Updated at: 12-05-2023 - By: Leo Hall
Looking to construct your own gaming computer? We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of everything you’ll need to build your own gaming PC, including optional add-ons.

It’s not a good idea to buy a pre-built computer.

To be more precise, if you want to get your money’s worth out of a computer, you should never buy one that has already been assembled. After all, being able to tailor your experience to your liking is a major selling point for PC gaming, and you wouldn’t want to get shortchanged by a shady retailer. Make your own gaming rig because why not?

In this article, we’ll go over some tips to help you put together a gaming rig that won’t break the bank but will still impress your friends.

We’ll walk you through choosing the right parts and accessories by explaining what you’ll need and why.

We have many PC build guides available, covering a wide range of price points. You can rest assured that you will get your money’s worth because they are always current.

Let’s get right down to the manual!

The Primary Components

When we talk about computers’ “primary components,” we’re referring to all the hardware that resides within the machine’s case. Everything from the central processing unit and graphics processing unit to the motherboard and random access memory and hard drives and the power supply is included in this.

How to Build Your Own Gaming PC | Parts & Steps | Avast

The CPU

CPUs, short for “central processing unit,” are the computational “brains” of your personal computer. They take in information, sort it out, and then instruct the rest of the computer on what to do and when.

CPUs are primarily produced by Intel and AMD, the two largest manufacturers. When it comes to gaming CPUs, neither of these tech titans is definitively superior to the other, especially in light of AMD’s resurgence with the Ryzen series.

Which Central Processing Unit Should You Buy? This is what we suggest:

  • Low-end and some mid-range gaming PCs should have an Intel Core i3 or an AMD Ryzen 3 processor.
  • For high-end and mid-range gaming rigs, go with an Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5.

Since the primary function of the CPU in gaming is to feed the GPU all the necessary information, Core i7 and Ryzen 7 processors are really only necessary if you intend to build a PC with multiple powerful GPUs. Bottlenecking occurs when the central processing unit (CPU) is unable to keep up with the rest of the system. This means that some of your GPU’s processing power will be unavailable for other tasks.

A Core i7 or Ryzen 7 processor is a good choice if you need blazing fast performance for anything other than video games.

Some may also insist that a Core i9, Ryzen Threadripper, or even a monster Intel Xeon or AMD EPYC processor is necessary. However, those aren’t designed for gaming and are instead intended for workstations and servers. They are an unnecessary and prohibitively expensive luxury that won’t improve your gaming experience.

In the market for a new gaming processor? Fortunately, we have an article that can assist you. Here is our CPU purchasing guide if you’re interested.

The GPU

The GPU, which stands for “graphics processing unit,” is responsible for rendering all of the visuals in a game. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is the processor alone, while the video memory (VRAM) and other components make up the graphics card.

The integrated graphics chips found in many central processing units (CPUs) and motherboards can handle multimedia, web browsing, and office work without the need for a separate graphics card; however, a graphics card is still recommended for gaming.

Which GPU to Get?

There are currently two GPU manufacturers, Nvidia and AMD (again). In contrast to the CPU market, however, Nvidia has a stranglehold on the high end, while AMD focuses on the low and mid range.

Having said that, we suggest the following:

  • Nvidia GTX 1050 or Radeon RX 560 low-end gaming PC
  • Graphics card: Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB or Radeon RX 580, for a mid-range gaming PC
  • Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti, top-tier gaming PC

The GPUs we listed above are the most cost-effective options. There are, of course, other choices; we suggest you evaluate and contrast them here.

UserBenchmark.com may not be the most trustworthy place to find benchmark results, but it will give you a good idea of how a given GPU stacks up against the competition.

Which Graphics Card To Get?

However, as we have already discussed, a GPU is not the same thing as a graphics card. Although GPUs are produced by Nvidia and AMD, graphics cards are typically manufactured by third parties.

Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI are just a few of the seasoned hardware manufacturers available to you; they all produce Nvidia and AMD graphics cards. On the other hand, there are more specialized shops that carry only EVGA, Zotac, XFX, or Sapphire components.

But where do the differences between brands really lie?

The dimensions, shape, color, and finish of the circuit board can all play a role. But the cooling solutions are the most important thing to remember. These days, graphics cards can be cooled in one of three ways:

  1. The card’s open heatsink and fan(s) allow ambient air to cool the component. Generally speaking, this is the most common and effective cooling method.
  2. Single blower fan with a closed heatsink is a common cooling method seen on reference cards. Since the card’s fan expels hot air to the rear, it fits well in compact cases and doesn’t need any additional cooling from the chassis. However, these cards appeal to the aesthetic preferences of some recipients.
  3. Cooling with water is a bit more complicated than the more common air-based solutions, so it’s reserved for high-end graphics cards. Only overclocked graphics cards, which produce more heat than can be dissipated by air-cooling, require such a solution.

We suggest you use an open system. After all, there’s a good reason why this method is the standard for cooling graphics cards. In fact, blower fan-based or water-cooled cards might not even be available in more localized shops.

Besides those standard features, graphics cards can have a wide variety of optional extras, depending on the maker. Every business has its own proprietary utilities package, but beyond that, there are only cosmetic distinctions.

The video card’s video random-access memory (VRAM) is the final piece of the puzzle. In the past, VRAM was crucial for high-resolution textures, but nowadays, screen resolution is what really matters.

Currently, 4GB cards are more than sufficient for 1080p, though 8GB or the rare 6GB variant should be chosen for 4K gaming or maxing out all settings in 2K.

Amount of data too great to process? You might find our graphics card buying guide useful in making your decision.

The RAM

RAM, short for “random access memory,” is the storage medium of choice for data that must be accessed swiftly on a personal computer, as it is orders of magnitude quicker than any other medium. The RAM module has to be powered in order to store information, so if the power goes out, you lose everything.

RAM today employs cutting-edge DDR4 technology. When considering RAM, its capacity is the most crucial factor.

As a general rule, 8 GB of RAM is the best investment you can make in a gaming PC. For today’s games and 64-bit operating systems, 4GB just isn’t enough, and 16GB is a better long-term investment. Since workstations and servers are the only devices that truly necessitate 32GB of RAM or more, anything more is simply unnecessary.

Another factor to consider is the RAM module’s operating frequency, which typically falls within the DDR4 range of 2133MHz to 3200MHz, though there are some very fast (and expensive) models that go as high as 4600MHz. However, higher-frequency RAM is still more expensive and does not yield appreciable framerate gains.

Check out our RAM buying guide for a rundown of the top options on the market today.

The Motherboard

The motherboard’s sole function is to link the computer’s primary components together. It will not have any effect on your gaming performance, but it will limit the types and quantities of components you can use.

The chipset and socket determine which central processing units (CPUs) can be used with a particular motherboard. All modern Intel and AMD processors are compatible with the LGA1151 and AM4 sockets, so there is no need to worry about compatibility issues there. However, some modern CPUs aren’t designed to work with older motherboards. The specifics of both chipsets are listed on their respective Wikipedia articles.

In addition, the number of RAM and PCIe slots is set by the motherboard’s layout and must be taken into account.

The most common types of motherboards are:

  • Mini ITX Motherboards Only Have One PCI Express Slot And Two RAM Slots
  • Motherboard form factor characterized by four RAM slots and two to three PCIe expansion slots; micro ATX
  • Large ATX motherboards have room for up to six expansion cards (PCIe) and four RAM DIMMs.

Workstations and servers are the ideal users for EATX motherboards because they have room for two CPUs and eight RAM slots.

Most gaming PCs can get by with a Micro ATX motherboard, but those with two graphics processing units (GPUs) or more PCIe expansion cards should go with an ATX board. Mini ITX, on the other hand, is best saved for small cases that prioritize form over function.

There is a wide selection of motherboards available, but we have narrowed it down to the best of the best to make your search easier.

The Storage

Internal storage on a computer can be either a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

Hard disk drives, or HDDs, are currently the most widely used storage medium because of their low cost and large storage capacities. Solid-state drives (SSD) are more expensive to produce but can be up to ten times as fast as hard disk drives (HDD). This means they’ll be more expensive and have less space for data.

As your primary system drive (the drive where Windows and any games will be installed), we advise going with a smaller SSD of less than 500 GB in size. A hard disk drive (HDD) of 1 terabyte (TB) or more is recommended.

The Power Supply

Power supply units (PSUs) do exactly what their name implies: they supply power to the various parts of your computer.

Power supply units (PSUs) have only one defining characteristic: wattage. Most gaming PCs don’t need more than 500-600 watts from their power supplies even if they have multiple graphics cards installed. Power supplies can go as high as 1800 watts.

Although there are a variety of power supply formats, the vast majority of cases and motherboards are designed to accommodate the ATX standard. In addition, it is crucial to only purchase PSUs from reputable brands, as a poor quality PSU can permanently damage your computer. An uninterruptible power supply is also recommended to ensure that data is safe in the event of a power outage.

Secondary Components

When we talk about “secondary components,” we’re referring to a wide range of optional add-ons for your PC that aren’t strictly required for it to work. Among these components are the optical drive, sound card, case-mounted fans, and various expansion cards.

Optical Drive

Optical drives, or disk drives, were once standard equipment for personal computers because CDs and DVDs were the most common data storage devices. There was essentially no choice available because at the time, both solid-state memory and the Internet were far behind where they are now.

An internal or external optical drive can be useful if you have a large collection of CDs, DVDs, or Blu-Ray disks that you want to use with your computer. The only thing you need to remember is whether or not the drive is compatible with Blu-Ray disks in addition to CDs and DVDs. The latter drives are more costly, but they are well worth it if you have a serious need for them.

Sound Card

While these integrated solutions were not exactly dependable in the past, they have improved exponentially and are now present on all modern motherboards.

Since most dedicated sound cards have all the inputs and processing power to handle surround sound, this may be the only circumstance under which you would want to invest in a separate sound card.

There is no need to buy a sound card if you will only be using stereo 2.0/2.1 speakers or headphones. The integrated chip can be easily replaced, so you won’t need a new motherboard if it ever stops working.

Check out our gaming sound card buying guide if you’re interested in purchasing a sound card.

Miscellaneous Expansions Cards

Diverse in form and function, PCI Express (PCIe) expansion cards make up a sizable subset of the card market. Input/output port expansions, Wi-Fi adapters, and internal modems are all examples of this. Like sound cards, these are becoming increasingly obsolete as modern motherboards incorporate increasingly sophisticated onboard circuitry and processing power.

Case Fans

These fans, as the name suggests, are attached to the outside of the case to increase airflow within the case and thereby provide additional cooling.

You don’t have to have them, but you should if you plan on purchasing a powerful graphics card that will produce a lot of heat. Additionally, case fans with LED or RGB lighting can add to your system’s visual appeal.

Here is our handpicked collection of premium case fans.

The Case

After deciding on the various internal components, the next step is to select the housing for everything.

The layouts of computer cases are standardised by motherboards. This results in three distinct categories of common cases:

  • Tower PC with a Mini ITX motherboard form factor
  • Tower PC with a Micro ATX form factor
  • ATX motherboard-compatible mid-tower case

Even though EATX motherboards are better suited for workstations and servers, there are Full Tower cases made specifically for them. However, if you desire an intimidating presence, a Full Tower is available to you.

Think about whether or not the graphics card you want to buy will fit in the case as well as the motherboard. Sometimes, bigger cards are just too big to fit inside a Mini or Micro Tower case. However, if you want something roomy, future-proof, and not prohibitively expensive, a Mid Tower case is your best bet.

How to Build a Kick-Ass Gaming PC for Less Than $1,000 | PCMag

Peripherals

Here we get into the peripherals, or the external components of your gaming PC that are used for input and output, such as the screens, audio equipment, input devices, and output devices.

The Monitor

The monitor is a unique screen that has several advantages over a standard television. In addition to being more manageable in size, their higher resolutions make them more enjoyable to examine closely. There is less motion blur because their response times are faster than those of conventional televisions.

The connectors are another key distinction. Common audio/video inputs on monitors include HDMI and DisplayPort, with additional options including analog audio connectors and USB inputs/outputs. TVs, on the other hand, feature a plethora of different inputs and outputs, such as analog antenna and cable inputs, RCA audio connectors, and SCART video and audio input.

So, here are some things to consider before making your monitor purchase.

Size

As was previously mentioned, screens are never more than 30 inches in size. A “monitor” with a 30-inch or larger diagonal is actually just a TV that’s trying to pass itself off as a monitor. Needless to say, having such a massive screen right in front of you at your desk is neither practical nor healthy.

These days, desktop computers can accommodate monitors anywhere from 21 to 27 inches in size. In most cases, a distance equal to or twice the diagonal of the screen is considered optimal for viewing a computer screen.

Resolution

The resolution of a display specifies the number of pixels it has. More pixels mean a more detailed and crisp picture. Currently available gaming monitors come in the following resolutions:

  • The most common and widely used resolution today is 1080p, and it’s great for displays up to 24 inches in size. If your screen resolution is higher than 1080p, aliasing will occur in-game.
  • 1440p – Quad HD, also known as 2K, is the next step up in image quality for personal computers. It looks great on displays of all sizes and provides a level of detail and sharpness that Full HD cannot match. However, a robust GPU is needed to achieve a framerate of 60 FPS or higher.
  • Ultra High Definition, or 4K, has become increasingly popular on televisions, but computer monitors have lagged behind. This is because only the most powerful personal computers are capable of rendering images at such a high resolution, but those who do get to experience images of unprecedented quality.

Although 1440p is still worthwhile with a good graphics card, we recommend 1080p for the time being. On the other hand, 2160p is only suggested if you’re building a monster gaming PC or planning on upgrading it to that status in the near future.

Refresh Rate

The number of frames that can be displayed on a monitor in one second is directly related to its refresh rate, which is measured in Hertz (Hz). Most displays operate at 60 Hz, but higher refresh rates are available on some gaming monitors (up to 240 Hz in some cases).

You won’t see a difference between a 60Hz and a 240Hz monitor unless your GPU can pump out that many frames per second, and only a handful of games (mostly e-sports titles) can push the average PC to that level.

Overall, the refresh rate does not improve picture quality but can give gamers an edge in competitive settings due to faster response times. But the typical person won’t even notice a change.

Response Time

The amount of time it takes for a pixel to go from black to white or from one shade of gray to another is called its response time, and it is measured in milliseconds (ms). The response time of a modern monitor is typically between 1ms and 4ms, depending on the panel technology used.

Reduced motion blur while the camera is in motion is the only tangible benefit of faster response times. In the same vein as the refresh rate, the only people who will benefit from a latency of 1ms are competitive gamers. You probably won’t see significant motion blur unless the response time is more than 10ms, even if you aren’t one of those people.

For these reasons and more, we think a 4ms monitor is the way to go.

Panel Type

Displays in modern gaming monitors are typically twisted-nematic (TN) or in-plane switching (IPS). Without getting too deep into the weeds, here is the most crucial point to remember:

TN panels’ quick response times come at the expense of color accuracy and viewing angles, however. Meanwhile, in-plane switching (IPS) panels produce more accurate and vibrant colors and much wider viewing angles, but the underlying technology doesn’t support response times lower than 4ms.

The decision comes down to personal taste for either performance or aesthetics. As we’ve already established, an IPS panel is the superior option for casual gamers. In competitive multiplayer games, a TN panel can give you a small but noticeable edge.

Connectors

Most graphics cards have three DisplayPort outputs in addition to a single HDMI output, and monitors accept video and audio input via either HDMI or DisplayPort. There are some that still have DVI and VGA ports, but you should avoid them because they are old standards.

Both HDMI and DisplayPort now support audio and 4K resolution, so the differences between the two are minimal. The refresh rate is where they diverge from one another. Both HDMI 1.4 and 2.0, the most recent versions, allow for 4K at 30 or 60 frames per second. 4K at up to 120 frames per second is supported by DisplayPort 1.4.

You probably won’t need to run a game at 4K and 120 FPS, so pick whichever option is most convenient for you. Both HDMI and DisplayPort support backward compatibility, so there’s no need to worry about upgrading.

Is it all too much to process at once? Don’t worry; we’ve already compiled a comprehensive guide to the best gaming monitors to help you make the right decision.

The Speakers

You can either play the sound through the speakers or use headphones. The acoustics of speakers are more lifelike, and they can reproduce low frequencies more accurately (if the speakers are part of a set that also includes a subwoofer).

It’s important to remember that some monitors feature built-in speakers, though the output power is usually too low to make them useful for gaming. The configuration of the speakers is the most important factor to consider when selecting the best set for your needs.

There are four different speaker setups available:

  • The most common type of speaker system is 2.0 stereo. To give the listener a sense of space, they use two speakers on each side.
  • 2.1 – The only real difference between a 2.0 setup and a 2.1 setup is the addition of a subwoofer. This is a subwoofer, a special speaker designed to produce bass. The ability to produce such robust audio is why 2.1 configurations are so widely used in the gaming community.
  • 5.1 is a surround setup that makes use of five speakers and a subwoofer to give the listener a more immersive experience than is possible with a stereo system alone.
  • With a total of seven speakers and a subwoofer, the 7.1 configuration provides the most advanced surround experience.

A 2.1 setup is the most practical and affordable option, and it is more than capable of producing immersive full-range sound, so we highly recommend it. On the other hand, surround configurations are best suited for larger rooms due to their complicated installation process.

Check out our gaming speaker buying guide if you’re interested in purchasing a 2.0 or 2.1 speaker set.

The Headphones or Headset

It’s important to note that “headphones” and “headset” refer to different devices. While both can be worn on or over the ear, headsets are distinguished by their built-in microphone.

Common categories for these items include headphones aimed at the general public, headphones designed for use in recording studios, and gaming headsets. What then are the primary distinctions between them?

  • The typical consumer in mind when designing mainstream headphones is someone who will not only use them for gaming but also for listening to music and watching movies. To facilitate easier portability, they are typically small and foldable.
  • The sound quality and accuracy of studio headphones are unmatched. They are designed for experts rather than regular people. However, they are quite pricey and may provide a less satisfying experience because they are designed for analyzing audio rather than listening to it.
  • The ideal gaming headset strikes a balance between crisp audio and clear recordings. They cost more than average headphones because of the need for a high-quality microphone.

You should get something from the mainstream when it comes to headphones. Why? Simply put, you won’t find better value in terms of audio quality anywhere else. You should only get a gaming headset if you plan on using the microphone frequently, as it will require some sacrifices in other areas. In that case, the purchase of a separate microphone would be the most economical option.

Here is our guide to purchasing a headset, and here is one for less expensive options. In addition, you should check this one out if wireless headphones are your thing.

The Keyboard

When it comes to keyboards, you have two main options: a standard membrane keyboard or a more sophisticated mechanical keyboard. Depending on the context, the user, the difference between these two can be negligible or monumental.

Membrane keyboards are straightforward, with each key sitting atop a rubber dome that collapses when pressed hard enough to make contact with the keyboard’s circuit board.

On the other hand, mechanical keyboards have many more moving parts. Instead of the key itself making contact with the circuit board like in a membrane keyboard, this type of keyboard uses a switch that is activated when a key is depressed. Additionally, MX Cherry switches are the most widely used, but there are many other options.

As you can see, the force required to press a key and the noise level of the keys can vary greatly between switches. However, a membrane keyboard will consistently have less noise. Mechanical keyboards, on the other hand, offer superior comfort at the expense of a hefty price premium.

Everything comes down to individual taste and financial constraints. Although the value of a mechanical keyboard is questionable and highly subjective, we lean toward recommending a membrane keyboard due to their more approachable pricing and cost-effectiveness.

We do, however, have a helpful guide if you decide to go with a mechanical keyboard.

The Mouse

When shopping for a mouse, it’s important to think about two things: the technology it uses and the number of extra buttons it has.

Most gamers don’t need anything more precise than what optical mice provide, and they’re much cheaper. In addition to being more precise, laser mice can be used on any surface, including glass. However, sometimes they are too precise, picking up unimportant details that cause unnecessary anxiety. Furthermore, their price is significantly higher than that of optical alternatives.

For this reason, an optical mouse is far superior to a laser mouse.

You’re probably already familiar with the mouse’s other three buttons: the left click, the right click, and the scroll wheel. However, gaming mice often have additional buttons that can be assigned to a wide range of functions, both in and out of games. These programmable buttons are especially helpful in multiplayer online battle arenas and massively multiplayer online games because they allow you to perform complex macros with the press of a single button.

The Controller

Many games are developed initially for consoles and then ported to personal computers. As a result, it’s not unusual to come across games that aren’t well optimized for use with a keyboard and mouse. However, even if this is not the case, some games are more fun to play when a controller is used.

This article lists the best PC controllers currently available, including the Sony DualShock 4 and the Microsoft Xbox One Controller, but there are other options as well.

The Microphone

A headset is recommended for online multiplayer games, but a microphone can be used instead. For this reason, unless you intend to stream, a microphone costing more than ten to twenty dollars is not necessary.

Best $500 PC Build for Gaming

A Gaming Computer for Less Than $500
Kind of Part Model Cost (in US Dollars, as of closing time in a Bar)
CPU R5 5600G Ryzen $163
Motherboard Asus Rock B450M Pro4 $79
RAM DDR 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) 3200 MHz TeamGroup T-Force Zeus $47
Storage The 1TB TeamGroup MP33 $63
Case Zalman S3 $60
PSU The Chill Master MWE 450 $33
Cooler No, it already has a CPU
Total $445

Discrete graphics cards are still too expensive to fit into a $500 build, even with the recent price drops we’ve seen in GPUs. For this reason, we advise investing in the highest quality integrated graphics that your budget will allow. That means the processor is an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G. The Ryzen 5 has 6 CPU cores and a boost clock of 4.4 GHz, in addition to AMD Radeon Vega 7 graphics. That APU is packaged with AMD’s Wraith cooler, so there will be cost savings there as well.

We don’t anticipate amazing FPS, but you should be able to play games at 720p and maybe even 1080p with low to medium settings. If you want to upgrade your GPU in the future, you can always save up for it.

The motherboard can be any low-cost B450 or B550 model that has an M.2 slot, but we went with the ASRock B450M Pro4 due to its low price rather than its features. Getting a B550 board will give you better GPU bandwidth and the option to upgrade to a fast PCIe Gen 4 SSD in the future, but that’s way too pricey for this build and not a top priority.

We’re using a TeamGroup 16GB (8×2) kit running at 3200 MHz because the performance of our integrated GPU is directly tied to the speed of the system RAM and we want to get the most out of it. This kit is the most cost-effective option, but any two 8GB DIMMs running at 3200 MHz will do.

The TeamGroup MP33 was selected as our storage drive because of its low price and high speed and capacity. Rated sequential read and write speeds of 1,800 MBps and 1,400 MBps, respectively, are included in the drive’s $63 (at pub time) price tag, making it significantly faster than a SATA drive and extremely powerful for this price point. Although its lack of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) means it isn’t quite as fast as a drive with such memory, our tests showed that it was only slightly slower than more expensive drives. It took 11.42 seconds to load a Final Fantasy XIV level, compared to 11.04 seconds on a WD Blue SN550, which costs over $100 for 1TB. Most importantly, you’ll need 1TB of storage if you intend to install more than a couple of games.

The Zalman S3 is our pick because it looks great, has a tempered glass panel on one side, and costs less than $60 (in local currency). The included three fans (one exhaust and two intake) should be more than enough to keep this rig cool. The Cooler Master MWE 450 is a 450W PSU from a highly regarded manufacturer that is also 80 Bronze certified for superior efficiency and should be capable of handling this build.

Best $1,000 PC Build for Gaming

Affordable Gaming PCs Under $1000
Kind of Part Model Cost (in US Dollars, as of closing time in a Bar)
CPU Intel Core i5-12400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X. $169 – $198
Motherboard Choose between the AMD-compatible ASRock B450M Pro4 and the Intel-compatible Gigabyte H610M S2H. $79 – $89
GPU Opens in new tab or windowAMD RX 6600 XT or 6600 $299 – $399
RAM DDR 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) 3200 MHz TeamGroup T-Force Zeus $47
Storage The 1TB Samsung 970 EVO $114
Case NZXT H510 $79
PSU An Overview of the Corsair CV550 $49
Cooler No, it already has a CPU
Total: $850 – $1000

To play games smoothly at 1080p resolution and often with high settings, you’ll need a PC that costs around $1,000. The AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, which at press time could be had for less than $350, provides excellent mid-range gaming performance, with the reference card averaging 83.7 frames per second at 2K and 115 at 1080p in our benchmarks. Even the more expensive RTX 3060 from Nvidia can’t keep up with this card. The RX 6600, for example, can be had for as little as $299 while still providing very respectable 1080p gaming performance.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is our top pick for the CPU in this build. This 6-core, 12-thread CPU uses only 65W of power but can reach speeds of up to 4.6 GHz. Pairing it with the same B450 motherboard we used in our $500 build, though any AMD B450 or B550 board will do the trick, is what we’re doing. If you buy this, you won’t need to go out and buy a high-end CPU cooler because it already comes with a good air cooler.

The Ryzen 5 5600X is comparable in speed to the Intel Core i5-12400, with the exception that the Ryzen 5 5600X costs about $30 less but necessitates a more expensive motherboard. The Core i5-12400, along with an H610 motherboard, is available for those who favor Intel processors. However, when a Radeon GPU is combined with a Ryzen CPU, performance can be increased by as much as 15 percent thanks to AMD’s Smart Access Memory (SAM) feature.

We are maintaining our budget-friendly configuration’s 16GB of RAM. At this price point, going faster or increasing capacity is unnecessary.

We are upgrading the storage to a 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus drive, which is both faster and more reliable. The 970 EVO Plus has a 1GB DRAM cache and claims read and write transfer rates of 3,300 and 1,700 MBps, respectively, which is a significant improvement over the DRAM-less WD Blue SN550, which only claims speeds of 2,400 and 1,750 MBps.

The NZXT H510 is our focus here. This case comes in three sleek color options: black, black and red, and white, and we’re big fans of all three. In addition to the Type-A port and the earphone jack, the front panel also features a USB-C Gen 2 (10 Gbps) port. It supports up to a 240mm front radiator and has two included case fans.

We’ve upgraded to a 550-watt power supply, and once again we’re going with a Corsair CV550; however, any good 80 Bronze model will do.

How to build a PC: Ultimate gaming PC build guide 2022 - SmartnTechs

Best Mid-Range PC Build For Gaming

The Ideal Mid-Range Gaming Computer System
Kind of Part Model Cost (in US Dollars, as of closing time in a Bar)
CPU Core i5-12400 from Intel $169
Motherboard Asrock H610M S2H Gigabyte $89
GPU NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti (new window) $675 – $799
RAM Patriot Viper Steel 32 GB DDR4 3600 MHz (2 x 16 GB) $104
Storage SK Hynix 2 Terabyte Gold P31 $198
Case P360A Phanteks $89
PSU The MasterWatt 650 from Cooler Master $72
Cooler Not applicable (included).
Total: $1500 – $1700

An upgrade to a system that can handle 1080p gaming at high settings and transition into decent 2K gaming would cost around $1,500, depending on the price of the GPU. The Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti is a fantastic choice for 1080p and 2K gaming as well as ray tracing. The price range now is $675–$799.

The RTX 3070 Ti averaged 104 frames per second at 1080p Ultra and an impressive 82.6 at 2K Ultra on our standard gaming tests. This dropped to a still-impressive 54.5 frames per second at 2K Ultra when ray tracing was activated.

Since we are using an Nvidia GPU and thus cannot take advantage of AMD’s Shared Memory Access, we opted for the Core i5-12400 as our CPU for this build instead of the $1000 build.

There are six performance cores and twelve threads available on the Core i5-12400, but unlike most Alder Lake CPUs, there are no efficiency cores. Since the 12400 is not overclockable and has a maximum boost speed of 4.4 GHz, we are not interested in doing so at this time. Intel processors have built-in coolers, so you won’t have to shell out extra cash for an aftermarket solution.

We’ve decided on a cheap motherboard featuring Intel’s H610 chipset, which is in the middle of the company’s chipset lineup. Despite the lack of PCIe Gen 4 SSD support and the limited number of DIMM slots, the Gigabyte H610M should be adequate for this setup.

With our newfound funds, we upgraded to 32GB of RAM from the trusted Patriot Viper Steel line. We are also switching to the SK hynix Gold P31, a 2TB SSD with excellent performance. The sequential read and write speeds of this M.2 drive are advertised as 3,500 and 3,200 MBps.

We recommend the Phanteks P360A because it has great thermals, a high-quality tempered glass side panel, and two RGB fans built in. The Cooler Master MasterWatt 650 is our system’s power supply. The fully modular design of this 80 Plus Bronze-certified PSU allows you to connect only the cables you actually require.

Best High-End PC Build for Gaming

The Finest Custom-Built Gaming Computer System
Kind of Part Model value (in US dollars, as of closing time in a bar)
CPU Core i5-12600K by Intel $279
Motherboard Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 ASRock $149
GPU Launches a new window or tab. Nvidia RTX 3080. $799 – $969
RAM Patriot Viper Steel 32GB DDR4 (3600) RAM (two 16GB modules). $104
Storage Samsung 980 Pro, two terabyte $269
Case Meshify 2 for Fractal Patterns $178
PSU RM750x Corsair $120
Cooler 240mm Liquid CPU Cooler iCUE H100i PRO XT RGB by Corsair $109
Total: $2000 – $2200

Our high-end gaming PC build, which currently costs $2,000 to $2,200, should offer sufficient performance for playing games at 2K ultra settings with strong frame rates and 4K ultra settings with playable frame rates. The system’s graphics processing unit (GPU) is an RTX 3080 card, which retails for between $799 and $969, and is supported by an Intel Core i5-12600K, one of the best CPUs for gaming.

We were able to get an average of 61 frames per second at 4K resolution and Ultra settings with an RTX 3080 card in our tests. If you lower the resolution to 2K or 1080p, those numbers increase to 96 and 173 frames per second. At 2K resolution and with ray tracing turned on, the average frame rate was 66 fps, placing it third behind the RTX 3080 Ti and RTX 3090 graphics cards.

The Intel Core i5-12600K has 16 available threads, or processes, thanks to its combination of six Performance Cores (P cores) and four Efficiency Cores. The highest frequency it can be overclocked to is its own 4.9 GHz boost frequency. We easily overclocked it to 5 GHz, and our 1080p gaming suite (using an RTX 3090 card) ran at an average of 186 frames per second. Compared to more expensive CPUs like the Core i9-12900K and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, that’s not far behind.

The ASRock Z690M Phantom Gaming 4 is the ideal Z690 motherboard for making the most of our overclockable processor. This Micro ATX board features a 7-phase power architecture, PCIe 4.0 solid-state drive support, and Nahimic audio.

Since we intend to overclock our CPU to more than 5 GHz and there is no cooler included in the box, we are using a 240mm AIO liquid cooler from Corsair called the iCUE H100i PRO XT RGB. Once again, Patriot’s Viper Steel DDR RAM is being used, but this time our 32 GB kit operates at 3600 MHz, not 3200 MHz.

We’re including a Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVMe SSD so you can take advantage of our motherboard’s PCIe 4.0 support. One of the fastest drives available, this SSD boasts read/write speeds of 7,000/5,100 MBps.

We chose the $159 Fractal Design Meshify 2 because it combines excellent thermals, a sleek design, and superior cable management. It has plenty of space for our radiator and comes with three fans that aren’t RGB.

We’re using a fully modular and 80 Gold certified PSU from Corsair, the RM750x, to power all of these high-end components. You could save money by selecting a slightly less expensive unit that

Best Super High-End PC Build for Gaming

Extremely Powerful Gaming Computer System
Kind of Part Model the cost (in American dollars) as of closing time at the local watering hole
CPU APU AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D $448
Motherboard Wireless Router Asus X570 ROG Crosshair VIII Hero $395
GPU Graphics card: Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti (new window) $1089 – $1349
RAM Memory Upgrade: 64GB (2x32GB) of 3600MHz TeamGroup T-Force Xtreem ARGB $299
Storage KC3000 (2TB) by Kingston. $299
Backup Space SK hynix 2 Terabyte Gold P31 $198
Case iCUE 5000T RGB by Corsair $399
PSU This is the Corsair HX1000. $243
Cooler MasterLiquid ML360R RGB by Coolermaster $144
Total: $3500 – $3700

Our top-tier rig can run AAA titles in 4K at ultra settings with no hiccups, and it can also provide smooth ray tracing. Our RTX 3080 Ti graphics processing unit makes this possible. An RTX 3090 card might provide marginally better performance, but at a cost of $1089 , it’s not worth the extra money. We saw an average of 66 frames per second with the RTX 3080 Ti in 4K Ultra, 103 frames per second in 2K Ultra, and 73 frames per second in 2K Ultra with ray tracing enabled in our testing.

Our AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D central processing unit has 96MB of cache memory and performs exceptionally well in our benchmarks. For only $449, this processor is head and shoulders above Intel’s flagship Core i9-12900KS. Our benchmarks with the RTX 3090 graphics card showed an average of 201 frames per second at 1080p and 177 at 2K.

For this system, we settled on an Asus X570 ROG Crosshair VIII Hero Wi-Fi motherboard as the foundation. You should be able to overclock the CPU to its full potential thanks to the board’s 14-phase voltage regulator. It has a 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port and 12 USB ports, 8 of which can operate at 10 Gbps. If your desktop is too far from your router to use the Ethernet port, you can use the built-in Wi-Fi 6 connection instead.

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R ARGB AIO cooler is used to chill the Ryzen 7 5800X3D. The cooler’s 360mm radiator and LED display are eye-catching features.

We’re able to afford 64 GB of RAM, specifically TeamGroup’s T-Force Xtreem 3600 MHz ARGB RAM, because we increased our budget for this build. For the time being, DDR4 memory will have to do as AMD’s platform does not support DDR5.

A 2TB version of Kingston’s blazingly fast KC3000 NVMe SSD is what we’ve settled on as a modest upgrade in storage speed. The KC3000’s Phison PS5018-E18 controller allows for transfer rates of up to 7,000 MB per second, both reading and writing. We’ll be including an additional SK hynix Gold P31 2TB SSD for data because 2TB might not be enough for a gamer with a lot of titles.

The Corsair iCue 5000T is our preferred chassis because of its three impressive RGB fans and ample space for our 360mm radiator. Four USB Type-A ports, one USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack can be found on the front panel. In our tests, it showed very high levels of airflow.

Given the high-end nature of the other parts, it would be unwise to skimp on the power supply; ideally, we’d get one that can accommodate a future graphics card upgrade. The Corsair HX1000 will provide us with a full one thousand watts of power. This is a fully modular, 80 Plus Platinum certified power supply.

Conclusion

And there you have it; everything you need to put together a gaming rig. It may appear daunting to construct your own gaming computer from scratch, and some people hold that view. However, as is true with many other endeavors, the hardest part is often just getting started.

Everything will make sense once you get moving.

Now that you have all the parts, you can watch this video for a tutorial on how to put together the gaming PC.

No need to stress if you don’t enjoy component customization but must adhere to a strict financial plan. We’ve gathered many recent PC configurations and linked to them below.

Budget PC Builds

  • If you’re on a tight budget and all you want is a functional computer, this $300 build is for you. It’s suitable for running today’s games and eSports titles.
  • This entry-level PC build costs less than $400 and is suitable for 1080p gaming. A superb substitute for a game console.
  • This is the best low-cost gaming PC build you can get for under $500. Modern games can be played in 1080p with maximum settings.

Mid-Range PC Builds

  • Our entry-level midrange PC build costs $600. A slight increase in power over the previous version allows for the use of higher graphics settings and the playing of more demanding games.
  • The best budget PC build for a 1440p monitor and virtual reality (VR) is this one at $700.
  • At this price point, 1440p and virtual reality gaming become more accessible. This is also the entry-level build if you need more processing power for resource-intensive tasks like gaming or rendering.
  • This ultimate PC build for $1000 will allow you to play games in 1440p or VR without a hitch.

High-End PC Build

  • PC Build for $1,200 – This is the best starting build if you want to game in 4K or if you need a lot of processing power for rendering or content creation.
  • The $1500 PC Build is a great option for 4K gaming.
  • PC Build for $2000: The best computer you can buy. Everything will run at high frame rates and resolutions for you to enjoy.

https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-pc-builds-gaming

https://www.gamingscan.com/build-a-gaming-pc/