Here’s a how to build a gaming PC video to assist you during the process.
To assist further with our information, pictures, and steps, we also have this how to build a gaming PC video.
Some things to consider before you start building
Before anyone builds a PC, there are a few things you need to consider.
First, you need to ensure you understand your own needs in relation to the components you can afford to buy.
After reading this section, you’ll know whether building a gaming PC is right for you (it almost certainly is) or if you should go with a prebuilt machine instead.
Choosing your budget & understanding your needs
How much is a PC? Start by setting yourself a budget, component prices can vary dramatically depending on what you want from your PC, so you’ll need to think about whether you want to build an entry-level, mid-level, or high-end gaming PC.
What’s the difference between these levels, though? And what impact does each level have on your budget? We’ll explore this in more detail below but, to give you a brief insight into the estimated budget for each level, check out the table below:
| PC Level | Estimated Budget |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $300 – $600 |
| Mid-Level | $600 – $800 |
| High-Level | $1000+ |
*Note: These prices cover casing and hardware, not gaming peripherals like monitors, mice, or keyboards.
Entry-level
A $300-$400 budget will allow you to build a gaming PC that can run certain games (such as esports titles) in low settings but won’t be enough to build a PC that’s suitable for playing AAA or high-definition games.
This is fine if you’re looking to build a PC specifically for playing older titles, but you will need to remember that building an entry-level gaming PC is going to severely limit the choice of games you can play, as well as the quality of the games themselves.
Spending between $500-$600 on your gaming PC build will allow you to invest in a graphics card or a more powerful processor. This means you’ll be able to play some modern AAA games, however, these will need to be played with lower graphic settings.
So, while it might be a better choice for anybody working with a lower budget, it’s often a better idea to hold off until you’ve got a little more money to play with. You’ll then be able to build a gaming PC that can give you a much better performance.
Mid-range
If you want to play modern titles and even enjoy the world of VR gaming, a budget of $600-$800 will be your minimum spend. Higher graphic settings of 1080p are achievable within this price range, as well as higher FPS counts of around 144+.
You’ll even be able to add multi-threading to your PC’s list of features if you choose to go with an AMD processor. This further enhances the gameplay of certain titles and gives you more versatility over the range of titles your PC can play.
High-end
With an $800-$1000 budget, you’re going to be able to build a super-powerful PC that is capable of much more than just simple gaming. You’ll be able to purchase components that give you powerful performance when playing with maxed-out settings upwards of 1440p.
Spending $1000 plus on your PC build will give you all of the above performance as well as giving you the ability to play games with high-definition, 4K graphics. Heavier workloads tasks such as streaming and video rendering will also be handled with ease.
So, as you can see, the minimum budget you’ll need to build your own gaming PC is $300. This will give you an entry-level PC, though, so if you’re looking to play modern games or anything with 4K performance, you’ll need to put aside a lot more money.
This doesn’t cover any peripherals like monitors, mice, or keyboards though – so this is something you’re going to have to factor in, too.
What is a good budget for a gaming PC?
The higher the better isn’t always the best course of action. After a certain point, the returns of your PC build begin to diminish.
In the current market, we think around $1200 could be a good budget for a gaming PC.
Sure, it would be lovely to splash $2000 on a brand-new gaming rig but for the vast majority of us, 1000- $1200 is a good starting place.
At this price, you can have an excellent PC for gaming in 1080p, with some performance at 1440p too. 4K would be considered a bit of a stretch at this price point.
build a PC or go prebuilt – Is it worth building a PC for gaming?
So, you’ve worked out your budget and have a better idea of what you can afford. You also know what you want your PC to be capable of.
Now it’s a good idea to think about whether building your own PC is the best choice or if purchasing a pre-built gaming PC is a better fit for your budget. There are pros and cons for each, so let’s explore these in more detail below.
Self-built PC
There’s a great feeling of self-accomplishment that comes from building your own gaming PC. You’ll need to be fully dedicated to completing it, though. You’ll also need to know exactly what you need, where everything goes, and be fairly tech-savvy.
Of course, this article has all the information you need. But building a gaming PC is intricate work and you’ll have to practice some patience and dexterity to complete the job.
However, one thing that you’ll be able to do by building your own rig is customize it exactly the way you want. Pre-built PCs are a kind of ‘this is what you’re getting’ deal. By building your own, the sky’s the limit and you’ll be able to create something that caters to your gaming style and needs.
Prebuilt PC
We’ll start by saying that a pre-built gaming PC is definitely the best option for anybody that is relatively technophobic or unconfident with building their own PC. The slightest mistake could cost you time and money, so if you’re not 100% certain about what you’re doing, go for a pre-built PC.
Pre-built gaming PCs are ready to go straight out of the box too. So, while you won’t get that feeling of self-accomplishment, you will be able to get on with playing some games a lot sooner.
However, things are a lot less customizable with pre-built gaming PCs, and you’ll have to take what you can get. They are also a lot more expensive than building your own and, although they will come with technical support and will have been thoroughly tested, your budget will take a bit more of a beating.
Is it hard to build your own gaming PC?
No, the main concern for many newbie PC builders is compatibility issues and damaging parts.
Compatibility can be sorted out with a small amount of research, there are tonnes of online help to ensure you get the correct parts for your new PC.
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