Building a PC can be daunting. Where to start? How much money should you spend? Are different parts better for certain builds? The list of questions is endless, but knowing where to start is half the battle. My #1 tip? Have a designated purpose for its construction. If you go with a goal in mind, you can speed up your purchases and buy only what is necessary. In this article, I’ll help you to get your gaming PC ready for this year’s major game releases. (I definitely have my eye on Dynasty Warriors 9.)
Still, advances in hardware like Nvidia’s 10-series GPUs now make it a great time to build your own PC. It’s a double-edged sword, but investing in quality hardware will make your PC last infinitely longer. If you take shortcuts and your PC isn’t up to the task, you’ll run into crashes and lag times, which no one wants to deal with in the middle of a virtual war zone.
In the past, building a high-end PC meant better frame rates or better texture quality; but building a high-end machine today opens up more possibilities than ever before! A high-end PC allows you to do things like play virtual reality, use 4k resolution, and stream video games on Twitch TV, all popular activities within the gaming community. Here’s how to make sure your PC can handle these new technologies:
The Starting Point: Choosing The Right Processor
When you get into the thick of building your own gaming rig, it’s easy to fall down the rabbit hole of options. Ultimately, investing in the right processor is what ties your entire build together. A CPU is like a drill sergeant of your computer; executes the instructions of a computer program.
This is the perfect time to be in the market for a processor; AMD and Intel offer a wide range of processors, and the competitive market simply means more choices at all price points for the consumer. Intel has a history of making some of the most capable processors on the market, like its Intel Core i7-8700K, and AMD recently launched its new Ryzen platform, which offers high-performance processors at a budget price. Both processors work well for gaming, so you can’t go wrong with either option.
Base Plate Or Bust
When building your own gaming PC, choosing a motherboard is a crucial decision. It houses the most important parts of your PC, like the graphics card, the processor, and all the other components your computer needs to run. If your motherboard dies, your PC is down until it is repaired or replaced. When you’re building a PC designed to support your gaming habits, the reliability of your motherboard matters. Gamers are pushing the limits when it comes to a PC’s capabilities, so you’ll need a motherboard that stands up to the test.
Before you buy, consider the need for a motherboard that supports tout the hardware you plan to incorporate into your build: PCIe slots for video cards, SATA ports for drives, memory slots suitable for the amount of memory you want, USB ports for peripherals, etc. The good news is that you won’t need to break the bank when choosing a motherboard. There are good options at all price points; it all depends on what you have in mind for your build.
The ASUS Maximus IX formula will give you the most bang for your buck but be prepared for sticker shock as it will set you back almost $400. One consideration to keep in mind with this particular motherboard is that the armor prevents access to certain ports and connectors. If you’re not looking to spend your salary in one fell swoop, the ASRock Fatal1ty B250M Performance motherboard is a more reasonably priced alternative. However, with this option, your upgrade potential is limited by the card’s mATX size and the chipset’s 12-lane PCIe 3.0 I/O potential.
DRAM Is Not “One Size Fits All”
In my opinion, you can’t really do anything without solid memory performance. It’s what gives your PC the speed it needs to win. Memory features should be unique to your personal gaming needs. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a budding esports pro, there are a variety of memory modules available to increase your speed. Think of it like preparing a meal in the kitchen: a home cook doesn’t need professional cookware to meet his needs de Ella, while a chef preparing Michelin-starred dishes will definitely need professional-grade equipment.
It is also essential to choose a DRAM that suits your style of play, aesthetics, and needs. While standard PC DRAM is the most affordable option, it’s not designed for gaming and won’t cut it. At Ballistix, we offer high-performance DRAMs designed specifically for gaming, for example, but there are plenty of options.
The Heart Of Your Build: A Solid Graphics Card
Without a graphics card, your gaming rig is essentially lifeless. Choosing a good graphics card will be one of the most important components of your build and future expansion of the PC is imperative to consider. If you are a gamer who plans to have multiple graphics cards in the future, make sure you have a case, motherboard, and power supply that support multiple graphics cards in the future.
Nvidia and AMD provide powerful graphics card options that power today’s most demanding games (like Call of Duty: WW2). Before you buy a graphics card, read online reviews first and listen to advise from other gamers about what worked and what didn’t. — for them, paying special attention to the performance of the different card options. This will help you avoid confusion and ensure that you buy a graphics card that can run the type of games you want to play. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti is a great graphics card solution if you’re on a budget.
Old Faithful: Why Invest In An SSD
Whether vacation photos slow you down or an older system is having trouble booting due to an outdated hard drive, investing in an SSD solves dozens of computing problems. This is the most important upgrade you can invest in to keep your system running at full speed. This makes an SSD an essential item for any gamer looking to build their own rig.
To build the best gaming PC, you need to choose an SSD that reduces load times. Don’t know where to start? Crucial System Scanner examines your individual PC and suggests compatible solutions for your machine.
The Golden Rule: Choose A Quality Power Supply
When choosing a power supply unit (PSU), remember the golden rule: quality comes first! You don’t want to cut corners when buying your PSU, because that’s what drives all the hardware in your build. Choosing to settle for the prepackaged option that comes with your case can do more harm than good. Yes, pre-packaged options are usually cheaper but have been known to burn through the more expensive components you bought for your build, like the motherboard. The benefits of choosing a higher quality, more expensive power supply far outweigh the extra cost, so pick one with a decent warranty and you’re good to go.
Last But Not Least, Choose A Case That Matches Your Unique Build
It sounds simple enough, but you need to make sure that the case you choose matches the components you bought. For example, if you’re buying a mini-ITX case intended for a media center, it may not fit a high-end video card or large power supply. Worse yet, you may not have the correct screw holes for your motherboard. It’s easy to overlook these details when purchasing equipment from different vendors and websites, but ultimately the case you select must match the components you’ve chosen for your build or you’ll be right back where you started.
Plus, your case is a huge part of your gaming identity – customization may not be necessary, but if you’re building your own team, why not let it reflect who you are? Some things to keep in mind: If you like to play at a friend’s house, look for a case with handles; and if you’re storing massive 4K games, look for a case with an expansive hard drive bay. When it comes to aesthetics, some cases are flashier than others (think windows and lights), but it all comes down to personal preference.
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