What’s the Ultimate PC Custom Build for Gamers?
If you’re a gamer, you know that having the right gear can make or break your gaming experience. That’s why more and more gamers are turning to custom PC builds to get the performance and experience they want. But what makes for the ultimate PC custom build for gamers? Let’s break it down.
The Processor: Intel vs. AMD
The heart of any good gaming build is the processor, and there are two main players in the game: Intel and AMD. Intel has been the go-to for gamers for years, but in recent years, AMD has made a comeback with their Ryzen processors. While Intel still holds the crown for the highest-end gaming performance, AMD offers excellent value for the money, and their Ryzen processors offer more cores and threads for improved multitasking performance. Ultimately, it comes down to how much you’re willing to spend and what your priorities are.
Our Pick: Intel Core i9-11900K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
The Graphics Card: NVIDIA vs. AMD
Next up is the graphics card, and once again, there are two main players: NVIDIA and AMD. NVIDIA has long held the crown for the best gaming GPUs, with their GeForce lineup consistently performing better than AMD’s Radeon lineup. However, AMD has recently made significant improvements to their GPUs, with their latest Radeon RX 6000 series offering fantastic performance and value. Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of performance you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend.
Our Pick: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
The Motherboard: Brands and Features
The motherboard is where everything connects, so it’s essential to choose a reliable and feature-packed board. There are plenty of brands to choose from, including ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASRock, among others. When it comes to features, you’ll want to look for things like PCIe 4.0 support, Wi-Fi 6E, Thunderbolt 4, and plenty of USB ports. You’ll also want to make sure the board supports the processor and graphics card you choose.
Our Pick: ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero or MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge WiFi
The Memory: Speed and Capacity
Memory, or RAM, is critical for gaming builds, as it affects not only gaming performance but also multitasking and productivity. When it comes to speed, you’ll want to aim for at least DDR4-3200, but higher speeds can offer improved performance. As for capacity, 16GB is the minimum for gaming, but 32GB or even 64GB can offer improved multitasking. It’s also essential to choose memory that matches your motherboard’s memory specifications for maximum compatibility.
Our Pick: G.SKILL Trident Z Royal RGB 32GB DDR4-3600
The Storage: Speed and Capacity
Storage is another critical component for gaming builds, as games are only getting bigger and more demanding. The main options are traditional hard drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). While HDDs are cheaper, SSDs offer significantly faster read and write speeds, which can make a big difference in loading times for games. When it comes to capacity, it’s a good idea to have both an SSD and an HDD, with the OS and frequently played games on the SSD and less frequently played games and other files on the HDD.
Our Pick: WD Black SN850 1TB NVMe SSD and Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD
The Case and Cooling: Style and Performance
The case is what houses all your components, and while it’s not as critical as other components, it’s still important to choose one that fits your style and performance needs. There are plenty of options, from flashy RGB-lit cases to more subdued ones, and a good case can offer plenty of room for custom cooling solutions. Speaking of cooling, it’s essential to choose a good cooling solution for your CPU and GPU, as overheating can lead to reduced performance and even damage.
Our Pick: Lian-Li PC-O11 Dynamic and Corsair Hydro Series H150i PRO RGB
The Power Supply: Wattage and Efficiency
Finally, you’ll need a power supply to power all your components. The wattage you’ll need depends on the components you choose, but a good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 750W to allow for future upgrades. As for efficiency, you’ll want to choose a power supply that’s at least 80 Plus Gold certified for maximum efficiency and reliability.
Our Pick: EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G5 80 Plus Gold
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it: our ultimate PC custom build for gamers. Of course, everyone’s needs and preferences are different, so feel free to mix and match components based on your needs and budget. Whether you go with our picks or choose your own, a well-built custom PC can offer unparalleled performance and gaming experience. And don’t forget to have fun building and customizing your PC – after all, that’s what gaming is all about!
Image Credit: Pexels