If you’re a gamer like me, you know how frustrating it can be to find a gaming PC that suits your needs and budget. There are so many options out there, but none of them seem to fit the bill. You either end up with a PC that can’t run the games you want, or a PC that costs a fortune and has features you don’t need.
I’ve been there. I spent weeks roaming from one PC shop to another, and one website to another, looking for the best deal. I listened to countless recommendations and suggestions, but none of them were suitable for me. I wanted a gaming PC that could handle the latest games, but also one that was affordable and reliable.
I had to spend a lot of time and money, but I still didn’t have the best gaming experience. Every PC shop guy tried to sell me the most expensive gadgets and PC add-ons, of course the shops are only interested in selling their goods to maximize their revenues. Hardly, they are concerned about the requirements and needs of the users.
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I realized that PC requirements vary depending on the game. Some games require more CPU power, some require more RAM, some require more storage space, and some require more graphics card performance.
Then there is the cost of a good gaming system. Installing the most cutting edge and most expensive peripherals and devices is not the answer. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a gaming PC that will become obsolete in a few years.
There is no such thing as a perfect gaming computer, but you can have a suitable gaming PC with a little research and that too at a reasonable price. That’s what I did. I decided to build my own gaming PC from scratch, using the components that I needed and wanted. I did some online research, read some reviews, watched some videos, and compared some prices.
I learned a lot about PC hardware and gaming performance along the way.
Finally, I was able to assemble the perfect gaming PC for me, with all the necessary and optimal peripherals and devices. I chose a powerful processor, a decent motherboard, a sufficient amount of RAM, a fast SSD, a reliable power supply, a cool case, and a great graphics card. I also added some extras, like a gaming keyboard, a gaming mouse, a gaming headset, and a gaming monitor. I spent less than $1000 on the whole setup, and I’m very happy with the result.
My gaming PC can run any game I want, at high settings and smooth frame rates. It’s also quiet, stable, and easy to upgrade. I have the best gaming experience I ever had, and I don’t regret a single penny I spent. I’m proud of my gaming PC, and I enjoy showing it off to my friends and family.
If you’re thinking about buying or building a gaming PC, here is:
How to Assemble the Perfect Gaming PC for Your Needs
Gaming is a passion for many people, but it can also be a frustrating and expensive hobby if you don’t have the right equipment. Many gamers spend weeks or even months searching for the best gaming PC, only to end up with a system that does not meet their expectations or budget.
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How to Select the LED
The LED (or LCD) monitor is one of the most important parts of your gaming PC, as it is the device that displays the graphics and images of your games. Therefore, you should pay attention to the following factors when choosing a monitor:
- Size: The size of your monitor depends on your personal preference and the space available on your desk. Generally, larger monitors offer a more immersive gaming experience, but they also cost more and consume more power. A good rule of thumb is to choose a monitor that is at least 24 inches in diagonal, but not larger than 32 inches.
- Resolution: The resolution of your monitor refers to the number of pixels that it can display. Higher resolutions offer sharper and clearer images, but they also require more powerful graphics cards and processors to run smoothly. The most common resolutions for gaming monitors are 1080p (Full HD), 1440p (Quad HD), and 2160p (4K). For most gamers, 1080p or 1440p are sufficient, as 4K monitors are very expensive and demanding.
- Refresh Rate: The refresh rate of your monitor refers to the number of times that it updates the image on the screen per second. Higher refresh rates offer smoother and more responsive gameplay, especially for fast-paced games. The standard refresh rate for most monitors is 60 Hz, but some gaming monitors can go up to 144 Hz or even 240 Hz. However, you should also consider the frame rate of your games, which is the number of frames that your graphics card can produce per second. If your frame rate is lower than your refresh rate, you will not notice any difference. Therefore, you should match your refresh rate with your frame rate, or use a feature called adaptive sync, which synchronizes the two rates automatically.
- Panel Type: The panel type of your monitor refers to the technology that it uses to display the colors and contrast of your images. There are three main types of panels: TN (twisted nematic), IPS (in-plane switching), and VA (vertical alignment). Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, as shown in the table below:
Table
Panel Type | Pros | Cons |
TN | Fast response time, low input lag, cheap | Poor viewing angles, low color accuracy, low contrast |
IPS | Wide viewing angles, high color accuracy, high contrast | Slow response time, high input lag, expensive, prone to backlight bleeding |
VA | High contrast, good color accuracy, good viewing angles | Slow response time, high input lag, expensive, prone to ghosting |
Depending on your gaming preferences, you may choose one type over another. For example, if you play competitive games that require fast reactions and accuracy, you may prefer a TN panel. If you play casual games that focus on graphics and immersion, you may prefer an IPS or VA panel.
Which Gaming Processors are the Best
The processor (or CPU) is the brain of your gaming PC, as it is responsible for executing the instructions and calculations of your games and other applications. Therefore, you should choose a processor that can handle the demands of your games, without bottlenecking your graphics card or overheating your system.
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Here are some factors to consider when choosing a processor:
- Cores and Threads: The cores and threads of your processor refer to the number of physical and logical units that it can use to perform tasks simultaneously. More cores and threads mean that your processor can handle more processes at once, which can improve your gaming performance, especially for games that are CPU-intensive or support multi-threading. However, not all games can take advantage of multiple cores and threads, and some games may even perform worse with too many cores and threads. Therefore, you should balance the number of cores and threads with the speed and efficiency of your processor. For most gamers, a quad-core or hexa-core processor with hyper-threading or simultaneous multi-threading is enough, such as the Intel Core i5 or i7 series, or the AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 series.
- Clock Speed: The clock speed of your processor refers to the frequency at which it operates, measured in gigahertz (GHz). Higher clock speeds mean that your processor can perform more calculations per second, which can improve your gaming performance, especially for games that are single-threaded or rely on fast calculations. However, higher clock speeds also mean that your processor consumes more power and generates more heat, which can affect your system stability and lifespan. Therefore, you should balance the clock speed with the cooling and power supply of your system. For most gamers, a processor with a base clock speed of at least 3.0 GHz and a boost clock speed of at least 4.0 GHz is enough, such as the Intel Core i5-10600K or the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X.
- Cache: The cache of your processor refers to the small amount of memory that it uses to store frequently used data and instructions, which can speed up your gaming performance by reducing the latency and bandwidth of accessing the main memory (RAM). Higher cache sizes mean that your processor can store more data and instructions, which can improve your gaming performance, especially for games that have complex or repetitive calculations. However, higher cache sizes also mean that your processor consumes more power and generates more heat, which can affect your system stability and lifespan. Therefore, you should balance the cache size with the cooling and power supply of your system. For most gamers, a processor with a total cache size of at least 12 MB is enough, such as the Intel Core i5-10600K or the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X.
How to Choose the Graphic Card
The graphic card (or GPU) is the heart of your gaming PC, as it is responsible for rendering the graphics and images of your games. Therefore, you should choose a graphic card that can deliver the best possible gaming experience, without exceeding your budget or overheating your system.
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Here are some factors to consider when choosing a graphic card:
- Memory: The memory of your graphic card refers to the amount of dedicated video memory (VRAM) that it uses to store the textures, models, and other graphical data of your games. More memory means that your graphic card can handle more complex and detailed graphics, which can improve your gaming experience, especially for games that have high-resolution textures or support ray tracing. However, more memory also means that your graphic card consumes more power and generates more heat, which can affect your system stability and lifespan. Therefore, you should balance the memory with the cooling and power supply of your system. For most gamers, a graphic card with at least 6 GB of VRAM is enough, such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT.
- Bandwidth: The bandwidth of your graphic card refers to the speed at which it can transfer data between the VRAM and the GPU core, measured in gigabytes per second (GB/s). Higher bandwidth means that your graphic card can process more graphical data per second, which can improve your gaming performance, especially for games that have high-resolution textures or support ray tracing. However, higher bandwidth also means that your graphic card consumes more power and generates more heat, which can affect your system stability and lifespan. Therefore, you should balance the bandwidth with the cooling and power supply of your system. For most gamers, a graphic card with at least 200 GB/s of bandwidth is enough, such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT.
- Cores and Clocks: The cores and clocks of your graphic card refer to the number of processing units and the frequency at which they operate, measured in megahertz (MHz). More cores and higher clocks mean that your graphic card can perform more calculations per second, which can improve your gaming performance, especially for games that have complex or dynamic graphics or support ray tracing. However, more cores and higher clocks also mean that your graphic card consumes more power and generates more heat, which can affect your system stability and lifespan. Therefore, you should balance the cores and clocks with the cooling and power supply of your system. For most gamers, a graphic card with at least 1500 cores and at least 1500 MHz of clock speed is enough, such as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT.
How Much Storage and RAM is Good for a Gaming PC
The storage and RAM of your gaming PC refer to the devices and components that store and access the data and programs of your games and other applications. Therefore, you should choose the storage and RAM that can offer the best possible gaming performance, without compromising your system reliability or capacity. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the storage and RAM:
Storage Type: The storage type of your gaming PC refers to the technology that it uses to store the data and programs of your games and other applications. There are two main types of storage: HDD (hard disk drive) and SSD (solid state drive). Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
As you can see, HDDs offer large storage capacities for lower prices, making them ideal for housing game libraries. However, their mechanical nature results in slower read/write speeds, which can affect your gaming performance, especially for games that have long loading times or frequent asset streaming. SSDs, on the other hand, have much faster access times that reduce loading times and boost overall responsiveness, but they also have lower storage capacities and higher prices, which can limit the number of games you can install on them.
Therefore, the best solution for most gamers is to use a combination of both types of storage: an SSD for your operating system and your most frequently played games, and an HDD for your less frequently played games and other files. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of both types of storage, without sacrificing too much on either performance or capacity.
RAM: The RAM (random access memory) of your gaming PC refers to the amount of temporary memory that it uses to store and access the data and programs of your games and other applications. More RAM means that your PC can handle more processes at once, which can improve your gaming performance, especially for games that are RAM-intensive or support multitasking. However, more RAM also means that your PC consumes more power and generates more heat, which can affect your system stability and lifespan. Therefore, you should balance the RAM with the cooling and power supply of your system.
The amount of RAM that you need for your gaming PC depends on the games that you play and the settings that you use. Generally, most modern games require at least 8 GB of RAM to run smoothly, but some games may benefit from 16 GB or more of RAM, especially if you use high-resolution textures or run multiple applications in the background. However, having more RAM than you need will not necessarily improve your gaming performance, as your PC will only use as much RAM as it needs. Therefore, you should check the minimum and recommended system requirements of the games that you play, and choose the amount of RAM that matches your gaming needs and preferences.
For most gamers, 16 GB of RAM is enough to run most games at high settings, without compromising on performance or stability. However, if you play very demanding games or use very high settings, you may want to upgrade to 32 GB of RAM or more, to ensure a smooth and consistent gaming experience. Alternatively, if you play less demanding games or use lower settings, you may be able to get by with 8 GB of RAM or less, to save some money and power.
How to Choose the Keyboard, Mouse, and Headset for Your Gaming Setup
The keyboard, mouse, and headset are the peripherals that you use to interact with your gaming PC, as they are the devices that allow you to input commands and receive feedback from your games. Therefore, you should choose the keyboard, mouse, and headset that can offer the best possible gaming experience, without compromising your comfort or convenience.
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Here are some factors to consider when choosing the keyboard, mouse, and headset:
- Keyboard: The keyboard of your gaming PC refers to the device that you use to type and press keys to control your games and other applications. There are two main types of keyboards: membrane and mechanical. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, as shown in the table below:
Keyboard Type | Pros | Cons |
Membrane | Quiet, cheap, durable | Mushy, unresponsive, low feedback |
Mechanical | Tactile, responsive, high feedback | Loud, expensive, less durable |
As you can see, membrane keyboards use rubber domes to register key presses, which make them quieter and cheaper, but also less responsive and satisfying. Mechanical keyboards use individual switches to register key presses, which make them more tactile and responsive, but also louder and pricier.
Depending on your gaming preferences, you may choose one type over another. For example, if you play games that require fast and accurate keystrokes, such as FPS or MOBA games, you may prefer a mechanical keyboard. If you play games that do not require much precision or feedback, such as RPG or casual games, you may prefer a membrane keyboard.
In addition to the keyboard type, you should also pay attention to the following features when choosing a keyboard:
- Layout: The layout of your keyboard refers to the arrangement and size of the keys on your keyboard. There are different layouts for different regions and languages, such as QWERTY, AZERTY, or DVORAK. You should choose the layout that matches your language and preference, and that is compatible with your games and applications.
- Size: The size of your keyboard refers to the number and type of keys on your keyboard. There are different sizes for different purposes, such as full-size, tenkeyless, or compact. You should choose the size that suits your gaming needs and desk space, and that does not compromise your ergonomics or functionality.
- Backlight: The backlight of your keyboard refers to the illumination of the keys on your keyboard. Some keyboards have backlighting that can enhance your gaming experience, especially in low-light conditions, by making the keys more visible and attractive. You can choose between different colors and effects for your backlighting, such as static, breathing, or rainbow. However, you should also consider the power consumption and durability of your backlighting, as well as the potential distraction or annoyance that it may cause.
- Mouse: The mouse of your gaming PC refers to the device that you use to move and click to control your games and other applications. There are two main types of mice: optical and laser. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, as shown in the table below:
Mouse Type | Pros | Cons |
Optical | Accurate, consistent, low power | Sensitive to surface, low DPI |
Laser | Versatile, high DPI, smooth | Inaccurate, inconsistent, high power |
As you can see, optical mice use LED lights to track the movement of the mouse on the surface, which make them accurate and consistent, but also sensitive to the surface quality and texture. Laser mice use laser beams to track the movement of the mouse on the surface, which make them versatile and smooth, but also inaccurate and inconsistent.
Depending on your gaming preferences, you may choose one type over another. For example, if you play games that require precise and reliable mouse movements, such as FPS or RTS games, you may prefer an optical mouse. If you play games that do not require much accuracy or consistency, such as RPG or casual games, you may prefer a laser mouse.
In addition to the mouse type, you should also pay attention to the following features when choosing a mouse:
- DPI: The DPI (dots per inch) of your mouse refers to the sensitivity of your mouse, or how fast it moves on the screen. Higher DPI means that your mouse moves faster and covers more distance, which can improve your gaming performance, especially for games that require fast and large mouse movements, such as FPS or racing games. However, higher DPI also means that your mouse is more prone to jitter and error, which can affect your gaming accuracy and stability. Therefore, you should balance the DPI with your gaming needs and preferences, and adjust it according to the game and situation. For most gamers, a mouse with a DPI range of 800 to 3200 is enough, but some gamers may prefer higher or lower DPI settings.
- Shape: The shape of your mouse refers to the design and ergonomics of your mouse, or how comfortable and natural it feels in your hand. There are different shapes for different hand sizes and grips, such as palm, claw, or fingertip. You should choose the shape that matches your hand size and grip style, and that does not cause any fatigue or strain on your hand or wrist. You can also choose between symmetrical or asymmetrical shapes, depending on whether you are right-handed or left-handed, or whether you prefer a more balanced or contoured mouse.
- Buttons: The buttons of your mouse refer to the number and type of buttons on your mouse, or how many and what functions you can perform with your mouse. More buttons mean that you can have more options and shortcuts for your gaming commands, which can improve your gaming performance, especially for games that require complex or frequent inputs, such as MMO or MOBA games. However, more buttons also mean that your mouse is more complicated and cluttered, which can affect your gaming simplicity and comfort. Therefore, you should balance the buttons with your gaming needs and preferences, and customize them according to the game and situation. For most gamers, a mouse with at least three buttons (left, right, and middle) is enough, but some gamers may prefer more or fewer buttons.
- Headset: The headset of your gaming PC refers to the device that you use to listen and speak to your games and other applications. There are two main types of headsets: wired and wireless. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, as shown in the table below:
Headset Type | Pros | Cons |
Wired | High quality, low latency, reliable | Tangled, restricted, inconvenient |
Wireless | Untangled, free, convenient | Low quality, high latency, unreliable |
As you can see, wired headsets use cables to connect to your PC or other devices, which make them high quality and low latency, but also tangled and restricted. Wireless headsets use Bluetooth or other wireless technologies to connect to your PC or other devices, which make them untangled and free, but also low quality and high latency.
Depending on your gaming preferences, you may choose one type over another. For example, if you play games that require high-quality sound and low-latency communication, such as FPS or competitive games, you may prefer a wired headset. If you play games that do not require much sound quality or latency, such as RPG or casual games, you may prefer a wireless headset.
In addition to the headset type, you should also pay attention to the following features when choosing a headset:
- Sound Quality: The sound quality of your headset refers to the clarity and richness of the sound that you hear from your games and other applications. Higher sound quality means that you can hear more details and nuances of your games, which can improve your gaming experience, especially for games that have immersive or realistic sound effects, such as horror or simulation games. However, higher sound quality also means that your headset consumes more power and generates more heat, which can affect your system stability and lifespan. Therefore, you should balance the sound quality with the cooling and power supply of your system. For most gamers, a headset with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and a sensitivity of at least 100 dB is enough, but some gamers may prefer higher or lower sound quality settings.
- Noise Cancellation: The noise cancellation of your headset refers to the ability of your headset to block or reduce the external noise that you hear from your surroundings. Higher noise cancellation means that you can hear less distractions and interferences from your games, which can improve your gaming concentration and immersion, especially for games that require focus or attention, such as puzzle or stealth games.
Building a gaming PC can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, but it can also be a daunting and expensive task, if you don’t know what you are doing. That’s why I hope that this blog post has helped you understand the basics of choosing the optimal components and peripherals for your gaming setup, without compromising your budget or performance.
Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect gaming PC, as different gamers have different needs and preferences, and the gaming industry is constantly evolving and improving. Therefore, you should always do your own research and testing, and keep yourself updated with the latest trends and technologies, before making any purchase or upgrade.
However, with the tips and advice that I have shared with you in this blog post, you should be able to assemble a gaming PC that suits your needs and delivers the best possible gaming experience, for now and for the future.
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