the right note, the PC is ready to get started with the loaded software in it. If you point out any difficulties while turning it on, make sure to recheck the installation parts promptly. 

Connecting every component in the right manner is vital in this case. If the problem continues to persist even after checking the logical connections, it is recommendable to consult a professional for further proceedings. 

One of the craziest facts about building a PC is that you are never done with it. Besides having a custom-built gaming rig, you will always have that work in progress. In case a second game turns up, you will be easily able to swap the components.

The reasons for the demand for a gaming PC

Nowadays, the gaming PC sector is seeing phenomenal growth. The gaming PC segment has grown a lot over the last two years. More and more consumers are purchasing high-performance gaming PCs. It is because of the increasing interest in professional gaming, and the availability of mid-tier products. As new games from global publishers are entering the market, the demand for growing PCs is multiplying.

The shift from mobile gaming to PC gaming, affordable gaming products at various price points, and faster internet speeds have driven the need for gaming PCs these days. The demand for gaming PCs is also rising because of the proliferation of smartphones and bandwidth availability. The online gaming leagues and E-sport tournaments have also boosted it. The availability of affordable gaming hardware has also triggered the demand for high-end gaming PCs to a great extent. Therefore, it has become a big boon for gamers, which have led to a high-rise demand for gaming PCs.

Things to focus on before building a Gaming PC

Before starting with the project of developing your own PC, there are certain factors to be taken note of. One needs to have a complete understanding of his needs and the budget he can afford.

1: Knowing the budget 

Making the proper budget plan before starting to build the PC is very essential. A good amount of cash is actually required so that one can invest the amount in the project to turn that into a successful gaming machine. It is always desirable to invest in something productive that can help to upgrade the system itself. 

For building your own PC one can start with a fair amount of$700 to $800. You will be getting all the necessary equipment to fit with this budget. Also, building an own PC is also less costly when compared to purchasing one as purchasers add the price of completely built up as well. 

2: Understanding the needs very well

If you are interested in connecting to the low end or high-end system games then the budget of $400 remains fine. The motive of playing older games can also be served with this amount. In case you are willing to focus on modern missions with superb framerates and high-quality graphics cards, the budget $600 will do. 

In case you are planning to transform yourself into a professional gamer or you are already one, installing a high range CPU for the regular steaming and rendering purposes. For this one, $1000 can easily do the job. 

The total process of building that includes a lot of research, right insertion, and placements can be technically tough but once it’s done the gamer gets complete satisfaction. Buying the correct components and installing them properly is the key to get the job done.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to build your own computer?

There can’t be a definite answer to this question. Buying a PC or building it on your own, both have separate pros and cons. The decision depends on the user himself and is mostly taken after considering the urgency, budget, and preferences. In case you are making your own PC, which can be both cheaper and helpful at the same time. It also offers more customization. On the other hand, if you are buying the same, that is more reliable and has a quick process.

How much would it cost to build a PC 2020?

Stating any specific numbers isn’t possible in this case. The price of building a standard PC in India as for 2020 as well keeps on varying. It varies according to the cities and states and vendors. An average number would be around 45k-50k. You might require an additional 8k and about 2k for the monitor, decent keyboards, and mouse. 

Is building your PC worth it?

If you are a professional gamer and love to set up things on your own, then building a gaming Pc is your cup of tea. If you desire something sturdy and upgraded, then producing your Pc is worth it. It also has certain advantages over buying a PC other than being cheaper in most of the cases. You can easily maintain the PC personally and even extend the service life as per your needs.

Is PC gaming dying?

No, gaming PCs aren’t dying. Instead, it has been growing remarkably for the last few years. The entire section of gaming has always been increasing as the number of game enthusiasts keeps on increasing. Mobile gaming has large profits these days, and still, PC gaming continues to create a strong fan base and grow vehemently among enthusiasts.

How much RAM do I need?

Currently, 8GB RAM is the minimum requirement for a gaming PC. With this much RAM, the PC can operate adequately without many issues. Though, there can be specific problems in terms of graphics as it can demand concessions for the titles when compared to the optimal range of 16GB RAM for gaming PCs these days. 

Related Articles

To start up the program, give it permission to run and let it go through certain scans. 

Once it has done scanning, the summary will be available on your browser tab. The results will have details about your operating system, connected devices, hardware components, and login sessions. The Main Circuit Board will have a summary of your motherboard. 

There are certain methods that can be used to find out about these specifications. Well, you cannot actually open your laptop’s physical motherboard and learn about it, therefore these 4 ways mentioned below will help you know about your motherboard better. 

Identify your motherboard through Windows system information

You can learn about your motherboard details through Windows system operation. It is very much adaptive to MSI and Gigabyte motherboards. When you have, a compatible motherboard using this method is easier. Press Windows + R to start up the run function in windows. When the dialog box appears, type “msinfo32” in the open area and press Enter. 

This will show all the Windows System information overviews. Right next to the Baseboard Manufacturer, Baseboard version, and Baseboard product, the motherboard details are mentioned. If it says that the information is not available, then that means your system is not compatible. It usually happens in Dell, Asus, and Razer. Other below-mentioned methods shall help you solve this problem.

One can also learn the motherboard information in detail by going back and checking the documentation which you received at the time of purchase. 

Checking your motherboard with the help of CMD

One can also learn the motherboard information in detail by going back and checking the documentation which you received at the time of purchase.

The motherboard model and serial number can be easily found out in Windows 10 through CMD prompt. You can either type it in the taskbar or press Windows + R and type CMD and hit enter. Command prompt needs to be run as an administrator. Once the Window is opened, then you can click on the Windows Management Interface Command (WMIC) and see all the information about the model, name, manufacturer, and features of your motherboard.

Use CPU-Z to find out about your motherboard

If the command prompt does not work, then one more method which you can use to get an overview on the motherboard specifications is through CPU-Z. This free software is available online and it will give you comprehensive info about your hardware components. 

You can go to the CPU-Z website and download the program for free. Once it is installed, start the program and it will identify all the components right away. 

Click on the mainboard tab and learn about the motherboards model, chipset, manufacturer, and more. 

Use Belarc Advisor

Another third-party application that is totally free to give you an overview of your hardware is Belarc Advisor. Check out the Belarc Advisor website and download the program for free. 

It is a very reliable and trustworthy program because it does not send your data information to any kind of server. Once it completes the analysis, you will find it in your local file browser, the summary gets saved there. 

To start up the program, give it permission to run and let it go through certain scans. 

Once it has done scanning, the summary will be available on your browser tab. The results will have details about your operating system, connected devices, hardware components, and login sessions. The Main Circuit Board will have a summary of your motherboard. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much would it cost to build a PC 2020?

Stating any specific numbers isn’t possible in this case. The price of building a standard PC in India as for 2020 keeps on varying. It varies according to your location and vendors around you. An average number would be around 45k-50k. You might require an additional 8k and about 2k for the monitor, decent keyboards, and mouse. 

Is it cheaper to build your own computer?

There can’t be a definite answer to this question. Buying a PC or building it on your own, both have separate pros and cons. The decision depends on the user himself and is mostly taken after considering the urgency, budget, and preferences. In case you are making your own PC, it can be both cheaper and helpful at the same time. It also offers more customization possibilities. On the other hand, if you are buying the same, it would be more reliable and offer quick processing. 

Is building your PC worth it?

If you are a professional gamer and love to set up things on your own, then building a gaming Pc is your cup of tea. If you desire something sturdy and upgraded, then producing your Pc is worth it. It also has certain advantages over buying a PC other than being cheaper in most of the cases. You can easily maintain the PC personally and even extend the service life as per your needs.

Is PC gaming dying?

No, gaming PCs aren’t dying. Instead, it has been growing remarkably for the last few years. The entire section of gaming has always been increasing as the number of game enthusiasts keeps on increasing. Mobile gaming has large profits these days, and still, PC gaming continues to create a strong fan base and grow vehemently among enthusiasts.

How much RAM do I need?

Currently, 8GB RAM is the minimum requirement for a gaming PC. With this much RAM, the PC can operate adequately without many issues. Though, there can be specific problems in terms of graphics as it can demand concessions for the titles when compared to the optimal range of 16GB RAM for gaming PCs these days. 

Related Articles