Step-by-Step Guide To Building a High-End Custom Gaming PC
Step-by-Step Guide To Building a High-End Custom Gaming PC
Get ready to embark on an epic journey to create your very own high-end custom gaming PC! Whether you’re a veteran builder or a newbie, this guide has got you covered with every step to craft a machine that will transport you to the pinnacle of gaming ecstasy.
Plan Out Your Build
Before you begin assembling your computer, it’s important to plan your build carefully. Planning ahead ensures that all the components will work together smoothly, saving you time and money. Nobody wants to buy the wrong parts, exceed their budget, or deal with returns and restocking fees. Following helpful articles like this can help you avoid these issues and assist you in successfully creating a custom gaming PC.
Research and Budget
When you start building your ultra-high-end custom gaming PC, it’s important to do research on the latest components. I will provide links to my preferred high-end parts, but remember, the world of PC building is vast and full of options. Exploring other options by checking out forums and review sites can empower you to find the best components for your build.
Setting a realistic budget is not just a step; it’s a crucial strategy that will prepare you for the journey ahead. If your budget is under $2000, it may be challenging to afford a high-end video card and CPU combination. For 4K gaming, investing in a high GPU rather than a high-end CPU is more practical. However, if you’re aiming for lower resolutions, balancing both the CPU and GPU can help you achieve your gaming monitor’s targeted frame rate. Websites like PC Builds can provide valuable information based on your chosen components and how they’ll perform in games.
Choosing the Right Components
When building a custom gaming PC, it’s important to carefully select components that work seamlessly together. Compatibility is key for the ultimate PC-building experience.
If you are still determining compatibility, you can browse our custom build gaming PC shop for inspiration. You can replicate the listed components, purchase a build from us, or use them as a guide for your custom build.
When shopping for RAM, keep in mind that Intel uses XMP for RAM profiles, while AMD uses EXPO. Choosing memory that supports these profiles can enhance your system’s performance.
When selecting a power supply for your computer, it’s important to make sure that the wattage of your graphics card and CPU does not exceed the power supply’s capacity. To stay on the safe side, aim for a power supply that provides about 100-150 watts more than what your GPU and CPU require. Here’s a chart to follow: PSU Recommended Table
Another important consideration is the size of your case. To avoid compatibility issues, make sure that your case supports the size of the motherboard you plan to use. Pay close attention to the size of the case and the motherboard.
Furthermore, your motherboard, CPU, and RAM must be compatible. Avoid pairing a new AMD AM5 chip with an AM4 motherboard, as AM5 motherboards only support DDR5. On the other hand, Intel supports older DDR4 RAM alongside newer 13th and 14th-gen processors, so ensure that the motherboard supports DDR4 and that you’re using DDR4 RAM.
Core Components
Each component plays a vital role in your high-end custom gaming PC. Let’s break down what you need for a high-performance build.
High-Performance CPU
The CPU is like the beating heart of your computer, especially when it comes to gaming. To achieve ultimate performance, we need to focus on high clock speeds and multiple cores.
Some top recommendations include the Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 9 series. If you’re aiming for a boost in gaming frame rates, you should consider AMD Ryzen 3D processors. As of now, my preferred choice of CPU is the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D, which was recently launched after the Ryzen 7 7800X3D model. It offers a slightly higher speed and more cores and is often available at the same price as the 7800X3D when on sale.
For Intel, you can opt for the Intel Core i9 14900K, or if you’re specifically focused on gaming only, the Intel Core i7 14700K is an excellent choice.
Powerfull GPU
When it comes to gaming, the GPU is the most crucial component for achieving top-tier performance. Opting for the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX or AMD Radeon RX series can significantly enhance your gaming experience and ensure seamless gameplay.
While Nvidia GPUs tend to be more expensive, some AMD GPUs, such as the Asus TUF Gaming AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC Edition, can provide excellent value for money.
However, for the best performance, consider the Asus Nvidia RTX 4090 STRIX Overclocked. Another recommended top-of-the-line card is the Asus Nvidia RTX 4080 Super TUF Overclocked.
Both of these GPUs offer an exceptional 4k gaming experience and deliver high frame rates for lower resolutions like 2k and 1080p gaming.
Top-Tier Motherboard
Don’t underestimate the power of a quality motherboard when building a gaming PC! The motherboard is the heart of your system, responsible for keeping everything running smoothly. Investing in a top-notch motherboard is essential for ensuring reliability, managing heat effectively, and unlocking impressive overclocking capabilities.
For those considering an AMD build, the Asus X670E-E ROG STRIX Gaming Wifi is a great choice, while the Asus X670E ROG Crosshair Hero is a top-of-the-line option for those with a larger budget.
On the Intel side, the Asus Z790-F ROG STRIX Gaming Wifi is a solid choice for its price and performance. For those looking for a top-tier option, the Asus Z790 ROG Maximus Dark Hero is an excellent motherboard to consider.
Ultra-Fast and Reliable RAM
Not all memory is created equal. I prefer Corsair RAM over other manufactures. I’ve always got the best reliability, compatibility and performance from them.
For ultra-fast, reliable RAM compatible with Intel, I recommend the Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5 series. They are available at different speeds starting around 6000MHz. The fastest modules are clocked at 7200MHz.
If you’re using an AMD system, Go with the same RAM, but with an AMD EXPO profile. Here’s a link to the ones I’m currently using in my personal build: Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5 6000Mhz AMD EXPO.
Blazzing Fast SSD
To have a great gaming PC experience, it is important to have a super-fast reliable SSD.
Samsung, Western Digital, and Corsair are among the top performers in the industry. I particularly favor Samsung’s 990 Pro drives for their reliable performance.. A great combination is the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB as a boot drive and the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB for a gaming drive.
High-Efficiency Power Supply
When it comes to your custom gaming PC, a dependable PSU is absolutely essential. Look for that prestigious 80 Plus Gold certification from top-notch brands such as Corsair, Seasonic, and EVGA.
Corsair’s new SHIFT lineup of power supplies features a design that complements a wide range of new cases. For instance, the RMx RM1000w power supply has been a popular choice for gaming PC cases. One notable feature is that the cables are shifted from the back of the PSU to the side, making it convenient to add new cables in the future without having to remove the entire power supply unit.
For ultra reliability and power, the Seasonic Prime TX-1300 80 Plus Titanium series PSU is a top-of-the-line power supply with a titanium rating and an unbeatable 12-year warranty.
Superior Cooling
If you’re going high-end, getting a 360mm AIO liquid cooler is a must. There are two companies that are creating some of the coolest coolers out there. Corsair and NZXT. They are reliable, look good, and perform great. I lean towards Corsair mainly because of its ease of installation, better software, and better RGB colors. They also have launched their new icue Link coolers and fans, removing all the wiring, so that installing a cooler is seemless and easier.
Here’s a link for the newest Corsair liquid cooler featuring their new iCue and Link system: iCUE LINK H150i LCD Liquid Cooler.
For NZXT, the Kraken 360 Elite is the way to go.
Premium Case
There are so many case selections. The best cases to build in are going to come from Fractal, NZXT, and Corsair. All of our custom build PCs featured in our custom build PC shop are built with NZXT cases. The NZXT cases we use are the H5 Elite, H7 Elite, and H9 Elite. For our silent workstation build, we’re using the Factual Pop XL Silent case.
Corsair has some new cases that we may start using in our future builds. The one I like the most is the Corsair 3500X.
Assembly Instructions
Now, let’s get to the exciting part – building your custom gaming PC. Go over these steps carefully to ensure a smooth assembly.
Preparation
Remember to stay grounded! When working on electronic equipment, it’s important to gather all necessary tools and set up a clean, static-free workspace to ensure safety. To prevent components from being damaged by static electricity, build with an anti-static wrist strap or an anti-static mat.
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Install the Power Supply
Carefully open the CPU socket on the motherboard by lifting the latch. Align the notches on the CPU with the socket, making sure they fit snugly into place. Always align the arrow on the CPU with the arrow on the CPU latch. Not aligning these arrows can damage the pins on your motherboard. Gently lower the latch to secure the CPU, ensuring it’s locked in without applying excessive force.
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Mount the RAM
Locate the RAM slots on the motherboard. Open the clips on either end of the slots. Align the RAM module with the slot, making sure the notch on the RAM matches the notch in the slot. Press down firmly until you hear a click, and the clips snap back into place, securing the RAM.
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Install Motherboard
To properly position the case, place it horizontally. Next, take the I/O shield that comes with the motherboard and install it into the case’s back panel. Note that most high-end motherboards already have the I/O shield built-in, so you can skip the first step and install the motherboard directly into the case.
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Mount The GPU
Find the PCIe slot on the motherboard, typically the closest slot to the CPU. Remove any expansion slot covers from the case where the GPU will sit. Align the GPU with the PCIe slot and press down until it clicks into place. Secure the GPU to the case with screws and connect the necessary power cables from the PSU.
Image Source: WikiHow -
Connect Storage Drives
Identify the M.2 slot on the motherboard and carefully remove any heatsink using a Phillips head screwdriver. Hold the M.2 SSD at a 30-degree angle, align the notch with the slot, and gently insert it. Lower the SSD to sit parallel with the motherboard, align the mounting hole, and secure it with the provided screw or plastic latch. Reattach the heatsink over the SSD to ensure it is firmly in place.
Image Source: WikiHow -
Install PSU
Place the PSU in the case, typically at the bottom rear. Slide it into place, and secure it with screws. Connect the 24-pin ATX power cable to the motherboard, the 8-pin CPU power cable to the motherboard’s CPU power connector, and the necessary PCIe power cables to the GPU.
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Setup the Cooling System
Make sure to install your chosen cooling solution. If you’ve decided on liquid cooling, mount the radiator to the case and attach the pump to the CPU. Ensure that all fans and radiators are securely mounted and connected to the motherboard or fan controller. Do not attempt to install the liquid cooler without reading and following the manufacturer’s manual for installation.
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Connect Cables
Attach all necessary cables, including front panel connectors (power switch, reset switch, USB ports, front panel audio cable) to the motherboard. Use the motherboard manual for guidance on proper connections. Ensure all power cables, data cables, and fan cables are connected. Use cable ties to manage excess cables and keep the build nice and tidy.
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Final Checks
Triple-check all connections and components. Ensure everything is securely installed and that no cables are obstructing fans. Once inspected and everything looks good, close the case, connect the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and power on your system.
Bios and Software Setup
With your custom gaming PC assembled, it’s time to configure the BIOS and install the operating system.
Bios Configuration
You can access the BIOS by pressing the designated key during startup (usually Del or F2). Within the Bios you can configure your boot drive and RAM profiles.
OS Installation
To begin, install your chosen operating system. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish setting it up.
Software and Drivers
First, install all necessary drivers for your components, beginning with the motherboard and GPU. After that, you can install essential software such as antivirus and monitoring tools.
If using an Asus motherboard, connect the Ethernet cable to your PC and wait for the Armory Crate to appear after you’ve booted up your operating system. Once in the application, navigate to the menu that allows you to install the necessary drivers and utilities to ensure that your motherboard’s drivers are up to date.
Testing and Benchmarking
Before you start gaming, make sure your system is stable and running at its best. A helpful tool for testing your system’s performance is Asus Real Bench. You can download the program from the link provided below. Once you have the program, select the 15-minute stress test and check if it passes. If it does, then you’re all set to go.
Here is a link to the software: Asus RealBench
Maintenance Tips
Keep your PC running smoothly with regular maintenance.
Regular Cleaning
Dust can accumulate and affect performance. Clean your PC every few months using compressed air or with a DataVac computer cleaner.
Software Maintenance
It’s important to maintain the software and drivers of your custom gaming PC to ensure optimal performance and security. Manufacturers regularly release updates that address known issues, improve hardware and software compatibility, and enhance system stability.
These updates also include security enhancements to protect your PC from potential threats. Neglecting updates can lead to performance problems, compatibility issues, and increased security risks. Therefore, it’s crucial to consistently check for updates and install them to keep your custom gaming PC running smoothly and securely.
To Conclude
Building a high-end custom gaming PC can be an exciting and fulfilling experience, particularly for first-time builders. By following this guide and using other online resources, you can bring your vision to life and create an incredible custom gaming PC that suits your lifestyle.
Embrace the challenge, unleash your creativity, and join the ranks of elite custom PC builders. Prepare to enjoy gaming like never before with a machine that truly reflects your own masterpiece!
David is the owner of OTSCR and has been building and fixing computers for over 20 years. Starting as a hobby, his expertise has evolved into a successful small business. He now shares his knowledge through blogging and continues to provide top-notch computer services.
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