Building a gaming PC is an exciting endeavor that allows you to immerse yourself into the world of online entertainment. There are a range of communities that surround building your own console, and this is a great way to personalize your gameplay based on your own performance. However, it can be difficult to get started, especially as a beginner, as the parts lists provided by many online guides can feel too complex. That’s why we’ve compiled a beginner’s guide to the vital components you need when building a gaming PC.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Your CPU will lie at the heart of your new gaming PC. Designed to provide the instructions needed for your computer to actually do its work, the CPU works to complete instructions quickly and efficiently. Typically, the CPU will be connected to a main motherboard, which communicates messages between different parts and PC functions. However, without the processor at the center of operations, the finished product will struggle to work correctly.
Hard Drive
The hard drive will be a vital component in your PC, as this is what stores the data or instructions for the processor. While you can use RAM, this should not be viewed as a long-term solution, as this only stores the information for when the processor needs it and relies on the PC being online. A hard drive, on the other hand, stores the information permanently and can be accessed offline. For these reasons, it’s more productive and cost-effective to invest in one of the Lenovo gaming hard drives that come pre-built and ready to meet the demands of your data storage.
CPU Cooler
As you use your PC, its power will generate heat, particularly around the CPU. Because of this, it’s vital that you have the correct CPU cooler to support its primary functions and keep your computer running as intended.
Graphics Card (GPU)
Not to be confused with the CPU, the GPU or Graphics Processing Unit manages all things visual when it comes to your PC’s display. It’s responsible for the projection of images onto the screen, but also for the quality of these images, too. While some CPUs will come with a GPU built-in prior to assembly, it’s important to check for this when you’re ordering your required parts, just in case.
Power Supply
Finally, getting the right power supply unit for your PC is vital, as while you could create the most powerful gaming PC in the world, without power it simply won’t run. While there are a number of different power supply units, or PSUs, that you can choose from, we understand that choosing as a beginner can be tricky. You can use this handy tool to determine the wattage you’ll need based on your own personal specification.
Building your own gaming PC is exciting, but can be tricky to get right, especially for first timers. By prioritizing the parts we’ve discussed, you’ll have a solid foundation for your new PC which you can adapt and build on as your needs change.
