The world of PC building can be difficult to navigate. Depending on your goals, you might want to put more power into your CPU, obtain a more powerful graphics card, or even invest in faster memory. Looking at pages and pages of products quickly becomes quite confusing—how exactly do you know which products are right for you? Luckily, we are here to talk about what you should invest in when it comes to building an entry-level build.
If you want a guide that covers the intricacies of PC building, we offer a multi-part guide that breaks down every component. There, you can learn about the differences between L1 and L3 cache, what DDR4 and DDR5 memory is, and more.
When it comes to your first build, you do not need to invest in the top-tier products. Beginner builds are designed to introduce players to the world of PC gaming. Some players might only have a few hours a week to play, but they want something strong and reliable that will work with their schedule. Other players might only want to jump into a few titles that don’t require a lot of power to play. This is where beginner builds are strong—they don’t inflate the budget and tend to be reliable with the option to upgrade components if you find yourself enjoying the hobby and wanting more from it.
Processor
Let’s start with the processor (or CPU). Your first choice is deciding whether to go with AMD or Intel. Both companies offer various tiers of products, and for a beginner’s build, you do not need to invest in the highest tier. Instead, a lower-tier product would be absolutely fine. Identifying this is actually quite simple.
The first thing you want to keep an eye out for what the current generation processor is. The more recent the processor, the easier it could be to find compatible components like a motherboard. Next is a tie between three different elements. You want to keep an eye out for the number of cores the processor has, the clock speed, and what PCIe generation the processor is operating on.
These elements are important because the number of cores and operating frequency will give you an idea of how powerful the processor is. Quad-core processors tend to be on the lower end, while 6-core processors tend to be a great medium ground for entry-level builds. Core counts tend to coincide with operating frequency, so you can’t do much when it comes to picking and choosing in that aspect, but knowing the speed helps compare against other processors.
Finally, you must keep an eye on socket compatibility and make sure you have a motherboard that matches that socket. For example, AMD is currently using the AM5 socket, so a motherboard must also have the AM5 socket. If you get a last-generation processor on the AM4 socket, it will not work with a motherboard using an AM5 socket.
Motherboard
While the processor is the brain of the operation, the motherboard is like the central nervous system. Everything plugs into the motherboard, which enables the system to operate to its maximum potential. There is a slew of companies out there with multiple tiers of boards all designed with different purposes. When it comes to a beginner series, it is incredibly easy to pick out.
The first important piece of information to pay attention to is the socket. Next, you want to look at the overall layout and size of the motherboard. Size matters because it will determine how many devices you can plug into it and what type of case is compatible. The modern standard is ATX, with specialty boards coming in Mini-ITX, E-ATX, and even M-ATX. Regardless of size, all motherboards will have storage interfaces, memory slots, and expansion slots. You also have several USB ports found on the back panel.
Expensive motherboards tend to have standout features like extended heatsinks, multiple headers, and enhanced troubleshooting components that can quickly raise the price of a motherboard to exponential heights. As someone who is just starting to get into the world of PC gaming, you do not need all of that. Just aim for the basics and you can’t go wrong.
Memory
Memory is perhaps the easiest component to understand. Memory (or RAM) is used to store information that is quickly dumped in rapid succession. The amount of RAM and the speed determine how much can be held and how fast it interacts with your system. Additionally, having two modules is key to ensure that dual-channel configuration is met. This enables your system to perform faster when it comes to rendering calculations.
You want to keep an eye out for what RAM is supported by your motherboard. Some support the last generation DDR4 modules, while more modern motherboards support DDR5. Next you want at least 32GB of memory across two modules (16GB each). Next, look at the speed, as this will determine how fast memory performs—the higher the frequency the better. There is also CL latency, which, for beginners, is not that big of a concern, but the lower the number the better.
There are also many different form factors for the memory in the form of heatsinks or heat spreaders. These can be very basic and come in an array of colors or have built-in RGB elements that adds a sense of pizazz to your system.
Storage
This is where things can get a bit confusing because there are so many different elements when it comes to storage. We have evolved from the heavy and large HDDs, which use spinning discs to save and recall information. Now we have solid-state drives (SSDs) that perform much faster than the typical HDD. But these now come in two form factors: SATA and M.2.
SATA drives operate on the old interface similar to what HDDs use, while M.2 is a unique interface that offers incredibly faster speeds, making them a necessity for most games. Due to this, you want to stick with an M.2 SSD. Capacity is the first major factor and no matter what level of build you have, starting off with 1TB is the best option. This is because your operating system and necessary applications will take up a significant amount of room.
Next is going to be the interface speed. We talked about PCIe technology when we talked about the CPU and that influences the speed of this storage drive. There are different interface generations, and for beginner builds I can easily suggest a PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD. Not only is that a reliable speed, but it is currently the most cost-effective as the faster PCIe 5.0 interface can be a bit on the pricey side.
Graphics Card
The graphics card (or GPU) is one of the more complex areas of the build, and if you don’t know what you are looking to do, it can be quite expensive—though price does come with power. Keeping our goals in mind, most cards can easily perform at 1080p with at least 30 fps. Less demanding games will be able to run at incredibly high resolutions even on a low-end card while more demanding games might have issues. Luckily, for this resolution and speed, we don’t need a whole lot.
The first thing to look out for is the company who makes that particular technology. While graphics cards might be made from companies like Gigabyte, MSI, and others, the technology that fuels those graphics cards are developed by three different companies: NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel.
Each of these companies that develop these chips also offer different software technologies to help smooth out your gaming experience. NVIDIA leverages operations like DLSS upscaling and Reflex to speed up frame rates while keeping gameplay latency at a minimum. AMD offers their own brand of those AI-infused technologies, typically at a lower price. Intel has recently broken into the graphics card space and while the technology is still new, it has greatly improved while keeping costs low.
When it comes to what you should be looking for, it is similar to your processor. You want to look at how many cores this device has as well as the amount of VRAM the card has. Different tiers of cards will have different performance profiles, therefore different costs associated with them. So, it is best to consult your budget and see how much you can spend within this area. Graphics cards even on the lower end of the most recent generation can still perform quite well at 1080p resolution especially with various upscaling technologies.
Power Supply
Keeping your system up and running is your power supply. These nifty units come in all sorts of different wattages, ratings, and even sizes. They also come in three different styles which can compliment your build depending on what you are looking for. There is the standard cable style which has all the cables hardwired directly into the housing. There is the semi-modular design that has both hardwired and optional cables to plug into the body. Finally, there are full-modular designs that enable you to pick and choose which cables you need. Modular is currently the most popular amongst seasoned builders, but if you are on a budget, a full hardwired or semi-modular PSU will do the trick.
Wattage is also incredibly important. You have to make sure you get a reliable power supply that will handle all of your components. Having some additional headroom is a plus, especially if you plan on upgrading components. A processor alone can produce anywhere from 125W to well above 250W depending on the model. A gaming graphics card can produce anywhere from 130W to 600W of power. When it comes to which power supply for a beginner build, I’d still argue that an 850W power supply will do just fine.
Finally, power supplies have an efficiency rating which measures the capabilities of the power supply at specific loads. Starting back in 2004, 80 PLUS became a voluntary certification program designed to promote energy efficiency in computers. There are several tiers including bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and titanium. For most systems, an 80 PLUS Gold rated power supply is more than suitable for your system.
PC Case
Aesthetics are important, which is why you want a nice PC case that suits your gaming area. There are so many different types and styles of cases that it is important to find the one that best represents your personal motif. While style is important, you also want to keep utility in mind. Out of all the components you purchase, your case is the one part that can be reused as long as it still fits your components.
There are several sizes of computer case coming in the form of Towers. Full-tower cases are large behemoths that can hold custom water-cooling components and support complex builds. In the same vein, small form factor cases are difficult to build in but offer a smaller footprint. Between these two types of cases is the middle-ground, the mid-tower case.
Mid-tower cases are the modern standard as they offer ample room for even some of the largest components out there. Standard ATX motherboards fit within these cases along with smaller boards like Mini-ITX and M-ATX. Longer boards like E-ATX motherboards might not fit, so you must always check with the manufacturer to make sure. Chances are, you have an ATX motherboard, so a mid-tower case will be just fine.
Cooler
Keeping your components cool is important and also goes hand-in-hand with your case. For beginners, I’d suggest getting a case where the fans are pre-installed. It isn’t necessarily difficult to install fans, but picking out which ones are the best ones for you requires a lot more knowledge and time. So, for the sake of ease, any case with pre-installed fans is a great start.
Case fans are only half the battle here. You are also going to need a cooling solution for your CPU. There are two options when it comes to cooling your processor: air and liquid. For beginners, an air cooler will be just fine. Usually consisting of a heatsink and one or more fans, these easily attach to the motherboard and can produce great performance. Liquid coolers could be a bit difficult to install, tend to be more expensive, and don’t usually offer greater cooling performance.
Operating System
Finally, you’re going to need an operating system. There are two operating systems that will work on builds, Microsoft Windows and Linux. The rule of thumb is if you are a beginner, you want to stick with Windows. You can choose between Windows 11 Home and Pro, but I’d suggest sticking with Windows 11 Home since you’re not doing professional work on your gaming system. If you are, then I would invest in Windows 11 Pro.
Conclusion
These are only the basics when it comes to building up your starter PC. When you start becoming more invested in the platform, things can ramp up pretty quickly. So, we also have a shopping guide for you in the works that could help direct you to the best parts money can buy without going too far over your budget.
Are you looking to dive into the world of PC gaming? Maybe you have a few questions that need answering. Or are you looking for more information about advanced builds? Then keep your eyes on B&H.
