Priority Hardware chart for Gaming PC
An average PC can be used for a variety of purposes, but a gaming PC is configured exclusively for gaming. There are components you can’t do without in order to achieve the best experience during gaming. The top priority hardware for a gaming PC is the Graphics card, the processor, and a fast SSD drive. You also need a good gaming monitor for the best gaming experience.
This means you should get the best your money can buy when it comes to these two pieces of hardware. The graphics card is responsible for rendering the game while the SSD speeds up game boot time and data processing. Every other component follows in order of importance. We have selected the components below for a budget gaming PC. However, you may also check out our PC Build Guides page for other build options.
What you need to build a budget gaming PC
- Gaming PC Components
- Anti-static wrist band
- Screwdriver
- Some patience
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Best Budget Gaming PC Components
Since we are focusing solely on how to build a budget gaming PC, we will limit the components to budget gaming PC components. Let’s look at the major components you need and why you need them.
Processor
This is the brain of every computer, all the way from small wristband trackers to huge mainframe supercomputers. Processors are what coordinate every activity on the PC, that’s why they are called processors – they process commands.
A computer game, such as Battlefield, places a huge demand on the processing power of the PC. That’s why you need a fitting processor to be able to play your favorite titles effortlessly. When it comes to processor manufacturers, there are 2 major players – Intel and AMD. Intel processors may be pricier when compared to similar processor specs of AMD. It’s just a matter of choice for you.
Processors are classified according to their core count, i.e., the number of processing units they feature. There are multi-core and single-core processors. The difference is in the way they handle raw data. Multi-core processors simply split the data among the cores simultaneously, while single-core processors handle the task without splitting the data.
Ultimately, multi-core processors are way faster when it comes to processing time. When buying a processor to build a budget gaming PC, bear in mind the following.
Guidelines for buying a budget processor for Gaming
- Cooling Options: Be mindful of processors that require liquid cooling. Check the manual that comes with your processor for instructions on the cooling option you need.
- Core Count: Some games perform better on single-core processor PCs than on multi-core processor rigs. This is because such games have not been optimized for multi-core processors. The core count doesn’t necessarily result in better performance – this means a single-core processor may perform better than a multi-core processor, all things being equal. Therefore, don’t get carried away by core count and end up buying a processor you may not utilize fully.
- Power Requirement: Take note of the power requirements, technically called TDP (Thermal Design Power). This is the rated power consumption of the processor. You should take note of this because it can influence the type of cooling kit you might need. Generally, processors that are rated up to 90 watts can run on air cooling. In this case, you need a fan.
If your processor’s TDP is over 100 watts, then you must install a liquid cooler. The Corsair Hydro series is very good for the job. (More on liquid cooling shortly). When it comes to processor power efficiency, Intel processors are better compared to AMD. This means they do not overheat easily and can rely on fans for cooling, except for the high-end i9 Series or x series processors. On the other hand, AMD’s FX series of processors are probably the worst at power efficiency, as they can get very hot and always require liquid cooling. - VR Readiness: If you want to do VR (Virtual Reality) gaming, then look for processors that support VR. VR provides a richer experience for gamers, allowing them to practically step into the game. Also, bear in mind that your graphics card must be VR-ready.
- Price: When it comes to price, there has been something like an eternal price war between Intel and AMD, the microprocessor manufacturing rivals. Generally, Intel chips are way more expensive compared to similarly specced competing AMD models. Just know that Intel processors are engineered better for multimedia processing and generally have superior power management. AMD opted for lower price margins to stay competitive, and with their recent line of Ryzen processors, they have somewhat equalized the odds.
- Integrated Graphics: It is commonplace nowadays for processor manufacturers to include graphics processing units in the processor core. This enables the PC to run some games and perform some graphics-related functions. If you are buying a processor and don’t have the funds for a dedicated GPU, you can get by with a processor with an integrated GPU. Just know that you can’t run some games which require a discreet GPU.