Have you decided to take the reins and build your next computer yourself? Congratulations! You are about to embark on a fascinating, rewarding and above all – one that will ensure that you get exactly the computer you always wanted, customized to your needs and budget. Whether you are a gamer looking for uncompromising performance, a content creator in need of a powerful workstation, or simply want to understand in depth how this magic works, this guide was written for you.
In recent years, building a computer has gone from a task for the savvy to an accessible and popular hobby. Entire communities have sprung up around the subject, and knowledge has become more accessible and clear than ever. In B-Gamer’s comprehensive guide, we will accompany you every step of the way – from choosing the right components, through physical assembly to installing the operating system and final testing. We will speak in clear language, explain the important concepts and share tips from experience that will save you time, money and frustration.
Why even build a computer yourself? The advantages that beat any ready-made computer off the shelf
Before we dive into the world of components and screwdrivers, it’s important to understand what makes building a computer such an attractive option:
Perfect customization: This is the biggest advantage of all. You choose every component in the system. Want a powerful graphics card for gaming but don’t need a huge amount of storage? No problem. Need a processor with many cores for video editing but are satisfied with a basic graphics card? The choice is yours. You build a computer that meets your specific needs exactly, without paying for components you don’t need.
Better value for money: In most cases, buying the parts separately and assembling them will be cheaper than buying a brand-name computer with the same specifications. You save the assembly and branding costs of the big companies, and you can invest the money you save on higher-quality components. If you’ve wondered how much it costs to build a computer, the answer is that it is completely flexible and depends on your choices.
Full control over the quality of components: When you buy a ready-made computer, you don’t always know the quality of the power supply, motherboard, or RAM. Sometimes, manufacturers save on the “less visible” components. With self-assembly, you choose specific manufacturers and models, and know exactly what goes into your case. Knowledge and future upgrades: The assembly process teaches you a lot about the structure of the computer. This knowledge is invaluable. In the future, when you want to upgrade the graphics card or add more memory, you will know exactly how to do it yourself easily and confidently. This is the perfect foundation for anyone thinking of upgrading an existing computer.
Why even build a computer yourself? The advantages that beat any ready-made computer off the shelf
Before we dive into the world of components and screwdrivers, it’s important to understand what makes building a computer such an attractive option:
Perfect customization: This is the biggest advantage of all. You choose every component in the system. Want a powerful graphics card for gaming but don’t need a huge amount of storage? No problem. Need a processor with many cores for video editing but are satisfied with a basic graphics card? The choice is yours. You build a computer that meets your specific needs exactly, without paying for components you don’t need.
Better value for money: In most cases, buying the parts separately and assembling them will be cheaper than buying a brand-name computer with the same specifications. You save the assembly and branding costs of the big companies, and you can invest the money you save on higher-quality components. If you’ve wondered how much it costs to build a computer, the answer is that it is completely flexible and depends on your choices.
Full control over the quality of components: When you buy a ready-made computer, you don’t always know the quality of the power supply, motherboard, or RAM. Sometimes, manufacturers save on the “less visible” components. With self-assembly, you choose specific manufacturers and models, and know exactly what goes into your case. Knowledge and future upgrades: The assembly process teaches you a lot about the structure of the computer. This knowledge is invaluable. In the future, when you want to upgrade the graphics card or add more memory, you will know exactly how to do it yourself easily and confidently. This is the perfect foundation for anyone thinking of upgrading an existing computer.
The Planning Phase: Choosing the Right Components for Your New PC
This is the most important step in the process. Making the right choices here will ensure a stable, powerful, and compatible system. Don’t worry, we’ll go into detail about each component and what it does.
- The CPU – the brain of the operation
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the component that performs all the calculations and commands. Choosing a processor depends on your main uses. The two main players in the market are Intel and AMD.
For gamers: Today, both Intel and AMD offer excellent processors for gaming. Intel’s Core i5/i7/i9 series and AMD’s Ryzen 5/7/9 are popular choices. Look out for AMD’s X3D processors, which offer additional cache memory (3D V-Cache) that boosts gaming performance, and Intel’s K-series processors, which allow for overclocking for performance enthusiasts.
For content creators: If you edit video, work with heavy graphics software, or run simulations, you will benefit greatly from a processor with a large number of cores and threads. AMD’s Ryzen 9 series and Intel’s Core i9 series excel at these tasks.
B-Gamer tip: Check compatibility! Make sure the processor you choose is compatible with the motherboard socket.
- Motherboard – the central nervous system
The motherboard is the platform to which all components connect and through which they communicate with each other. The choice of motherboard depends on the processor you have chosen and the features you need.
Chipset: Each processor series has compatible chipsets. For example, the latest generation Intel processors have chipsets like Z790 or B760, and AMD has X670 and B650. The more expensive chipsets (Z and X series) usually offer more overclocking options, faster connections, and a stronger power delivery system (VRM), which is important for stability with powerful processors.
Board size (Form Factor): Common sizes are ATX (the large and standard), Micro-ATX (medium), and Mini-ITX (small). The size of the board will affect the number of connections and the size of the case you need.
Connections and ports: Check how many USB connections you need, whether you need built-in Wi-Fi, and what storage connections (SATA, M.2) the board offers.
- Random Access Memory (RAM) – Short-term memory
RAM (Random Access Memory) temporarily stores data that the computer is actively using. The more RAM you have, the more programs your computer can run at the same time and handle heavy tasks more smoothly.
Capacity: For gaming and general use, 16GB is currently considered the recommended standard, but 32GB is becoming increasingly popular and ensures that the computer is ready for future games. For content creators and working with large files, 32GB is the minimum, and 64GB is a good choice.
Speed and timings: The most common standard today is DDR5, but DDR4 is still relevant in some systems. The speed of the memory (measured in MHz) and its timings (CAS Latency or CL) affect performance. Look for the best balance between high speed and low timings. It is important to make sure that the memory supports profiles such as Intel XMP or AMD EXPO for easy activation of full speed through the BIOS.
- Graphics card (GPU) – the beating heart of gaming
The graphics card (Graphics Processing Unit) is responsible for processing and displaying the image on the screen. This is the most important component for how to build a gaming computer.
Major Players: NVIDIA (with its GeForce RTX series) and AMD (with its Radeon RX series) are the main competitors.
Resolution Choice:
For 1080p gaming, cards like the GeForce RTX 4060 or Radeon RX 7600 will provide an excellent experience.
For 1440p (QHD), consider cards like the RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT.
For 4K gaming, you’ll need the big guns, like the RTX 4080, RTX 4090, or RX 7900 XTX.
- Storage – The home of your files
SSD (Solid State Drive): Nowadays, it’s a must to install your operating system and main programs on an SSD. It’s significantly faster than regular hard drives (HDD) and dramatically improves your computer’s loading times and responsiveness.
NVMe M.2 SSD: This is the fastest type of SSD, which connects directly to the motherboard. Highly recommended for the main drive.
HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Hard drives still offer large storage capacity at a low price. They are great for storing large files, movies, music and games that you don’t care about loading at lightning speed.
Relevant internal link: Read more about the differences and choosing the right drive in our guide to SSD drives for your computer. - Power Supply (PSU) – the fuel of the system
The power supply (Power Supply Unit) is a critical component whose importance is often underestimated. A quality power supply will provide stable and clean voltage to all components and protect them from voltage drops.
Wattage: Calculate the power consumption of the main components (mainly the processor and graphics card) and add a safety margin of about 20-30%. Many websites (like PCPartPicker) can calculate the recommended power for you.
Efficiency rating (80 Plus): Look for suppliers with at least an 80 Plus Bronze rating. Higher ratings (Gold, Platinum) indicate higher efficiency and less energy waste.
Modularity: Modular power supplies allow you to disconnect unused cables, which greatly contributes to aesthetics and better airflow in the case.
- CPU Cooler – Keep Cool
Although most processors come with a basic cooler (Stock Cooler), upgrading to a third-party cooler is almost always recommended, especially for powerful processors and gaming. It will allow for lower temperatures, quieter operation, and potential for overclocking.
Air Cooler: A reliable, simple, and affordable solution. Consists of a heatsink and fan. High-quality air coolers can compete in performance with many water coolers, and are considered more reliable over time.
Water Cooling (AIO – All in One): A closed system that uses liquid to transfer heat from the processor to the radiator. Water coolers often offer a cleaner aesthetic around the CPU area and can offer superior cooling performance, especially in models with large radiators (240mm, 280mm, 360mm). They are ideal for extremely hot CPUs and small cases where airflow is limited.
Summary: You are the creator of your own machine
Building a computer is an empowering experience. It gives you not only a powerful machine that is customized to you, but also a deep understanding of the technology that powers our digital world. Follow this guide, take your time, don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek advice, and before long you’ll be looking proudly at the computer you built with your own hands. This is just the beginning – a whole world of upgrades, customizations, and endless possibilities is open to you. Welcome to the club.