There are two facts you probably know already about playing video games. First of all, if you want the ultimate gaming experience, you’re going to need to invest in a specialized gaming PC. And secondly, that the cost of buying one of these powerful, super fast rigs are often prohibitively expensive.

However, there is a way to reduce the cost of your next gaming PC  build it yourself. It’s possible even if you don’t understand the basics of how computers work, and a little knowledge can take you a long way to saving big bucks on a super quick, super fly system for your gaming hobby.
In this guide, we’re going to go through the essential components that you need to flesh out a fantastic PC gaming rig. Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know.

The CPU

The CPU is the beating heart of your system. In essence, the newest CPU you can buy, the better, although a little research into the benefits of Core i3, i5, and i7 is advisable before you select your weapon of choice. Something like Intel’s Core i5 should be more than enough to start you off, and should also be around for many years to come, which means you will be able to power new games for some time. You should be looking to spend around $200-250 on your CPU to ensure your gaming needs are met now and in the future. It’s also important to buy a CPU cooler, which may or may not come with your purchase. If not, expect to pay somewhere in the region of $30-40.

A motherboard

When you’re looking to buy custom gaming PC components, the next step is to choose a motherboard that is compatible with your CPU. And it’s here that you can start saving money right away – you don’t need a huge, expensive motherboard in the slightest. Simply put, there is very little difference between a motherboard that costs you $30-40 and one that costs 5-6 times that amount.

RAM

RAM is another important part of your build – random access memory is what helps your PC handle tasks, and the more you have, the faster it will operate. Most laptops and PCs you buy off the shelf these days come with a minimum of 4GB of RAM, and that’s the least you will need for gaming. But given that you only have to spend a little extra to get up to 16GB, it’s a much better option to go down this route. Expect to pay less than $100 to kit out your gaming rig with super fast abilities.

The graphics card

Now, the real investment: your graphics card. It’s worth having a long look at your options because your choice here will define whether or not you can play the latest and greatest games at full settings. There’s a huge difference in playing something at 1080p on your PC and 720p – or lower. Our tip is to go for something like the Nvidia GTX 1080, which should be powerful enough to give you super sharp graphics for your games for many years to come. It’s an expensive piece of kit – over $600 at the last count – but it’s worth looking at if you want the full, immersive, PC gaming experience.

The case

Part of the reason why off the shelf gaming rigs are so expensive is down to the design quality of their cases. And while they look great – take Alienware, for example – you have to question whether they are necessary or not. As long as your tower is big enough to hold all your critical components and robust enough to withstand a little rough handling, there’s no reason to spend wildly. You can pick up some great bargains on the used market, too – from as little as $30-40.

The extras

SSD drives are essential for storing your games and other media. Also, it’s worth investing in a few fans to keep your rig nice and cool – gaming is an intensive activity, and your PC will heat up pretty quickly without cooling aids. Another issue to consider is the power socket. Here, it’s worth investing a little extra to give your gaming experience a little solidity and stability. A poor quality power supply could end up causing burn damage to your components. Finally, don’t forget about getting a keyboard and games mouse. Again, you don’t have to spend a fortune, just find a set that you feel comfy with.

So there you have it. As the years go by, you can upgrade your rig as and when you want, and for less than $1,000, you will get far more for your money than you would get buying off the shelf.