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How to Build Yourself a Great Gaming PC
The PC is still the most gaming-rich platform available. In a world where consoles are getting more and more popular many people have abandoned the hard work that a PC can be for the simplicity of a console system. What many console gamers are missing is the diverse range of gaming opportunities available on the PC. If you own a console and are looking to re-invest in a PC or are just looking to build a new gaming rig to replace your ageing one then this guide will show you how to do it.
1. Processor
The two main elements of any new build I consider first are the processor and the graphics card. It is worth allocating a large part of your budget to these items and they will dictate how fast your new PC will be. Dual core is an absolute minimum today, however if your budget possibly allows you should try to grab yourself a quad core. As more and more games make use of multi-core rendering you will see the benefits of using a quad core over a dual core.
Read some reviews online and get the best deal you can on your processor. So long as you buy a motherboard that supports future processors (discussed later in this guide) then upgrading the processor will be easy when your current one begins to struggle on the latest games.
2. Graphics card
The next item you will need to consider is a graphics card. Never underestimate the importance of this. If you are intending to play games then this is absolutely essential. Today there are two graphics card manufacturers that are worth considering. These are Nvidia and ATI. Both names are highly respected and it is always best to read a review online of cards in your price range to see which one gives you the best 'bang for buck' at the time.
One thing that is worth considering is PhysX. One of these manufacturers supports this physics technology and the other currently does not. This is definitely worth considering if you are looking to play modern PhysX equipped games.
3. Motherboard
The most confusing and most-overlooked part of any build is the motherboard. I have lost count of the times I have seen fantastic graphics cards and processors plugged into a cheap motherboard. If you do not provide a good link between the components then you will never see their true potential. Therefore a good quality motherboard is essential.
When choosing a motherboard you will need to check various features it has to see if it is suitable for the processor you have chosen. Ensure that it not only supports your brand of processor but the type you have as well (dual core, quad core etc). Make sure that you purchase a board with the fastest bus speed you can find and enough slots for your RAM (discussed below). You may also like things such as onboard sound meaning you do not need a separate soundcard, or you may be looking for a large number of USB ports. Doing your research will ensure you make the right choice, so don't rush and make sure everything is suitable before you buy.
4. RAM
Once you have some of the main components sorted you will need to think about some memory. RAM stands for Random Access Memory and without it your brand new PC will not even boot up your operating system. Think of it as a buffer between your hard drive and your other components. The process of buying RAM is easy, the more you buy the faster your PC operates - simple.
Currently I would suggest 4GB of RAM for a new build, however be aware that on 32bit operating systems it may not use all of this. If you are on a tight budget then 2GB will suffice, however it is worth pushing to 4GB as your 32bit operating system will attempt to use as much as possible. I am currently running Windows 7 32bit with 4GB of RAM and the operating system is using 3.5GB of it. This is fine until you upgrade to a 64bit system in the future where the full capacity of your RAM will be utilised.
5. Power Supply
Never ever skimp on a power supply. If you are building a powerful gaming machine you will be putting all your precious equipment at risk if you do not invest in a good power supply to feed them with the necessary voltage. It has been known for an entire PC's components to be completely ruined when a power supply that was less than the requirement gave up and took all the components with it.
Doing some research on the internet will allow you to explore the requirements of your graphics card and processor (this information should also be available from the retailer selling the goods or on the packaging of the product). Simply buying a power supply with a high wattage rating will not always ensure you have the right power. It is worth going for at least a 650 Watt supply (but get more if you can possibly afford it) and also ensure that the +12v rail carries adequate voltage. This information can be found on the manufacturers website which can be compared with the requirements listed by the manufacturer of the graphics card and processor your will be buying.
6. Hard Drive
What will you be using your PC for? This is the question that you need to ask yourself when choosing a hard drive. If you will simply be gaming then it would be worth investing in at least a 500GB hard drive as games are getting larger and larger all the time. Take GTA4, this game currently occupies nearly 16GB on my hard drive. When I add this to all my other games (assuming you keep most of your games installed all the time like I do) you can start to see the need for a hard drive as large of this. Better to plan ahead and buy more than you need to cover all the bases.
If looked after a hard drive can last 5-6 years so best to get one with ample storage. If you are planning on using the PC for other tasks such as video editing and storage then 500GB will soon fill up. I would suggest in this situation spending a little more and going for a 1TB drive. This can store a huge quantity of data and should be good for many years. If you need to supplement this hard drive with even more storage then you can always buy a USB powered external drive at a later date.
7. Case
What case do you currently have? If you have an old beige/cream style case then please change it - they look so ugly today. Cases are often overlooked - but look at it this way - would you spend a fortune on a brand new car engine, gearbox and interior and then fit them all inside a rusty old banger? Think of your PC the same way. A case does not have to be expensive.
Some websites and shops will stock very expensive cases. Unless you have a lot of cash to burn then ignore these. You can buy yourself a decent case for under fifty pounds that will be a great investment. You are not just buying a case for its looks (but modern ones do look very pretty) you are buying it for its cooling properties. Your old cream case is unlikely to have great cooling properties for modern PC components so unless you want to suffer constant restarts due to the parts overheating then a modern case with good cooling will not only keep everything at a decent temperature, but look great whilst doing it.
When choosing a case I always make sure that there is a large fan at the front drawing cool air inside. It is then important to draw hot air from the components so ensure you have either one large fan at the rear of the case sucking air out of the back. Some cases allow a large fan to be fitted and others will give the option to fit two smaller ones. I would recommend using all the space you are provided with to fit fans at the rear. In the summertime your PC can get very hot and the more hot air drawn away from it will ensure that the components run as efficiently as possible.
8. Smaller accessories
Your PC will require a DVD drive. It is really up to you which brand you choose as today they are pretty much the same price. You may wish to spend a little more and buy yourself a Blu-Ray drive. If you are an avid film watcher then a Blu-Ray drive will allow you to watch your Blu-Ray movies on your monitor through your PC. There are also Blu-Ray writers available, however these do tend to be more expensive.
A single blank Blu-Ray disc is still very expensive - around ten pounds the last time I looked. This is maybe worth waiting for until prices come down a little. For most users a DVD rewriter drive is perfectly adequate for all tasks and are very reasonably priced.
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