How to Build a Good Gaming PC

A good gaming system is built around a good motherboard

Build a good gaming machine by exceeding the minimum requirements for the particular games the machine will play. No two games have the same needs, and when deciding what to put in a new game computer it is important to consider the software it will run. Select parts in each category from within the range of those which meet the minimum requirements and are within the budget. Keep in mind the fact that the software companies are likely to come out with a few additional requirements for the next release of their software.

Things You'll Need

• CPU
• Heat sink and fan
• Motherboard
• RAM
• Video card
• Hard drive
• Optical drive
• Case
• Power supply
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Speakers
• Power protection
• Operating system
• Anti-static wrist strap
• Screwdriver set
• Nylon cable ties

Instructions

Selecting Components

1. Obtain a retail boxed CPU that has four or six cores and is rated at 2.5 GHz or higher and comes with a heat sink and fan combination provided by the manufacturer. Buy a motherboard that offers several SATA and USB ports, support for at least 16 GB of RAM, and has two or more PCIe 2.0 x16 slots that support either SLI or CrossFire X video card technology. Purchase at least 4 GB of RAM in high density modules to allow for easy upgrade.

2. Acquire one or more video cards with at least 1 GB of RAM and a high speed rating that support the multiple video card technology provided by the motherboard. Purchase a hard drive with 2 TB of storage and an optical drive with multiple format support.

3. Buy a case that has room for all of the current and potential future components and a large power supply with at least 500 watts of power to match. Obtain a monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers to match the preference of the user. Purchase a surge suppressing outlet strip or a battery backup system that comes with a protection warranty for items plugged into it. Acquire a 64-bit version of an operating system to use on the system that is supported by the games that will be played.

Building the System

1. Connect the alligator clip on the anti-static wrist strap to the bare metal of the case. Insert the CPU into the socket on the motherboard by raising the locking lever and aligning pin 1 on the CPU with pin 1 on the socket as indicated on each by a small triangular marking near pin 1. Attach the heat sink and fan to the motherboard making sure it is centered over the chip and making even contact with it.

2. Install the RAM modules onto the motherboard by aligning the small key notch in the module with key tab in the slot and then sliding each module straight into the socket and applying even force until the plastic clips click into place.

3. 

   Rear port panel after motherboard installation.

   Replace the rear port face plate on the case with the new plate that came with the motherboard. Visually align the motherboard with the case to ensure the metal standoffs are lined up with the holes on the motherboard and that there is a standoff for each hole and no extras. Insert the motherboard into the case by sliding the rear ports slowly into the rear port face plate being careful to keep the metal tabs from bending in and getting caught in the ports. Lower the board onto the standoffs and secure each standoff with a matching screw.

4. Mount the drives in the case and attach the data cables from the drives to the motherboard. Attach the case wiring harness to the motherboard to provide connections for the power and reset switch, front panel USB and audio ports and other necessary connections. Install the power supply into the case and attach power to the motherboard, drives and to the video card if required. Bundle loose wires together gently with nylon cable ties and close the system after a final inspection.

5. Attach the monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers. Plug the power cables into the outlet strip or battery backup and power the computer on. Place the operating system disk into the optical drive and choose to boot from the CD/DVD if prompted. Proceed with the operating system installation by following the prompts from the software. Install drivers and updates once the operating system is loaded.

Tips & Warnings

• The number of cores in the CPU is often not as important as the speed for many games that are not optimized for multiple core CPUs. Buying the fastest available CPU is not often worth the extra money when slightly slower models are half the price of the newest version and run almost as fast. Retail boxed CPUs cost slightly more than OEM versions but come with an approved heat sink and fan and also have a three-year warranty. OEM CPUs do not have a fan and come with a one-year warranty. More RAM is better than faster RAM and the fastest RAM is only necessary when overclocking the system.

• Most of the components in the computer can be damaged by static electricity and you should wear an anti-static wrist strap. The pins on the CPU can be bent very easily, destroying the chip in the process. Always install operating system patches and updates before installing any other software. Run the system for several days prior to overclocking the motherboard to avoid doing permanent damage to the components.

References

• Build Your Own Computer - An Illustrated Guide to Building a PC

Resources

• AMD.com: AMD Processors for Desktop PCs
• Intel.com: How to Choose the Right Processor - Intel Processor Decision Tool