PC Gaming has become the real deal these days as it allows you to have the top of the line gaming experience without any compromise. A Gaming PC allows you to have the stunning graphics which you can’t get in the consoles. In this guide, we will share everything you need to know to start PC Gaming. Without any further ado, let’s get started.
Hardware
For a good gaming experience, you need to buy a good gaming hardware to make your experience more enjoyable. There are a ton of hardware configurations available in the market which you can buy or you can build a totally custom gaming PC for yourself. In this section, we will share the information about the different components of a Gaming PC.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A CPU is a very important part of your PC. It basically runs all calculations/processes information that your PC throws at it. This means that the CPU is responsible for your computer's overall speed. There are different types of CPU'S available in the market which you can pick according to your need. There are two major players in the market: Intel and AMD. Intel’s processors are more powerful as compared to the AMD’s processors, and they also have more compatible components. Intel’s 8th generation processors are very powerful and if you want to make the computer future proof then we would recommend you to go for Intel’s 8th generation processors (For example: The i5-8600k, i7-8700) There are also different configurations available: i3, i5, i7, and i9. There are more variables, but that is not necessary to mention, as were building a gaming PC. Core i3 processors are basic level processors but if you're on a tight budget, you could use it for proper gaming. Core i5 is good for normal tasks and while I do not recommend buying it if you multitask a lot, it is outstanding for gaming. Core i7 is ideal for gaming and it can handle almost everything you throw at it. The i7 is also known for its superb multitasking, and is a favorable choice for photo shoppers/video editors. Core i9 is kind of overkill, if you want the most powerful processor then core i9 is for you.
These processors also have different speeds depending on their model and voltage, but we would recommend you to pick a processor with 3.0 GHz or higher. Please do keep in mind that you should not only rank a CPU based on just the GHz. As cores also have a big part into play. We always recommended going with 4 cores. But since gaming is evolving a lot more. It is safer to go with 6. You got all kind of CPU's with a wide variety of cores. Server CPU's usually go up to 30+ or more. But the more cores a CPU has, the slower the GHz base will be. So that's why 4 is the least and 8 is the max you should take for gaming. AMD recently struck back at intel with their new chip set: RYZEN. Ryzen focuses on both gaming and multitasking. Basically the i7, but dare i say that Ryzen is pretty close now than before. Ryzen also focuses on more cores, so, if you're planning to do streaming games and editing etc. Ryzen could also be a pretty solid choice. In the end, it is up to you though.
Graphics Card
Graphics card is the most important part of the gaming PC as it handles your visual tasks. Again there is competition between Nvidia and AMD but Nvidia is the major player here. Nvidia Cards are little expensive as compared to the AMD, but they have better compatibility. There are also various options available in the market, GTX 1050, GTX 1060, GTX 1070, GTX 1080 and their Ti versions. Those are just one of many examples we could make. There are tons of different cards, each suited for a certain budget. The ones we just mentioned are very favorable with the community right now though, but don't let it stop you from searching some more. Now Nvidia has also announced their latest and greatest RTX lineup which is also very good. However, in our opinion GTX lineup still offers great performance, and they are also very affordable. If you want good gaming performance then we would recommend you to pick GTX 1060 or higher. If you are on a tight budget then GTX 1050 Ti is also a good option for average gaming performance. While we prefer Nvidia, it can't be denied that AMD has some pretty good budget cards as well. They also focus on budget gaming cards, but still managed to add as much power for its money. Goods examples of AMD's cards are: ATI Radeon rx570/rx580, and the higher budget RX VEGA56 Be sure to check them out, and then decide on your pick.
Motherboard
Motherboard is another very important part of a gaming PC and all the other components will directly attach to the Motherboard. If you are building your own custom PC then make sure to select a Motherboard which is compatible with your other components and should have ample slots, just in case if you add more components to your PC in the future. Also, do not forget that your CPU socket needs to fit your motherboard. There are multiple sorts, so we suggest picking your CPU first, then decide on your motherboard.
Memory (RAM)
Having a good amount of RAM is very critical for your gaming performance. It allows your computer to use the data quickly so if your computer has more RAM it will translate to better overall performance. A normal gaming PC have the 8 GB of RAM these days, but we would recommend you to get the at least 16 GB of RAM as most games these days demand more RAM so it is good to have the more RAM for better gaming performance. Moreover, when picking your RAM make sure to have a good look at : the DDR type, and the MHz. We recommend going for at least DDR 4. As 3 is getting outdated. As for the MHz, it differs and budget plays a big role. I would personally recommend going for at least 1866 MHz, it is decent and if you want, you could go further than that if the budget allows you to. Please do keep in mind, that you cannot mix different memory cards together if they are : Different in voltage, Different in DDR, and also brands. While different brands MIGHT work together, a lot of people get errors, are saying it is not a success and should be cared for.
Hard Drive
Many people ignore the importance of having a good hard drive but in reality, having a good Hard Drive results in better performance. There are two standards available in the market: Hard Drive and Solid state Hard Drives (SSD's). If you have good budget then we would recommend you to go for 512 GB SSD as it is more than enough for an average user. Do keep in mind that the average game nowadays, is at least 50 GB. So if you're planning on buying a lot of new games, you should consider buying multiple SSDs. If that is indeed the case, i would go for a small SSD for your windows ( could be 128gb) And then buy a separate SSD for your game storage. However, if you are on a tight budget then we would recommend you to pick at least 128 GB SSD and 512 GB or higher HDD. This combination is very common in gaming laptops and you can use it to get the best possible gaming experience. Use the SSD for storing your Windows and games and use the HDD for storing other multimedia.
In Addition to size, also make sure to consider the RPM for your Hard Drive and faster RPM results in better performance. A Hard Drive with 7200 RPM is considered well these days. On the other hand, SSDs are comparatively much faster than HDD and also last longer, but they are expensive.
Monitor
If you want to enjoy your gaming then make sure to spend your money on a Good Gaming Monitor. There are tons of options available in the market and their price also varies depending on the specifications but there are certain specs that your monitor should have to become a good gaming monitor. Make sure to pick a monitor with 1080p, 1440p or higher. Also, make sure to pick a color accurate gaming monitor as it will show true to life colors which will enhance your gaming experience. If you want the best possible experience then go for 144 Hz or higher monitor as high refresh rate will give you an edge in the game and also improves the gaming experience. There are also a lot of different inches when it comes to monitors. And there are monitors that are more suited towards a brand. Like for example : GSYNC monitors work hand in hand with Nvidia cards, while Free sync supports AMD cards better. The inches of a monitor is kinda your preference. It would only become a factor when you're going for over the top. Do take a look at the HZ and MS though. Ms time means the smaller the number, the faster the monitor picks up the signal from your computer, meaning it will be smoother. While HZ means how much your monitor can handle. a 60HZ monitor, can only show 60fps. So if you got a game running at 120 fps, it'll be limited thanks to your monitor.
PC Case
Picking the right PC Case is an important decision and you will have to make sure to pick the right case for your PC. There are 3 standard cases for PC: mini tower, mid tower, and full tower. Mini towers have the minimum expand ability, mid towers have sufficient expandability, and they are also not as massive as full tower cases. While full towers are massive, but they are designed for maximum expand ability. You can pick any of the cases according to your needs but for an average user, mid tower case is perfect as it has sufficient room to add more component to your PC in the future. Graphic cards can be huge, so be aware that it might be a tight fit if you choose poorly. Also, you should look at your motherboard, and check if it will fit in your case. Because different cases are suited to different sizes of motherboards. ATX, MicroATX, And Mini-ITX. Are the terms you should look for.
Power Supply
You gotta pick this one hand in hand with your PC case. Because you should know if it fits in the case. And because you'll know how much power you need after picking all the components. Don't have to make it overkill (like, if your rig will need at least 600w. 900 is plenty, you do not need much more) But we do recommend picking up enough so you don't have to upgrade it after you change a component, like a graphics card. Be sure to read how much Watt your components need, and choose a power supply based on its information. There are a lot of brands out there with Power supplies that do not meet the proper quality you would expect. Meaning it could seriously mess up your system. Be sure to always buy from respectable brands. Examples could be : Corsair, Seasonic, or Antec. We recommend going with a big unit. As it is outfitted with a larger heat sink, meaning it is more efficient in it's heating dissipation. The connectors are also very important. Because there are different types of connectors that have different pins, that might not fit on lets say your GPU. There are multiple types, an example would be: 20+4 pins. Meaning it can function as a 20 pin or 24 ( you're able to not plug in the 4 extras).
Because there are so many types of budgets that fit with other component combos. You should always properly research your parts carefully before buying. Because let's say: a 500 euro build. Could still be powerful, because you can spend less on certain parts that would still work, but it would be a bit older. Tons of websites can help you. YouTube for one, and sites like : https://pcpartpicker.com/
So, now you know a little more about the components of a gaming PC. In part 2, we will talk about things like PC performance. FPS, overclock, and the progress of setting everything up correctly.