If you’re seeking to build a gaming PC this new year, then you’re in the right place. You may be asking how much does it cost to build a PC, and the answer is it all depends.
Building a gaming computer is a rewarding experience in itself, and if you’re on a budget, then you can create a decently powerful PC with a small budget.
In this simple guide, we’ll jump into the fundamentals and some of the step by steps on what to look for first when building a computer.
1. Processor – CPU
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is one of the essential components to building your first PC. The CPU is responsible for processing the entire system, from programs, applications, and other necessary software that your computer runs.
Be it if you’re playing a gaming session, working on Photoshop, reading essential emails, or watching your favorite movies on Netflix, your CPU is doing the work for you in terms of giving out and receiving instructions for processing.
So, in short, the CPU is the brain of the entire system. CPUs are built by tiny micros coping transistors, which fit perfectly onto a small chip.
In the past decade, the goal of tech companies has been to create smaller and more microscopic transistors, which results in better performance and improvements in processing speed.
Purchasing a CPU will cost a bit; however, there are budget-friendly CPUs and won’t hurt your wallet as much.
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| Name | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|
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1. Intel Core i9-12900K |
3.2GHz, 8 Cores, 24 Threads, Unlocked |
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2. Intel Core i7-10700KF |
3.8GHz, 8 Cores, 16 Threads, Unlocked |
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3. Intel Core i5-11400F |
2.6GHz, 6 Cores, 12 Threads, Unlocked |
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4. AMD Ryzen 3 3200G |
3.6GHz, 4 Cores, 12 Threads, Unlocked |
2. Motherboard
The motherboard (MOBO) will be the next crucial board you’ll need to invest in; without a MOBO, you won’t have a computer.
Additionally, the motherboard connects all the other hardware and serves as a foundation for communicating data throughout all of your PC’s hardware components. Also, the Mobo serves as a data and power distributor throughout your PC’s hardware.
So depending on the type of CPU you have, the motherboard and the CPU will need to be compatible with each other, or else it won’t work.
If you buy an Intel CPU, then buy an Intel motherboard. Or, if you have an AMD CPU, then go with an AMD motherboard that supports that specific CPU.
Motherboards are pretty cheap, so you won’t have any issues in blowing all of your money.
| Name | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|
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1. ASUS ROG Strix X570-E Gaming |
AM4 Socket, AMD X570, ATX |
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2. ASUS ROG Strix Z590-E Gaming |
LGA1200 Socket, Z590, ATX |
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3. ASUS TUF Gaming B550-PLUS |
AM4 Socket, B550, ATX |
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4. Gigabyte TRX40 AORUS Master |
AM4 Socket, TRX40, ATX |
3. Graphics Card
The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is responsible for processing and rendering the graphics; when you’re watching videos, playing an intense game of Battlefield, or working on a heavy graphical program, you can be sure that the GPU is doing the work.
In the past years, GPUs have been increasingly improved bit by bit, and developers and programmers have been able to unlock different types of potentials that GPUs possess.
Graphic cards such as AMD and Nvidia will be your ideal choices because they’ll provide you with one of the best performances and features when looking for a GPU.
Also, GPUs will be one of the most expensive components when building out your PC. So if you’re a hardcore gamer and need to reap the GPU’s power, then you’ll most likely be investing a lot in the GPU department; however, if you’re on a tight budget, there are cheaper options when selecting a graphics card.
Down below is a list of different types of GPUs that you can check out.
| Name | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Nvidia Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
1,410 MHz, 8GB GDDR6, 19 GT/s, 3 Fans |
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2. Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti |
1,410 MHz, 8GB GDDR6, 14 GT/s, Two Fans |
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3. AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT |
1,825 MHz, 16 GB GDDR6, 16 GT/s, 3 Fans |
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4. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 |
1,395 MHz, 24GB GDDR6X, 19.5 GT/s, 3 Fans |
4. Memory, SSD, and HDD
When building a computer, you’ll need a solid memory component to deliver you rapid fast performance in opening an application, software, loading different types of applications, and much more.
The DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) accesses data using its short-term memory. The more memory your computer has, the faster and the better it’ll load different programs, software, and applications.
You can choose from 8GB of RAM up to 64GB of RAM, which is pretty high up there.
Having 8GB is suitable for most daily tasks and to perform other multimedia. If you’re a serious gamer having around 16GB to 32GB is pretty much the ideal. 64GB of RAM is pretty much going overboard; with that much RAM, you’ll have all the speed you’ll need.
Below are a few memories that you can choose from.
| Name | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB |
2x 8GB, DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz |
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2. G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series 16GB |
2x 8GB, DDR4, 3200MHz |
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3. Kingston HyperX Predator |
2x 8GB, DDR4, 2666MHz |
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4. XPG Spectrix D80 Liquid-Cooled RGB |
2x 8GB, DDR4, 3200MHz |