A custom-built gaming PC lets you spend your money where it makes the biggest difference, and makes future upgrades much easier than with most pre-built machines. Whether you plan to build it yourself or have it built for you, a little planning goes a long way.
Start with what you want to play
Think about the games you play, the screen resolution you use and the frame rate you’re after. Competitive games at 1080p need very different hardware from the latest big releases at 1440p or 4K. Set a budget with this in mind, and remember to include Windows, a monitor, keyboard, mouse and headset if you need them.
The parts that matter most
- Graphics card. For gaming, this has the biggest effect on performance, so it usually deserves the largest share of the budget.
- Processor (CPU). Choose one that’s balanced with your graphics card, so neither holds the other back.
- Memory (RAM). 16GB is a sensible minimum for gaming today, and 32GB gives room for streaming or heavy multitasking.
- Storage. A fast NVMe SSD makes games load quickly. 1TB fills up fast with modern games, so plan for more if you can.
- Power supply (PSU). Don’t cut corners here. A good-quality unit with some spare capacity protects every other part.
- Case and cooling. Good airflow keeps everything cooler and quieter, and helps your parts last longer.
Check everything fits and works together
Compatibility catches out a lot of first-time builders. Make sure the processor matches the motherboard socket, the memory type (DDR4 or DDR5) suits the motherboard, the graphics card fits the length of the case, and the power supply has the right connectors. Checking these before you buy saves expensive returns.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Buying a cheap, unbranded power supply
- Pairing a powerful graphics card with a much older processor, or the other way round
- Forgetting to budget for a Windows licence
- Installing memory in the wrong slots or forgetting to turn on its rated speed (XMP or EXPO) in the BIOS
- Poor cable management that blocks airflow
Upgrade instead of starting again?
If you already have a gaming PC, a new graphics card, more memory or a faster SSD can give it a new lease of life for much less than a full new build. A technician can check where the bottleneck is so you spend money on the part that will make the biggest difference.
Pre-built or custom?
Pre-built gaming PCs are convenient, but some use cheaper power supplies, motherboards or cooling to hit a price. A custom build lets you choose quality parts where they matter and leaves room to upgrade later. A well-chosen pre-built can still be good value, so compare like for like before you decide.
Looking after your gaming PC
- Clean dust filters and fans every few months.
- Keep your graphics drivers and Windows up to date.
- Keep an eye on temperatures during long gaming sessions.
- Back up your game saves and files regularly.
Let us build it for you
If you’d rather not build it yourself, we can recommend parts to suit your budget and games, build and test the PC, install Windows and drivers, and set it up ready to play. We also repair and upgrade existing gaming PCs and gaming laptops. See our gaming PC repair and upgrades page, or read Why Is My Laptop Overheating? if your gaming laptop is running hot.
In short: decide which games and resolution you’re building for, put most of the budget into the graphics card, never skimp on the power supply, and check every part is compatible before you buy. If in doubt, a professional build saves time and costly mistakes.
Need a hand? PC Masters offers a free diagnosis over the phone, a £59 same-day call-out across Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Harpenden and Leighton Buzzard, No Fix, No Fee, and a warranty from 1 month up to 36 months. Book online or call 0800 145 5521, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm.