Having a personal computer (PC) is already considered essential in this modern-day and age wherein most activities and transactions happen online. This is the reason why most households already have a PC installed in their homes. While some go for laptops, which prove to be a more portable and convenient option, some still prefer a desktop because these can be configured to deliver maximum specs. If you are keen on assembling your own PC, below are the steps that you need to follow to come up with a terrific PC configuration.
Basic PC Configuration
1. Gather the Components That You Need
● Motherboard
In configuring a PC, the first thing that you need to do is to gather all the components that you need. In this case, you need to have a motherboard where every other component of your PC will be connected later on. While different types of motherboards may vary in size and configuration, they perform the same main function.
● Processor and Graphics Cards
Aside from a motherboard, you also need a processor, which is considered the brain of your computer. Like with the other components of your PC, the processor is plugged in directly to your motherboard. You also need a graphics processing unit (GPU), which is otherwise referred to as graphics cards. These are responsible for rendering high-quality visuals, such as when you watch videos, access photos, or play games.
● Storage and Memory
You also need to have a storage option where you will organize and save all of your files, which may include your games, movies, photos, and documents. Alongside this, you also need to have a memory component where your PC will temporarily store your data for easy access and retrieval. Some people tend to confuse storage with memory, but the key thing that you need to remember is that the former is designed for long-term storage while the latter is used for short-term purposes.
● Power Supply and Case
Finally, you also need to have a power supply to deliver the right amount of electricity to each of the components in your PC. The faster your computer is, the more power it needs, which means that you need to choose your PC’s power supply unit (PSU) properly. In addition to this, you need to have a durable PC casing to house all of your components together once you have them assembled.
2. Assemble the Components
When you have all the components that you need, the next thing that you need to do is to assemble each of the components properly. For you to do so, you need to have the proper tools and equipment, such as some screwdrivers and a pair of nose pliers, as well as tweezers. As soon as you are ready, begin installing the motherboard and the power supply. In this case, you can refer to the instructions that came when you purchased your motherboard. On the other hand, you will be able to find a spot for the power supply, usually near the top or the bottom of your PC’s case.
The next thing that you need to install is your PC’s CPU. While you will be able to connect this directly to your motherboard, you will probably need some thermal paste to install the heatsink that came with the processor. From there, you can already move into fitting your graphics cards, which can take up most of the space inside the case. Rest assured that it will lock into place effortlessly as long as you determine the right socket where you need to connect it.
The memory of your PC is perhaps one of the components of your PC that is easy to install because there should be a place in your motherboard where you will be able to slot them directly. From there, make sure to connect all the ribbon cables. The last step is to install the operating system of your PC as soon as you power it up.
Gaming PC Upgrade
If you are a gamer, then you need to have a more powerful PC configuration because this will provide you with a competitive edge when it comes to playing your favorite online games. In this case, it will help to scrutinize the specs of the PC used by top gamers such as Richard Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, who is probably the most popular gamer out there today. With a PC configuration that is very similar to a Ninja PC, there is a great chance for your gaming performance to improve drastically. In line with this, below are the components that you need to upgrade your basic PC configuration to a gaming PC like the one used by Ninja.
● Gaming Motherboard
For extreme gaming, make sure that you go for a high-end motherboard with the capability to support immense RAM as well as multiple graphics cards. In this case, you need to have a motherboard with the right channel, MHz, type, and size. An extreme gaming motherboard will most likely be capable of supporting a DD4 RAM from 2133MHz to 5000MHz in dual-channel format, or two sticks of RAM working in pairs.
● High-end CPU
You should also upgrade your CPU to cater to extreme gaming. In this case, you can choose between two main manufacturers of CPU, namely AMD and Intel. Intel’s ultimate gaming processor with a significant amount of power is the tenth generation of processors referred to as Comet Lake. The processing power of these gaming processors will allow you to play 4K games, stream to Twitch, and edit your videos seamlessly.
● Contemporary Graphics Cards
When it comes to powering your games, the graphics cards do the majority of the workload, which means that you need to go for the newest ones in the market. The 20-series of graphics cards from Nvidia is your best option in this case because these cards support RTX Ray Tracing and stunning visuals. With these cards, you will be able to run the latest games in ultra settings and also support 4K while delivering optimum framerates.
● Storage Options and Requirements
There are quite a number of options that you can consider when it comes to upgrading your PC to cater to extreme gaming. In this case, think about getting M.2 NVME drives, which can manage 3500 MB per second, useful for transferring and editing 4K video files. A hard disk drive (HDD), as well as a solid-state drive (SSD), may not fulfill your extreme gaming requirements.
● Greater RAM
The more RAM that your PC has, the quicker it will be able to act as you play games. For proper high-end gaming, you will need at least 32GB of RAM, which is already useful when it comes to streaming, as well as creating content. Rest assured that your PC’s RAM is one of the components that is quite easy to upgrade.
● Powerful PSU
You also need to upgrade your PC’s PSU to support extreme gaming. The reason behind this is that if your PSU fails to produce ample power to the other components of your PC, there is a great chance for your machine to suddenly turn off even in the middle of your game. Leverage online calculators to determine the amount of power that you need and use the wattage results as a basis of the PSU that you should get for your PC.
● CPU Heatsink
A CPU heatsink is one of the components that an extreme gaming PC should have to ensure that all of the components of your PC are kept cool. In this way, not only will you prevent your PC from overheating, but you will also get to enjoy uninterrupted gaming. You should go for a liquid cooling system with a large radiator to ensure that all of the components of your PC are running smoothly.
● Gaming PC Cases
PC cases come in different sizes, but in building a PC for gaming purposes, you should go for a larger PC case, which has enough space for the cooling system that you need to install. This will also make it easier for you to assemble all the components that you need while allowing for ample air room to flow through. Also, consider getting a case fan plugged directly to the motherboard to keep your PC’s case cool.
● Gaming Peripherals
Aside from the brain and heart of your PC, you also need to think about other gaming peripherals, such as a gaming monitor with a visually stunning refresh rate to keep the images sharp, paving the way for a faster reaction time. You also need an efficient keyboard and mouse combination with the right sensitivity for improved gameplay. Gaming keyboards are designed with mechanical keys that allow for faster typing, while a gaming mouse is designed to be more precise, which is beneficial particularly for high-paced games.
While there are already several state-of-the-art laptops, there are certain specifications that are available only on a desktop computer. There is a greater chance for you to have a high-performing desktop computer if you assemble it according to the specifications that you need. In this case, just follow the steps listed above, and for sure, you will have a PC that will give you a competitive edge even for gaming.
