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Do you want to build your own powerful gaming PC, a powerful workstation, or a reliable office PC and have to no idea what to choose from the enormous range of components available? Read on for some handy tips on how to choose the right PC components. To make things even clearer, we will also show you some examples of PC systems built for specific purposes.
ContinueA full-featured PC consists of a wide range of PC components. Not sure what you need? The basic building block of any computer is a motherboard equipped with a processor, system memory, and a graphics card. All this is then inserted into a PC case with a PSU, or you can buy a power supply unit separately. Then add a hard drive for your data. Depending on what you need, you can also purchase a number of additional accessories for your new computer.
The motherboard is the most important part of any PC and basically the foundation for all the other components. Pay extra attention to the type of socket on the motherboard, as the socket determines what processors you will be able to install. Motherboards are available in several different formats:
The processor is the brain of the whole computer. Its job is to perform the necessary computational tasks. When building a PC, you need to choose a processor socket compatible with your motherboard. Depending on the purpose of your new PC, you may also have to consider the number of CPU cores.
For more information about processors, please see our What is a Processor? article.
RAM supports the processor with computing tasks. Its capacity determines how many operations the operating system is capable of performing at the same time. So, how much RAM do you need?
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DDR3 or DDR4? For low-end or mid-range systems, we recommend installing DDR3 memory modules; if you want to have a powerful, high-performance PC, make sure to choose DDR4. Before buying, always check the type of memory supported by your motherboard and processor to avoid any unpleasant surprises later on.
The graphics card is a must for any gaming PC, but it can also be used in workstations, including powerful office and multimedia PCs. The cards can be divided into four categories, according to their designation:
You don’t need anything fancy if you plan to build a PC purely for standard office work. A graphics card integrated on the motherboard or processor will be enough.
Hard disks are used to store and read data. The main two categories you will encounter are classic HDDs and fast SSDs.
High-capacity solid state drives are also available. Unfortunately, they are still quite expensive.
Sound cards are designed for users who like to listen to music in high quality. In most cases, however, an integrated sound card will be enough - these integrated cards are usually 8-channel. Music and audio enthusiasts should consider getting a powerful sound card, suitable for work with various audio software and gaming.
When choosing a PC case, you must choose one with an interior large enough to fit all the required components. PC cases can be divided into several categories:
Some computer cases come with the PSU already included. With others, they need to be purchased separately.
The PSU should be selected with respect to the overall performance of other PC components in the system you are building. You can use this power supply calculator to calculate the power draw of your new PC. For a modest office system, you will need a PSU with a performance of up to 350W; if you are building a demanding gaming PC or a workstation, make sure to choose an 800W PSU or higher.
The cooling system maintains the optimum working temperature of PC components even when your PC is under a heavy load. Unless you are building a gaming PC or a powerful workstation, you can settle for the basic cooling you get with your other components. For powerful workstations and high-end gaming computers, however, you should probably consider purchasing some extra powerful fans or even a water cooling system – the most effective PC cooling type available.
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When selecting individual PC components, you can also consult our detailed guide How to Build Your Own PC.
If you are looking for some tips and ideas about specific PC types, check out our custom-built Alza PC assemblies.
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