{"id":7091,"date":"2023-06-15T10:32:34","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T10:32:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/?p=7091"},"modified":"2024-07-09T07:19:24","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T07:19:24","slug":"how-to-build-your-own-gaming-pc-a-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/blog\/how-to-build-your-own-gaming-pc-a-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build Your Own Gaming PC: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any serious gamer knows that the right hardware can make all the difference. If you\u2019re looking to step up your gameplay, you know that the natural next step is to get a real gaming PC. It\u2019s one of the best ways to optimize your performance\u2014and even more so when you build yours.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there\u2019s no shortage of prebuilt gaming PCs on retail, they can\u2019t compare to building your own. A custom-built gaming PC means you have full control over its specs so that you can deck it out for high-performance play. But of course, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Naturally, as awesome as it sounds, building a gaming PC is complex and even expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is, that\u2019s exactly what this guide is all about. Here\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/bundles\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">everything you need<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to build your own gaming PC, with all the nuts and bolts. Check out our complete assembly guide, and take your new, custom-built gaming PC for a spin with the best, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/internet\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cheapest internet from Comwave<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before You Build: Tools, Supplies, and Parts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you ready to get your hands dirty? Building a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/blog\/7-safety-security-tips-for-online-gaming\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gaming<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> PC can be a daunting task, but there\u2019s no denying just how rewarding it is to use a computer that\u2019s built according to your exact specification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To start, you need to have the right tools and parts on-hand. And while it sounds very difficult especially when you\u2019re not familiar with the internal workings of a computer, don\u2019t let that discourage you. The truth is, the basic principle isn\u2019t much different than putting together self-assembly furniture, so it\u2019s helpful to get into that mindset.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"width: 100%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tools and Supplies<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what you need to start:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Workspace:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Choose a large surface, such as a table to work on. Make sure you stand on bare floors without a carpet to prevent electrostatic discharge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Screwdrivers: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, get your magnetic screwdrivers ready. You\u2019ll rely on them a lot to put the parts together and prevent screws from falling into the PC case. For best results, get a Phillips #2 screwdriver, and have a #0 one as a back-up too.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flashlight: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use your smartphone or an actual flashlight to see clearly when installing some cables and components.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Thermal paste: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This helps regulate the CPU\u2019s temperature while in use, so it doesn\u2019t overheat. Some CPU coolers already have thermal paste applied, but it\u2019s always a good idea to have a back-up in place.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Flash drive:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Get an 8 Gb flash drive or larger for the installer of your operating system (OS).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gaming PC Parts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, get the PC\u2019s parts ready. Now, don\u2019t worry if these hardware terms sound intimidating and some are more familiar than others. We\u2019ll go over what each part does, so you know exactly what makes up your gaming PC:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>GPU:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The graphics processing unit or another name for the graphics card which displays images on your PC. For <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/blog\/7-ways-to-reduce-lag-when-gaming-online\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high-performance gaming<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019ll need a powerful graphics card, such as those from Nvidia or AMD.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>CPU:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The central processing unit or processor, responsible for all processes and calculations on your PC. For reliable performance, choose one from Intel or AMD.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Motherboard:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Where all of the components are installed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>SATA:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A type of connection, like USB, used in hard drives and SSDs for transferring data.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>PCIe:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Another type of connection typically used for graphics cards and M.2 SSDs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>NVMe:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Another type of connection supported by M.2 SSDs, allowing for much faster saving and access to data.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>M.2 SSD: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A part that provides storage space using any of the 3 types of connections above.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>RAM:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Random Access Memory, which stores data that is processed by the CPU. The more RAM you have and the more powerful your processor is, the faster your PC performs, which is the most important aspect of a gaming PC.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cooling system:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This protects your CPU from overheating.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>PSU:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Also known as your PC\u2019s power supply.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>OS: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your operating system. For gaming PCs today, Windows 10 is the standard, although some gamers opt for Linux.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assembly: Steps for Putting Together your Gaming PC<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you have all the tools and parts ready, it\u2019s time to put it all together and start building your gaming PC. You\u2019ll see that all of these components are designed to fit together, so as long as they\u2019re compatible, it should be easy to assemble your gaming PC.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; margin-left: 20px;\">1. Prep the case<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step in assembling your gaming PC is getting the case ready and installing standoffs or small brass spacers that match up with the screw holes on the motherboard. These prevent the motherboard from touching the metal in the case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The motherboard comes with a cover called an I\/O shield. Line up the cover properly and snap it on, making sure that it\u2019s placed over the external connections. Make sure to handle the motherboard with care as it is essentially a big, delicate circuit board. When screwing in the standoffs, tighten them just enough so they\u2019re not loose, but not overly tight either to prevent the board from bending.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; margin-left: 20px;\">2. Install the RAM<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, install the memory or RAM by pushing open the tabs on either side of the RAM slot of the motherboard. Make sure that the memory is installed in the right direction, then once it\u2019s lined up with its slot, push down until you hear a click so all the tabs are closed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; margin-left: 20px;\">3. Install the CPU<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike CPUs in the past, modern models don\u2019t typically have pins. This means the connector pins are on the motherboard itself, making the processor easier to install while preventing damage to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, keep in mind that the process may vary slightly depending on the exact model of your CPU and motherboard, but the installation process looks something like this:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlock the CPU bar.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open the CPU door and place the processor in the right direction using the marked arrows for guidance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, close the door and make sure that the bar is locked.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount the heatsink by connecting it to the 4 holes closest to the CPU socket. You can use screws or locking or twisting pins to do this. Don\u2019t forget to use a pea-sized amount of thermal paste to mount the heatsink.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plug the CPU cooler into the motherboard.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; margin-left: 20px;\">4. Finish up: install the GPU and everything else<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the base parts are done\u2014the motherboard is mounted and the case is ready to go\u2014you\u2019re ready to install everything else. You\u2019ve finished the hard parts. Everything else should be easy to install, so just follow these steps:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connect the GPU through the PCIe slot. But before you do, make sure to remove expansion coverings so the GPU clicks into place properly and can be secured with screws once installed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re using an M.2 drive, install it on the dedicated slot on your motherboard. Use the #0 screwdriver to secure it in place, but remember not to over-tighten.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check if the proper cables have been included with your PSU. If not, use the adapter that came with the video card box. Similarly, make sure that your hard drive or SSD came with power and SATA or data cables.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connect the components to the power supply. Match the plug to the connection for each component.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, install the fans by matching the cable to the indicated input on the motherboard.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And there you have it\u2014if you\u2019ve made it to the last step, you have built your very own gaming PC! All that\u2019s left to do is to fire up your gaming PC. Plug in the power supply and press the power button. If you did everything right, you should see the BIOS screen upon start-up, so you can install your OS.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Troubleshooting Tips<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what happens if your computer doesn\u2019t turn on or you\u2019re getting error messages? Don\u2019t fret just yet because we\u2019ll help you try these easy fixes, so you can start using your gaming PC.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Error Messages<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check the message displayed and go to the BIOS menu to find the right settings. If you\u2019re unsure where to look, online forums are your friend. Chances are, someone else has experienced the same issue, so find out what they did to resolve it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PC Not Turning On<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your gaming PC doesn\u2019t turn on, there are a number of possible reasons for that. Other than actual product malfunctions, they\u2019re all easy fixes. To start, check the power supply to make sure it\u2019s plugged in and the power supply itself is switched on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, check the power supply cables in the motherboard to make sure that they\u2019re properly connected. You may have to disconnect then reconnect them.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And finally, check each part to make sure that it\u2019s connected properly. It\u2019s a tedious process that involves reconnecting your RAM and CPU, or even moving the RAM sticks into different slots, but every step is worth a try.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, if all else fails, it\u2019s a sign that the components themselves are defective. They may have shipped this way or got damaged while you were building the PC. If this is the case, return the item to the manufacturer or store, and get it exchanged right away, so you can get back to starting up your brand-new gaming PC.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experience Gaming Like a Pro with Comwave Home Internet<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And there you have it\u2014you\u2019re now the proud owner and builder of your very own gaming PC. It takes a serious commitment to get this done, so don\u2019t forget to complete the job with the best, cheapest <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/internet\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home internet from Comwave<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t settle for anything less than the fastest <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/blog\/do-i-need-to-upgrade-my-internet-speed\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">internet speeds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the cheapest prices. Enjoy gaming without frustrating lags and delays, so you can advance to the next level and win, all without breaking a swear. Finish your setup with the best internet speed for high-performance gameplay, only from Comwave.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to be the best gamer you can be? For more tips on improving your gaming experience, browse the best Comwave internet plans built for high-performance gaming, at the cheapest prices.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Any serious gamer knows that the right hardware can make all the difference. If you\u2019re looking to step up your gameplay, you know that the natural next step is to get a real gaming PC. It\u2019s one of the best ways to optimize your performance\u2014and even more so when you build yours. While there\u2019s no&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/blog\/how-to-build-your-own-gaming-pc-a-step-by-step-guide\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How to Build Your Own Gaming PC: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7518,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7091"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7091"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7091\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13839,"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7091\/revisions\/13839"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.comwave.net\/residential\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}