Your First Gaming PC Build
Building your own gaming PC is one of the most rewarding experiences in the hobby. Not only do you get exactly the machine you want, but you'll understand your hardware inside and out.
Budget Tiers
Entry Level ($600-$800)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 or Intel Core i5-14400F
- GPU: RTX 4060 or RX 7600
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- PSU: 550W 80+ Bronze
Mid-Range ($1000-$1500)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X or Intel Core i7-14700K
- GPU: RTX 4070 Super or RX 7800 XT
- RAM: 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD
- PSU: 750W 80+ Gold
High-End ($2000+)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D or Intel Core i9-14900K
- GPU: RTX 4080 Super or RX 7900 XTX
- RAM: 32-64GB DDR5
- Storage: 2TB+ NVMe SSD
- PSU: 850W+ 80+ Gold
Step-by-Step Build Process
- Install CPU into the motherboard
- Install RAM sticks
- Mount the M.2 SSD
- Install the motherboard into the case
- Mount the PSU
- Install the GPU
- Cable management (the fun part!)
- First boot and BIOS setup
Pro Tips
- Always build on a clean, static-free surface
- Don't forget to install I/O shield before the motherboard
- Cable management isn't just aesthetic — it improves airflow
- Update all drivers before installing games
- Consider future upgrade paths when choosing components
Software Setup
After your first successful POST, you'll want to:
- Install Windows or your OS of choice
- Update chipset and GPU drivers
- Install monitoring software (HWiNFO, MSI Afterburner)
- Set up your game launchers
- Run benchmarks to verify everything is working
Happy building!