Buying a gaming PC is an exciting investment, but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t know what eveything means. With so many components, configurations, and features to consider, it’s important to make informed decisions to ensure you get the best value for your money. Whether you’re a casual gamer or aiming for the best high-end performance, here’s what you need to know before buying a gaming PC from CyberPowerPC.
Table of Contents
1. Define Your Gaming Needs and Budget
The best place to start in your purchase journey is deciding on a budget. How much do you want to spend? The types of games you want to play can help define what Different genres of games have varying hardware requirements:
- Esports titles like Valorant or Counter Strike can run well even on lower end PCs.
- AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty , Starfield, and Silent Hill 2 (Remake) demand higher-end GPUs and CPUs for smooth gameplay, especially at high resolutions with ray tracing enabled.
Set a realistic budget based on your gaming goals – Here a some price buckets of where you can expect to spend.
- Entry-level gaming PCs: $700 – $1,200
- Mid-tier builds: $1,300 – $2,000
- High-end or 4K gaming PCs: $2,000+
2. Understanding the Core Components
The performance of a gaming PC is determined by several key components. Here’s a breakdown of the essentials:
- Graphics Card (GPU): This is the heart of a gaming PC and the central drive for gaming performance. For 1080p gaming, cards like NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4060 or AMD’s Radeon RX 7600 are solid choices. For 1440p or 4K gaming, higher-end models like the RTX 4070 Ti or RTX 4080 and Radeon RX 7700 XT or 7800XT will be needed.
- Processor (CPU): The CPU handles tasks beyond graphics, such as game physics and AI. An AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 is good for most games, but more demanding games may benefit from a Ryzen 7 or Ryzen 9 or Intel Core i7 or i9.
- RAM: At least 16GB of RAM is recommended for modern gaming, though 32GB and above can be a good choice to future-proof your system or if you use any RAM intensive programs like graphic design software or video editing.
- Storage: SSDs significantly reduce load times compared to traditional HDDs, and have widely been adopted as the standard choice for storage in modern gaming PCs. Many gamers opt for at least a 1TB SSD to install games and a secondary HDD for additional storage.
3. Consider Future-Proofing and Upgradability
Technology advances quickly, so it’s wise to think about future-proofing your build. Look for systems with:
- Expandable RAM slots for future memory upgrades.
- Extra PCIe slots to add various kinds of expansions cards or extra SSD storage.
- Modular power supplies (PSUs) that accommodate future hardware upgrades.
CyberPowerPC gaming desktops are designed with customization in mind, allowing you to easily swap out or upgrade components as new technology emerges.
4. Cooling and Airflow are Crucial
Gaming PCs generate heat, especially under heavy loads. Ensure your system has proper cooling to avoid throttling extend component life, and improve performance.
- Air cooling with case fans is sufficient for most builds.
- Liquid cooling may be required for high-end systems or overclocked CPUs. This can be done with an AIO cooler or full liquid cooling loop.
Choose cases with good airflow and dust filters to keep your system clean and cool.
5. Don’t Overlook the Display, Peripherals
A high-performance gaming PC deserves a good monitor and peripherals to complete the experience and get the most out of the expensive hardware you just dropped your hard earned dollars on. Consider these elements:
- Monitor: Match the monitor resolution and refresh rate to your GPU’s capabilities (e.g., 1080p/1440p/144Hz or 4K/60Hz+). For gaming you’ll definitely want a monitor with a higher refresh rate. Read our guide to finding a good gaming monitor to learn more.
- Keyboard and Mouse: Mechanical keyboards and responsive gaming mice improve accuracy and comfort during gameplay. There’s tons of choices out there so find something that feels comfortable to game on for extended durations. Here is what to look for in a gaming keyboard. Also how about a shameless plug for our excellent CK60 premium mechanical gaming keyboard.
- Audio: Quality headsets or speakers enhance immersion in your story driven games or give you a competitive edge in your favorite competitive titles.
6. Pre-Built vs. Custom-Built Gaming PCs
When buying a gaming PC, you have two primary options with us:
- Pre-built systems: These are ready-to-use PCs configured by ourselves. They save time, come with warranties, and ensure component compatibility. They ship out quicker because we keep an inventory of them on hand. You can also purchase our prebuilt gaming PCs at a variety of retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart.
- Custom builds: Customizing your gaming PC on our website offers greater customization but requires more time, effort, and technical knowledge to decide on components. Our website makes it easy to order a custom build and pick each component from the most reliable brands in PC gaming. Start with a configuration and customize to your hearts content.
If you prefer convenience with room for upgrades, a pre-built gaming PC from CyberPowerPC offers the best of both worlds, with options to modify specs during the purchase process.
7. Warranty and Support Matter
Buying from a reputable brand ensures peace of mind with warranties and technical support. CyberPowerPC offers competitive warranties and customer support, so you can game without worrying about hardware issues. Make sure to read the warranty terms and return policies before finalizing your purchase.
A gaming PC is a significant investment, and understanding your needs, budget, and the core components is essential. Consider whether you want a pre-built or custom-built system, pay attention to cooling and future-proofing, and don’t forget to factor in peripherals for a complete gaming setup. By taking these factors into account, you’ll ensure that your new gaming PC delivers the performance and experience you’re looking for.