How to Build Your Gaming PC from Scratch

If you’re looking to equip yourself with a killer gaming PC, you have the option of building your own computer from scratch. The obvious benefit of your own build is that you get to determine what goes into the PC.

Plus, you will have a better understanding of how your PC works, something you wouldn’t necessarily know if otherwise. That’s not even mentioning the amount of money you are likely going to save.

If you are looking to build a gaming PC with enough horsepower to run games like Monster Hunter World, then you should aim for a machine that focuses on graphics performance. This is what you will be focusing over the next few paragraphs. Build a pure gaming machine that you can use even with the best virtual reality headsets on the market!

However, use the general gist of this guide to improve on any areas you feel necessary for you as an individual.

Step 1: Choose Your Components

The first step to creating your very own perfect gaming PC is selecting these fine ingredients:

• Intel Core i5-4590 CPU – More and more games on the market are making use of multiple core architectures. This processor turbos up to 3.7GHz from the base 3.3GHz, and offers you a 6MB L3 cache.
• Asus H97M-E Motherboard – This versatile motherboard offers you room for improving your build using USB ports and SATA interfaces.
• AMD Radeon R9 290X Graphics Card – This card will easily play GTA V at its highest settings.
• Crucial MX100 512GB SSD Storage – You need to consider the space the OS itself will take as well as space required for a few games.
• XFX Core Edition 550W Power Supply – Modern motherboards, chipsets, processors, and SSDs are not as power hungry as devices of a few years ago. The only piece of equipment likely to tax this power supply is the graphics card.
• Corsair 8GB (2 X 4GB) DDR3 Memory – Modern games are more exacting at the memory front, while speed is not important, capacity matters.
• Chassis – It’s always a good idea to go with a bigger case for extra cooling space. In addition, look for a chassis with a tool-free design that makes building more of a pleasure than a pain.

Before you start putting everything together, it’s worthy to note that a few assumptions have been made. For instance, these instructions assume that you already have a screwdriver, screen, keyboard and mouse.

In addition, you have an Internet connection; you might have noticed that the PC build doesn’t have an optical drive. Most people don’t use them any more – not unless they are looking to rip old music CDs!

Step 2: Start Inside Out and Grease Up

Remove your motherboard from its antistatic bag and drop the processor in place. Drive the two memory sticks into their slots and gently slide the graphics card in place.

Before attaching the CPU cooler to the board, dab a blob of thermal grease on the processor to ensure good contact. The ideal size of the blob should be at least a few grains of rice worth, once you attach the cooler, it will spread out the blob into an even layer.

Connect the Power Supply Unit (PSU) ATX cable and CPU power cables to the motherboard. Attach the 6-pin and PCIe connectors to the graphics card.

Step 3: Carry Out a Naked Boot Test

Without attaching the drives, connect your screen to the graphics card and plug in your keyboard. Power up your PSU and start the bare machine by shorting power pins on the front panel connector using a screwdriver – check the motherboard manual for its power button location.

What you are checking for is that the unit starts, fans spin, you get the POST screen, and that you can get into the BIOS. Ensure that the motherboard is indicating the right CPU and RAM.

Now that the core works, shut down your machine and unplug the PSU from the mains. Remove power cables leading to motherboard and graphics card, but leave the CPU, cooler fan and RAM in place.

Step 4: Install into the Chassis

Before dropping the motherboard into the chassis, install the PSU in place, and orientate it in such a manner that it sucks air from outside. Pulling the mass of cables out of the way, attach the motherboard into the chassis and screw it into place.

Next, add your SSD drive into one of the front facing racks in the case and attach the SATA cable. Now install your graphics card into a primary PCIe slot and screw the bracket to chassis.

Step 5: Panel Power and Cable Management

Use the motherboard manual to locate connectors that you attach to the chassis front panel components like audio and USB headers. Connect the reset switch, power and storage lights, and secure the cables.

Plug in the long motherboard power cable first followed by GPU, CPU and drive power connectors, finish by ensuring that the cables do not obstruct any of the fans. Once you have taken care of all the essentials, connect your screen, keyboard and mouse to the appropriate ports – leave the chassis side open when booting up for the first time to ensure that all fans are spinning.

Step 6: RAM Your Speed

Press the power button once and watch as your creation springs to life. Enter the BIOS screen and check that CPU temperature is below 40 to 50 degrees Centigrade, and ensure that you can see your storage drive as the primary boot option.

Check also the RAM settings and ensure the sticks are running at rated frequency on relevant profiles. Save BIOS and exit.

Step 7: Install OS in Your Just Built Gaming PC

Fortunately, you can install your preferred Operating System (OS) from a USB device. Choose your USB media attached and boot OS using BIOS.

Once you’ve completed installing the OS, make sure that you have an Internet connection. Now, all that remains is updating the graphics card drivers.

A PC for Running Games to Come

You’ve just put together a great gaming PC without breaking the bank. Using the specs above, you have created a machine that offers you the perfect combination of great performance at fantastic value for money. This machine is likely going to last you a few years of running cutting-edge PC games!