Essential components for a gaming PC focus on core hardware required for operation and optional peripherals that enhance performance and control. Main hardware required to build gaming PC include the PC case, CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, Storage, CPU cooler, and PSU. Optional components include high-refresh-rate monitors, gaming mice, and mechanical keyboards.
What Hardware Do You Need to Build a Gaming PC?
Listed below are the essential components to build a gaming PC.
- PC Case: PC case houses components, available in various sizes (E-ATX, Mid-Tower, Mini-Tower). Choose according to hardware, space needs, and aesthetic options such as glass panels.
- CPU (Central Processing Unit): CPU executes game logic and tasks. Multi-core processors with high clock speed are ideal for smooth gameplay and multitasking.
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Renders images and graphics; critical for visual performance. Opt for dedicated GPUs with high VRAM (e.g., 6GB) to enhance frame rates and game visuals.
- RAM (Memory): Provides short-term storage for quick data access by the CPU. Higher capacity RAM (at least 16GB) ensures smoother gameplay with fewer stutters.
- Motherboard: Connects and integrates all hardware components. Choose one with good expandability options (multiple RAM slots, SSD slots) and the latest PCIe interface for better performance.
- CPU Cooler: Maintains safe CPU temperatures to prevent overheating. Air coolers are cost-effective, while liquid coolers offer efficient cooling for high-end gaming rigs.
- PSU (Power Supply Unit): Distributes power to all PC components. Choose a PSU with sufficient wattage to handle the power demands of your CPU and GPU; modular PSUs help with cable management.
- Storage: Holds game files and data. SSDs or NVMe drives provide faster loading times than traditional HDDs; 500GB-1TB is recommended for casual gamers, more for larger game libraries.
1: PC Case
A PC case forms the foundation of a gaming PC, holding all the necessary hardware. PC cases come in sizes like E-ATX, Full Tower, Mid-Tower, and Mini-Tower.
Manufacturers offer cases in different styles and colors, with some featuring glass side panels to display your build.
Choose a case based on your setup needs. Large E-ATX or Full-Tower cases with glass panels work best for showcasing powerful builds. Mid-Tower or Mini-Tower cases fit budget-friendly setups or compact spaces, such as under a desk.
Verify component sizes before purchasing a PC case to avoid compatibility issues.
2: CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU, or processor, acts as the brain of a gaming PC. It executes the instructions that allow programs and games to run. A powerful CPU ensures smooth gaming performance and prevents bottlenecks.
Modern CPUs come with multiple cores and threads yielding optimal gaming experience. AAA games these days require you to have at least a six-core CPU for smoother gameplay. Having a multi-core CPU brings more freedom to play games and stream your gameplay simultaneously.
Apart from the multiple cores, the single-core performance of a CPU has a lot to do with the gaming performance. Single-core performance means measures the individual performance of each core to execute instructions sent over by gaming engine.
While writing this guide, there are two well-known CPU manufacturers, Intel and AMD. I prefer Intel CPUs as they are equipped with higher clock speed per core compared to their AMD counterparts.
3: GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
Building a gaming PC revolves around immersing oneself in stunning visuals and graphics. The role of the GPU or graphics card is to render the 2D and 3D images that you see on your monitor during gameplay.
The GPU renders 2D and 3D images on your monitor and directly impacts FPS in gaming. Nvidia and AMD dominate the GPU market. For modern AAA and eSports titles, choose a dedicated graphics card with at least 6GB of VRAM. GPUs use different VRAM types—GDDR3, GDDR5, GDDR6, and GDDR6X—with newer generations delivering better performance.
Buy a graphics card that can keep up with the pace of your CPU. Choosing a powerful graphics card and a weaker CPU can result in a bottleneck, resulting in choppy gaming performance.
4: RAM
RAM provides short-term memory for the CPU to access data quickly. It works with the processor to keep tasks running smoothly without stutter.
RAM comes in types like DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5, with each generation offering higher speeds. DDR5, for example, runs faster than DDR4. Capacity matters as well—the more RAM installed, the more data the CPU can handle at once.
For modern gaming, 16GB of RAM is the standard for smooth performance in AAA and eSports titles.
5: Motherboard
The motherboard connects all components of a gaming PC and allows them to communicate. It integrates the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage drives, and expansion cards.
Motherboards come in form factors such as Extended ATX, ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX, which correspond to PC case sizes. Choosing the right form factor ensures compatibility with your case.
When building a gaming PC, select a motherboard with enough RAM and SSD slots for future upgrades. Ensure it supports the latest PCI Express interface for maximum hardware performance.
Ensure that the motherboard’s socket type matches your CPU. Check the maximum RAM capacity and frequency support on the motherboard to avoid any incompatibility issues.
6: CPU Cooler
A gaming PC generates significant heat, especially from the CPU. A CPU cooler dissipates this heat and keeps the processor within a safe temperature range.
CPU coolers fall into two main types: air coolers and liquid (AIO) coolers. Air coolers offer effective, budget-friendly cooling, while liquid coolers provide stronger performance for high-end CPUs.
For standard gaming builds, an air cooler is usually sufficient. For extreme gaming PCs with top-tier processors, an AIO liquid cooler delivers better thermal control.
Ensure the cooler is properly mounted with even pressure across the CPU surface to prevent overheating. Check the clearance of the cooler in your PC case to make sure there is no obstruction.
7: PSU (Power Supply Unit)
The PSU powers every component of a gaming PC by supplying electricity to the motherboard, which distributes it to the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and expansion cards.
Since the GPU and CPU consume the most power, a high-wattage PSU is essential for stable performance. Undersupplying power can cause instability and reduce gaming performance.
Choose a reliable PSU brand for consistent power delivery. A modular or semi-modular PSU improves airflow and cable management by reducing clutter.
8: Storage
Modern games require significant storage, often exceeding 80GB per title. A gaming PC should have at least 500GB to 1TB of space, with larger libraries needing more than 1TB.
Storage type also affects performance. SSDs and NVMe drives load games much faster than traditional hard drives, reducing wait times and improving overall responsiveness.
What additional parts are needed to build a gaming PC?
The additional parts needed to build a gaming PC is discussed below.
Gaming Mouse
A gaming mouse provides extra features beyond a standard mouse, such as programmable buttons for in-game actions. It also offers higher DPI sensitivity, enabling faster and more precise movement with less effort.
Gaming Keyboard
Gaming keyboards are equipped with shortcuts or dedicated buttons to execute various actions during gameplay. Modern gaming keyboards boast responsive buttons and numerous customization options, providing gamers with enhanced control and flexibility.
Monitor
A gaming monitor produces high-quality images rendered by the GPU. A gaming monitor with a higher refresh rate (144Hz or 240Hz) is recommended for AAA gaming or eSports titles
Mosaab Jamal Ahmed brings 12+ years of PC Hardware experience to the table. His journey began in 1998 with a Pentium 1 PC, igniting his lifelong fascination with computer hardware and video games. Over the years, Mosaab has honed his skills in upgrading and building gaming PCs. He has built dream gaming machines for multiple brands and local businesses throughout his career. Mosaab’s areas of expertise are building custom gaming PCs, in-depth PC hardware analysis, and PC hardware reviews.