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What parts do you need to build a gaming PC?
There are more than enough prebuilt gaming PCs on the market that as a beginner, you don't "have" to build one yourself. Whether you consider pricing, configuration, or support, prebuilt PCs are great for anyone who values convenience and doesn't have the time or inclination to build a custom PC.
That said, building your own PC is a fantastic experience that also provides you with invaluable knowledge and completely changes the way you look at upgrades. If you're unfamiliar with what parts you need to build a gaming PC, this quick guide should get you started. I'll be covering only the essential components without which your PC will just be dead weight.
Processor (or CPU)
First things first
In most cases, you should begin with the CPU when planning your gaming PC build. The CPU or processor is one of the core components of any PC and even dictates which motherboard, RAM, and CPU cooler you need to buy. You have largely two brands to choose from — Intel and AMD — when buying a CPU. To keep things simple, you can consider the latest generation and one generation older CPUs.
CPU cooler
Every CPU needs a sidekick
Every CPU needs a CPU cooler, even if you're buying one of the best cheap CPUs. To avoid thermal throttling due to excessive heat, you need a CPU cooler to dissipate the heat so that it can be let out of the PC through the exhaust fans. You can use air coolers or liquid coolers, depending on your CPU model as well as your preference. Of course, many CPUs come with coolers in the box, but that's not always the case, and bundled coolers aren't usually great.
Graphics card or GPU
The pièce de résistance
You're building a gaming PC — the GPU will have the most impact on your gaming experience. Unless you're using an APU (with decent onboard graphics), you'll need to buy a discrete GPU to get reasonable gaming performance out of your PC. Again, you have two major manufacturers here — Nvidia and AMD. Intel is still a distant third but produces some great entry-level and budget graphics cards.
Motherboard
Decide your upgrade path
Memory (RAM)
You can't just download it
Jokes apart, RAM is something that can impact your FPS in a lot of scenarios. RAM is responsible for storing data temporarily so your PC doesn't need to go to the storage for the same thing constantly. This speeds up the whole process and helps improve framerates and frame timing. You can choose between DDR$ and DDR5 RAM but think about which RAM to buy as it will affect which type of CPU and motherboard are compatible with it.
Storage
SSD or HDD? (Hint: it's SSD)
You need storage for your gaming library as well as your operating system, media files, and everything else on your PC. With the rapid adoption of faster SSDs, conventional hard drives have all but disappeared from new gaming PCs. You can buy any PCIe 4.0 or PCIe 5.0 SSD from a reputable brand, and a 1TB or 2TB capacity should work without issues. DirectStorage technology in upcoming games will make full use of blazing-fast NVMe SSDs.
Power supply or PSU
Don't skimp out on the PSU
The power supply unit (PSU) is responsible for converting your AC power and supplying the appropriate voltages to each of your PC components. Make sure you buy one of the best PSUs as an ill-equipped unit can have bad consequences for your precious hardware. This is not the area for pinching pennies. There are enough resources online to help you narrow down your PSU choice.
How do I select the right PSU for my PC?
Choosing the right PSU for your PC will save you a lot of wasted time and moneyCase
The one to fit them all
Lastly, you need a case (at least most of us) to house the rest of the components. The best gaming PC cases will ensure you have enough airflow for your components and you're not gathering tons of dust on them. The right case will also allow you to upgrade your PC easily in the future. Plus, a great-looking case can greatly enhance the looks of your build.
Build your dream gaming PC
There are many reasons you should finally build a PC if you have been on the fence till now. Once you know the major components you need to put one together, it won't take you much time to finalize the components. Go on YouTube, share your parts list on Reddit, and play around with PCPartPicker till you have the confidence you need. You'll not be disappointed with the journey as well as the destination.
