How to Build a Gaming Desktop
Building a gaming desktop can be a fun way to learn about computers and build a powerful computer in the process. From the CPU to the power supply, you will decide the components that go into your computer. While the concept may seem intimidating, it is key to focus on the aspects of the parts, and not the brand (though brand is important at times). By understanding what will offer you the best performance, you will be able to put together a great gaming platform.
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Instructions
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Choose what kind of CPU you will use. You will need to choose if you want a dual-core or quad-core processor, and if you want an Intel or AMD chipset. This typically narrows down to preference, though Intel is arguably more common. Processor speed is also important; anything over 2.5GHz will be great for gaming.
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Choose a motherboard. This will be determined by the CPU you purchase. If you buy a Intel CPU, you will need a Intel compatible motherboard. Moreover, you will need to keep in mind graphics cards; motherboards are typically optimized for either nVidia or ATI, but not both.
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Choose a graphics card. Make sure to buy a card that will be compatible with your motherboard and has at least 512mb of dedicated video RAM.
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Choose your RAM. Which brand is typically based on preference, though capacity is dependent on the operating system. If you are running 32-bit version of Windows, you will be capped at 4 gigs, which includes the graphics card's dedicated video RAM. If you have a 64-bit version of Windows, you can use 8 gigs or more of RAM.
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Select your power supply. Make sure that you don't skimp on the power on this part; a good system should have at least 600 -- 700 watts of power. Try to find a decent sized model (it has to fit in your case) that delivers good power.
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Choose drives. You will need a hard drive and DVD drive for your media and games. Both drives should be SATA connected. Your hard disk should be a large capacity (at least 500 gigs or more) for your games and have a 7200 rpm spin speed. Your DVD drive should be RW, as this will allow for the most options when burning disks.
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Choose a case. There are two things to consider when buying a case: size and style. First, all of the components you purchased need to fit within the case. Secondly, you need to like the case. Sites such as http://www.newegg.com/ have many cases from many vendors for you to choose from.
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Tips & Warnings
Assembling a custom computer takes experience and varies infinitely depending on the parts you buy. Finding a tutorial online and asking questions at your local electronics retailer are great ways to learn.
Remember, when it comes to games, more power is always better. Purchasing the better/faster product now means your current games will play their best and that future games will work as well.
You can buy nearly all of these parts at a local electronic retailer (such as Best Buy) or online at sites such as http://www.newegg.com
