The college resolutions, faster frame rates, and improve visuals promised by PC gaming are tempting to any gamer, only building your ain gaming desktop can exist intimidating if you don't know where to start. Thankfully, PCs are much easier to build than they were in the past, and while it's non as like shooting fish in a barrel (or as affordable) as assembling a Lego set, y'all don't have to be scared of it.

To aid, nosotros've put together this straightforward PC building guide for anyone wary of edifice their start PC or needing a refresher on the steps involved.

Table of Contents [hide]

  • A await at some gaming PC builds
    • Loftier-cease gaming PC build
    • $ane,000 gaming PC build
  • Tools
  • Terms to know
  • How to build a gaming PC
    • Step 1: Fix your motherboard
    • Step ii: Install the CPU
    • Stride 3: Install Chiliad.2 SSD(south)
    • Pace 4: Install the RAM
    • Step five: Get your case fix for your motherboard
    • Pace six: Install your motherboard into your case
    • Step seven: Install your power supply (PSU)
    • Step viii: Connect whatever SATA hard drives/SSDs
    • Step 9: Plug your case and ability cables into the motherboard
    • Step x: Install your CPU cooling system
    • Pace 11: Start cable direction
    • Step 12: Install your graphics menu
    • Step 13: Install your OS
    • If your PC doesn't plow on

A expect at some gaming PC builds

Before we become to the actual building portion, we need to talk nigh finding and ownership the parts for your PC. Finding the correct parts can be confusing -- and expensive. Gaming PCs can cost equally piddling as $500, or as much every bit several thousand dollars to build. Evidently, more expensive parts usually mean more power, simply shopping for a build that fits your budget is often the biggest obstacle for outset-time builders. There are several components that you need, each with a plethora of models, specs, and compatibility requirements to consider.

We know this can be overwhelming, then nosotros created example builds from hardware available at the time of writing. The start is a high-end rig powerful enough for bleeding-border gaming performance, and the other is a more affordable $g build that volition run about games at decent settings.

That said, have our example desktops as suggestions rather than strict loadouts, since many online stores are experiencing production shortages and shipping delays due to the global chip shortage. We tin can't guarantee every office in our lists will be available, or fifty-fifty the same price, at a given fourth dimension. In that example, refer to resources like PC Part Picker or Newb Computer Build'due south example builds to find suitable replacements.

Last note: Our example builds include all the necessary parts for mod PC gaming, merely they just cover the PC itself. Optional parts, similar optical drives, aren't included, but you need i to play games or media off discs. We also skipped accessories, just our buying guides for the best gaming mice, best gaming headset, best capture card for streaming, all-time gaming keyboard, and all-time upkeep gaming monitors tin aid round out your build.

High-cease gaming PC build

Exact cost: $three,400

  • MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 -- $1,290
  • Intel i9-9900K processor -- $750
  • Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra gaming motherboard -- $316
  • 2x Crucial 1TB NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD -- $130 each
  • One thousand.Skill Ripjaws Five Serial 32GB RAM -- $134
  • MSI Million CoreLiquid S280 cooling organization -- $243
  • EVGA SuperNOVA g G3 PSU -- $168
  • Fractal Design Meshify C case -- $99
  • Windows 10 Abode -- $139

$1,000 gaming PC build

Exact price: $i,053

  • MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ventus XS -- $359
  • Intel Cadre i5-12400Fprocessor -- $185
  • MSI B560M-A PRO ProSeries Motherboard -- $98
  • Crucial P1 500GB NVMe M.ii SSD -- $63
  • Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB RAM -- $69
  • Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU cooler -- $35
  • EVGA 500-watt ATX power supply -- $50
  • Zalman S4 ATX Mid Tower case -- $55
  • Windows ten Home -- $139

Note: Prices to a higher place were authentic at the time of writing, but they are subject field to change.

Tools

For the vast bulk of your build, y'all'll exist using a No. two Phillips screwdriver, only if you're installing Grand.2 SSDs into your motherboard, then you'll desire to use a smaller No. 1 Phillips screwdriver for that.

Flashlight:

Thankfully, well-nigh every smartphone on the market can be used as a flashlight, and yous'll probable need it when installing certain cables and components into your case.

Thermal paste:

You'll want a tube of thermal paste to keep your CPU'south temperature low during use. Most CPU coolers come with thermal paste already practical, which means yous won't need whatever extra. Still, if you do cease up ownership a tube of thermal paste, you lot can clean the cooler's paste off and use your own.

Terms to know

Nosotros've attempted to simplify the procedure of edifice a gaming PC as much as possible here, but if yous're non familiar with PC hardware, some of the terms in this guide may need some clarification. We've briefly explained some of the parts and terminology we'll be using beneath. Feel complimentary to reference this section as yous work on your build.

GPU: GPU stands for graphics processing unit; another name for a graphics card. This will handle displaying images on your PC. The more elaborate and complex these images are, the more power you lot'll need from your graphics card. The 2 big names in the graphics carte du jour game are Nvidia and AMD.

CPU: The CPU (central processing unit, as well known as a processor) handles all of the processes and calculations on your PC. For your PC, you'll choose a CPU from either Intel or AMD.

Motherboard: The motherboard is where all of the components are installed, allowing them to work together and perform their functions properly.

SATA: SATA is a blazon of connection, like USB, that is used for hard drives and SSDs to transfer data

PCIe: PCIe is another type of connection, though it'south most commonly used for graphics cards and One thousand.2 SSDs

NVMe: NVMe is a type of connection protocol that tin be supported past M.2 SSDs. This provides much faster admission to saving and accessing data.

M.two SSD: An M.2 SSD is a small stick that provides your PC with storage space. You lot can get a SATA-based M.2 SSD or a PCIe-based M.two SSD, the latter of which can support NVMe.

RAM: The RAM (or random access retentivity) is used to store data and information that is being processed by the CPU. The more RAM yous have--paired with a practiced-quality processor--the faster your PC tin perform its various functions.

Cooling arrangement: The cooling system is used to protect the CPU from overheating.

PSU: The PSU (or ability supply) supplies your PC and its various components with ability.

OS: OS stands for operating system. Most gaming PCs will use Windows 10--it's what we suggest--though some people may want to install Linux.

How to build a gaming PC

Step 1: Prepare your motherboard

Parts used: Motherboard

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Assembling the motherboard exterior of the case will make your whole feel much easier to deal with. Our general rule of thumb is to install as many parts as possible before screwing it into your case. An important thing to notation before starting on your motherboard is that you should refer to its manual equally ofttimes equally possible, equally your specific motherboard may suggest specific means or places to install your components. Also, keep in listen that certain parts will require some strength when plugging them in, while others just just need to exist placed into their respective spots. Please pay close attention to the post-obit instructions before installing your components.

The showtime thing you lot'll want to do is make sure you're assembling your PC on a flat surface. Don't build it on a rug--the mixture of static electricity and your PC'south parts is a dangerous combination and could crusade impairment to your components. Information technology'due south unlikely to happen, but nosotros even so suggest touching your metal example from time to fourth dimension to help footing yourself and avert this from happening.

Instead, build your rig in a room with hardwood or laminate floors like a dining room or kitchen--nosotros fifty-fifty went the extra mile and took our socks off. Take your motherboard out of its packaging and and then place it on a flat surface. You tin lay it directly on your table, but we personally placed it on top of its box to avoid scratching our desk-bound. At this point, yous're ready to starting time.

Stride 2: Install the CPU

Parts used: CPU, motherboard

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The easiest part of your entire build is also the first: installing our AMD Ryzen CPU. Your motherboard's CPU socket volition be protected by a slice of plastic, which you lot'll be able to remove when you open the tray. All you need to exercise is gently push down on the tray'southward metallic arm and pull it out. Once it's free of the tray, lift it up to open the socket and the protective plastic volition fall out. Be sure to keep this plastic piece in case of whatever issues with your motherboard, as yous'll demand to reinsert information technology before sending it dorsum to the manufacturer.

At this point, your CPU socket tray should be open, allowing you to install your CPU on to your motherboard. Your CPU should have some minor half-circle indents in its lath. The CPU socket is designed to fill these indents, making it piece of cake to line up your CPU and install information technology properly. Once you lot've figured out how to place your CPU into its socket, do so gently. Do not apply pressure level direct on the CPU--simply shut the tray and make sure the metal arm is locked into its original position, which may require a fleck of force.

Footstep 3: Install Yard.two SSD(s)

Parts used: K.2 SSD(due south), motherboard

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Yard.2 SSDs are another easy pace in the process, but don't forget to reference your manual to find out which M.ii slots you should use beginning. Your motherboard may accept protective thermal guards on your M.2 slots, then remove those first. Once you've taken any guards off the motherboard, you can slot in your M.ii SSDs. These require a little bit of force to slot into their respective slots, simply don't push too hard--they should slide in quite hands. Once the 1000.2 SSDs are in their slots, the opposite end should be pointing upwards at a diagonal angle. At this point, you lot take the corresponding screw (that is often included with your motherboard), push button each M.2 SSD down, and screw them into the appropriate spots. At this point, you tin have the thermal guard and identify it on top of each M.2 SSD, screwing it back into place.

Footstep four: Install the RAM

Parts used: RAM, motherboard

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This is another footstep where you'll want to reference your motherboard's manual, which should exist able to tell you which order to identify the RAM in. If yous have 4 slots and only two sticks of RAM, so you lot should make certain the two sticks are spaced apart in either the first and 3rd slot or second and quaternary--your motherboard manual can advise you here. Placing your RAM apart similar this volition assist you get the most out of your CPU. Showtime off, be sure to flip downwardly the plastic clips on both sides of each slot you lot plan on using. Inserting the RAM requires more force, but brand certain you start small and then ramp upward your pressure level gradually. When you hear a click, your RAM is in its slot. This should crusade the plastic clips to flip upwardly, gripping your RAM. If y'all observe your clips haven't flipped up, so your RAM may non be seated properly.

Step 5: Get your case gear up for your motherboard

Parts used: Case

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It'south virtually fourth dimension to throw your motherboard into your case, but first you'll demand to screw in some standoff screws that you'll identify your motherboard onto earlier screwing information technology in. These standoffs will come with your motherboard, and once you've located them, you tin start screwing them into your case. In that location should exist virtually a dozen holes for the standoffs to fit into. Refer to your case'due south transmission if you're having trouble finding them. Once the standoffs are screwed in, you lot're fix to insert your motherboard.

Pace half-dozen: Install your motherboard into your case

Parts used: Motherboard, instance

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The standoffs make information technology like shooting fish in a barrel to place your motherboard into your case, but don't start screwing it in straight away. At that place should be a space on the back of your example for your motherboard'due south I/O ports to fit into. Information technology'll be a rectangle, and you'll want your motherboard to be inserted comfortably into this space so that you lot can access all of the ports. Once everything fits, you lot can start screwing your motherboard onto the standoffs with the appropriate screws. Don't forget that you don't desire to screw annihilation too tightly. But turn your screwdriver until everything is securely tightened, and and so you're fix to move on.

Step 7: Install your power supply (PSU)

Parts used: Ability supply, instance, motherboard

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Installing the power supply into your case is frequently quite like shooting fish in a barrel. Yous'll want to refer to your specific case's manual for this, but it'southward pretty straightforward. Beginning, nosotros took our case'southward mounting subclass and screwed it onto the back of our power supply. You lot'll observe your ability supply as well sports a fan, which is used to broadcast air. If you're planning on placing your finished gaming PC on a hardwood floor or desk-bound, then feel complimentary to aim this fan downward; if you're placing your gaming PC on a carpeted floor, then you'll want to aim the fan upwards.

Once you've figured out which mode your PSU needs to be oriented, and screwed on the mounting bracket, you tin can easily slide it into your example and tighten the subclass's screws. Depending on how much room you have for your PSU, you may desire to hold off on screwing it in until you've plugged in all of its various power cables.

Step viii: Connect whatever SATA difficult drives/SSDs

Parts used: SATA drives, case, power supply

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Now that the power supply is installed, you tin can get-go connecting any SATA difficult drives or SSDs. Your example should have a specific bay surface area dedicated to holding these kinds of drives. Locate this area, so await for ii metal clasps on the left and correct side of each bay. Clasp these clasps and then pull the bay out. Here is where you'll be able to screw in your SATA drive and go on it stable inside your case. Once this is done, you'll want to reinsert the bay into its identify, and then plug a SATA and PSU cable into your difficult drive. Find the SATA slot on your motherboard and plug the other side of the appropriate cablevision into it, then plug the other side of the PSU cable into your power supply. Your drive is now installed, though you lot will need to format it once your PC is up and running.

Step nine: Plug your case and power cables into the motherboard

Parts used: Instance, power supply, motherboard

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Now, you're ready to start plugging cables into your motherboard. This part requires some patience, equally your example cables are extremely tiny and can be difficult to orient. You'll want to reference both your case and motherboard manuals during this pace. Some motherboards, like our Aorus Ultra, come up with a jitney that y'all can plug the case cables into earlier inserting them into the motherboard. This makes this pace much easier.

Your example cables make information technology so y'all can use the various ports on the front of your PC in addition to the ability push itself. Of course, nix is going to happen when you press that button if you don't plug your PSU into your motherboard. You lot'll want to plug the 24-pivot ATX and EPS12V cables into their respective spots on both the motherboard and PSU. You'll be plugging in all of your ability cables into the PSU, including fans, SATA drives, and your cooling system.

Step 10: Install your CPU cooling organization

Parts used: Cooling arrangement, CPU, motherboard

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Installing your cooling organization can exist a somewhat nerve-wracking experience, particularly when applying the thermal paste, but it's a lot easier than it sounds. The first affair you need to do is mount the system'due south bracket to the motherboard. You lot'll need access to the back of the motherboard tray, as y'all'll be screwing function of information technology to the back of the tray. This'll give you lot the spots you need to set the cooler's pump onto your CPU and motherboard. Before you do this, however, there are a few other steps.

Liquid-based CPU cooling systems come with a radiator equipped with fans, which you lot'll want to spiral into your case. Of course, y'all'll need to figure out where you want to install it. We recommend screwing it into your instance'due south tiptop grill, as it'll permit for more airflow, but some cases may not have a tiptop grill, and yous'll demand to install it on the dorsum of the case. Once you effigy out what position y'all're going to go with, y'all'll screw the radiator into the grill itself. In one case you're done this, yous're ready to adhere the pump.

First, you'll want to apply some thermal paste. Some coolers come up with thermal paste already applied; if that'southward the case, your cooler'southward thermal paste is most likely capable of handling the job, and you may be able to skip this side by side step. You can also easily remove the cooler's paste with a dry out textile if you lot bought thermal paste yous'd rather go with. You'll want to apply a pea-sized glob of thermal paste into the center of your CPU. During this stride, ever go smaller than bigger. Once applied, y'all can printing the cooler into its position on the CPU and thermal paste. If you lot experience like you've accidentally applied as well much thermal paste, don't worry: It'south as easy as wiping the CPU off with a dry fabric and rubbing alcohol and trying again.

Once the pump is installed, you lot'll want to make sure all of your cooling arrangement's wires are plugged into the right spots. Our particular libation required us to plug a micro-USB cable into our pump and the other side into our motherboard.

Step eleven: Start cablevision management

Parts used: Instance

Before we motility on to the final step of physically edifice your PC, you may want to practice some cable management to clean up. This'll create some room for air circulation and accessing your components if yous ever want to upgrade subsequently. Nigh cases come with Velcro straps or zip ties, just I always keep a bag of Velcros on hand just in example. The case nosotros went with, Fractal's Meshify C, includes an awesome area for cable direction that's equipped with a series of Velcro straps. It's located on the dorsum of the motherboard tray. We were able to slide all of our cables into this space and keep it all fastened up nicely.

The only null ties we used were for our CPU cooling organisation'southward wires, which were thin and plentiful. This made it easier for u.s.a. to orient them through the holes in our example to reach our desired spot. Just make sure you don't over-tighten your nada ties as doing so could harm your cables.

Step 12: Install your graphics card

Parts used: Graphics card, motherboard

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Finally, it's fourth dimension to hash out the component you lot're probably the most excited about. The graphics carte is easy to install. First, y'all'll need to remove an advisable number of expansion slot inserts from the dorsum of your instance to fit your graphics bill of fare. This will vary depending on which GPU you go with, but two is usually the safe number--our MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti takes up two. Once you unscrew and remove them, figure out which PCIe Limited slot you lot'll need to insert your bill of fare into, then flip its plastic notch at the far end of the slot downward to gear up for installation. At this signal, all you need to exercise is line up the graphics carte du jour with the PCIe Limited slot and so push button downwards until the plastic notch flips up and clicks. Again, you don't demand a lot of forcefulness to push it in, simply you will need to push the graphics carte into its slot until you become that click. Once you hear that, yous can screw your graphics card's mounting brackets into the example using the expansion slot'due south screws and holes.

At this signal, y'all need to plug your graphics menu into your power supply to requite information technology power. (Low-end graphics cards don't typically require extra power, so if that's what you're working with, you're good to skip this pace.) Take the appropriate cables included with your power supply and plug ane end into the graphics menu; then, plug the other into the PSU. It's okay if there are parts of the cables that get unused--just make sure every port on the graphics card has function of the cable plugged in.

Footstep 13: Install your OS

Parts used: USB thumb drive, instance

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Once you've ensured a tidy PC with all of your cables managed, you lot should connect an HDMI cable to your PC and plug the other terminate into a monitor. Plug the power cable into your PSU and the other end into an outlet; and so, flip the power switch on the dorsum of your PC to its "On" position. Printing the power button on your PC, and if it turns on, you're almost proficient to go.

At this point, you lot'll need another PC and a fast USB drive of at least 8GB--nosotros advise the SanDisk Extreme Pro. You'll then want to head over to Microsoft and follow the steps provided there. This will aid you lot create an installation device out of your USB drive, which you can plug into your PC before booting it up. Upon starting your PC, it should go directly into the Windows ten installation process. Follow the steps here and expect for information technology to install. One time you're washed, you lot should be practiced to get, though you will need to purchase a proper license for Windows 10 from Microsoft. If y'all exercise this from your new PC, it'll activate automatically. On this is all setup, you lot're adept to become, disallowment the installation of an optical drive, if you chose to get one.

If your PC doesn't turn on

If your PC doesn't kick, don't worry: It's certainly not the terminate of the world. There are a number of things that can crusade a PC to not boot upward on your outset try, and salve for any product malfunctions, they're easily solvable. Here are a few things you can exercise to troubleshoot your powerless PC.

Is the power supply plugged into an outlet?

This is a simple ready. Just plug your PC into an outlet, and you should be adept to become.

Is the power supply's switch turned on?

Make sure yous've flipped your PSU's switch into the 'On' position earlier powering on. This is an easily disregarded effect with a solution that's only as piece of cake.

Are your power supply cables seated in the motherboard properly?

This is the next affair you should double-bank check. Reconnecting the cables could exist what you demand to finally deliver power to your PC.

Are your case'due south cables plugged into your motherboard properly?

It'southward important to get this step right because if y'all push your case's ability push and its specific cable isn't plugged in correctly, it won't be able to kickoff your PC. Some motherboards come with a serial bus that you can plug your case'due south cables into before connecting to your motherboard.

Are your parts installed correctly?

This is the last thing to bank check every bit it tin can be the most time-consuming. Reconnecting your RAM and CPU or simply switching the RAM sticks into different slots could exist the solution you're looking for.

If all this fails, and so your components may be lacking.

Unfortunately, this tin can happen. Sometimes when building a PC, you realize that one of your components isn't working correctly. At this bespeak, yous'll need to contact the manufacturer of your part and inquire them nigh their return policy. The vast majority of big PC component manufacturers have return policies that will cover defective parts, so you don't take to worry. It just might have a piddling longer to enjoy your brand-new gaming figurer.

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