The most difficult part of assembling a computer is deciding on the components. Today, we will talk about what characteristics to pay attention to in order to build a performance, high-quality, and durable PC.
For What Tasks Do You Need the Computer
Before assembling a computer, first answer the question: "What exactly do you need a PC for?". The fact is that the price and choice of components will directly depend on the tasks the personal computer should handle.
Computer for Non-Demanding Online Games
Games like Fortnite, Valorant, Apex Legends, Dota 2, and Counter Strike 2 do not have high system requirements. To get a high and stable frame rate in these projects on Full HD monitors, you don't need top-end and expensive PC components. The following configuration will be sufficient:
- Intel Core i3-13100(F) processor;
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card;
- 16 GB DDR4 RAM with a frequency of 3200 MHz;
- 512 GB SSD with SATA 3 connection interface;
- Power supply with a power of at least 400 watts and an 80 PLUS Bronze certificate;
- Tower cooler with a couple of heat pipes;
- A case with one exhaust fan.
If you have a high refresh rate monitor and you want to play non-demanding online games at a very high frame rate to gain an advantage over your opponents, you will need a more performance configuration. The computer that we will talk about in the next section is just right for this.
Computer for Demanding Single Player Games
Modern single-player projects like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, and Starfield have very high system requirements. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that developers have been saving on optimizing their games. Even very performance and expensive PCs struggle with new releases. Therefore, to achieve high and stable frame rates in modern single-player games on Full HD monitors, you will need approximately the following configuration:
- Intel Core i5-13400(F) processor;
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card;
- 32 GB DDR4 or DDR5 RAM;
- 1 TB SSD with PCI-E connection interface;
- Power supply with a power of at least 500 watts and an 80 PLUS Gold certificate;
- Tower cooler with 4 heat pipes or a budget AIO;
- A case with several fans for intake and exhaust.
Computer for Professional Work
It is very important to know the system requirements of the programs in which you plan to work. For example, for graphic design and architectural design, an inexpensive configuration will be sufficient, roughly the same as for non-demanding online games.
If you plan to work in heavy programs, for example, in applications for 3D modeling and 4K video editing, then you will need a more performance system, like for demanding single-player games, or even more performance.
Once you decide what you need a PC for and what tasks it should handle, you can move on to choosing computer components.
Central Processor and Its Cooling
When choosing a central processor, pay attention to 3 characteristics: generation, number of cores, and actual heat dissipation.
Processor Generation
The generation is indicated by the first digits in the name of the processor. For example, the Intel Core i5-13400(F) has generation number 13, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F has 7.
The older the generation, the more modern the architecture and power of the CPU. Today, the relevant generations for Intel processors are 12th, 13th, and 14th, and for AMD, 5th and 7th.
Number of Cores
The more cores, the higher the power of central processors.
- For non-demanding online games, a CPU with 4 high-performance cores, such as Intel Core i3 – 12100(F), is sufficient.
- For demanding single-player games, CPUs with 6 high-performance cores, such as Intel Core i5 – 13400(F) and AMD Ryzen 5 7500(F), are suitable.
- For heavy work and gaming with a very high frame rate, processors with 8 high-performance cores, such as Intel Core i7 – 13700K(F), are suitable.
Buying processors with more than 8 high-performance cores for video games does not make sense. Modern developers do not optimize games for a large number of computing units. If you buy a 16-core AMD Ryzen 9 7950X for your PC, the frame rate in games will be the same as that of an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 7700.
Actual Heat Dissipation
Intel and AMD specify TDP – Thermal Design Power – in their processor specifications. The problem is that CPU manufacturers often underestimate this value, and in reality, it is higher. For example, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700X is listed with a TDP of 65 watts, but if you run a stress test and look at the sensors, we will see 78 watts.
Therefore, when choosing a cooling system for your processor, you should base your decision on its actual heat dissipation, not what is indicated in the specifications. The true TDP of central processors can be found in reviews on the internet or on YouTube.
- For CPUs with 4 high-performance cores, such as the Intel Core i3 – 13100(F), budget tower coolers with a couple of heat pipes are suitable.
- For CPUs with 6 high-performance cores, such as the Intel Core i5 – 13400(F), mid-budget tower coolers with 4 heat pipes are suitable.
- For CPUs with 6 high-performance cores, such as the Intel Core i5-14600K(F), top tower coolers or dual-section AIOs are suitable.
- For CPUs with 8 high-performance cores and more, such as the Intel Core i7-14700K(F), only top three-section AIOs are suitable.
Graphics Card
When choosing a graphics card, pay attention to 2 characteristics: the generation of the graphics processor (GPU) and the numerical index.
Generation of the Graphics Processor
The GPU generation is indicated by the first digits in the name of the graphics card. For example, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 has a generation number of 40, while the AMD Radeon RX 7600 has 70.
The older the GPU generation, the higher the performance of the graphics card and the more supported graphics technologies. Today, the current generation of NVIDIA graphics accelerators is 40th, and for AMD, it's 70th.
Numerical Index and Power
The numerical index is the next digits after the generation of the graphics card. They indicate the approximate power of the graphics accelerator.
- Graphics cards with an index of 6 in the name, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 and AMD Radeon RX 7600, are suitable for gaming in Full HD resolution.
- Graphics cards with an index of 7 in the name, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 and AMD Radeon RX 7700XT, are suitable for gaming in 2K resolution.
- Graphics cards with an index of 8 and 9 in the name, such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 and AMD Radeon RX 7900XTX, are suitable for gaming in 4K resolution.
Which Graphics Card to Choose for Work: NVIDIA or AMD
For work, choose a graphics card from NVIDIA. NVIDIA has a unique technology for parallelizing calculations – CUDA. It significantly increases performance in complex graphic tasks.
NVIDIA also works directly with the developers of professional programs and optimizes its GPUs so that they work as stably as possible in heavy creative applications.
Motherboard
When choosing a motherboard, pay attention to:
- Socket;
- Power supply system (VRM);
- Presence of a connector for lighting;
- Type of supported RAM;
- Number of connectors for storage devices.
Socket
The socket is a connector for the central processor, located to the left of the RAM modules or between them. For Intel Core processors of the 12th, 13th, and 14th generations, the socket is LGA1700, and for AMD Ryzen 7, it’s AM5.
Power Supply System
The power supply system (VRM) is a set of drivers, MOSFETs, controllers, chokes, and capacitors that supply and regulate voltage for the central processor. The more energy the CPU consumes, the more powerful the power supply system it requires. If you install a top-tier Intel Core i9-14900K(F) in a budget board, such as ASRock H610M-HVS, the power supply system will quickly overheat, leading to throttling – performance reduction due to critically high temperature. To avoid VRM throttling, it is necessary to properly match motherboards to processors.
- Processors with 4 high-performance cores, consuming about 60 watts of energy, are suitable for budget boards like MSI PRO H610M-E.
- Processors with 6 high-performance cores, consuming about 100 watts of energy, are suitable for budget boards on the "B" chipset, such as MSI PRO B660M-P.
- Processors with 6 high-performance cores, consuming 160 watts, are suitable for top boards on the "B" chipset, such as MSI B760 GAMING PLUS.
- Processors with 8 or more high-performance cores, consuming 200 – 300 watts, are suitable for top boards with the "Z" chipset, such as MSI PRO Z790-A MAX.
Presence of a Connector for Lighting
If you plan to decorate your computer with LED strips or fans with lighting, make sure that the motherboard has an ARGB connector. Many budget boards do not have this, and then you will not be able to synchronize the lighting.
Type of Supported RAM
Intel Core processors of the 12th, 13th, and 14th generations can work with both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM. Make sure to verify what type of RAM the board supports.
Also, pay attention to the number of RAM slots. Do not save money by choosing a board with only 2 connectors. In the future, you may want to add more RAM, and the free slots will come in handy.
Number of Connectors for Storage Devices
Most PC users are satisfied with one M.2 connector for connecting an SSD and another SATA connector for installing a hard drive (HDD). All modern motherboards have this set. However, if you have many storage devices, pay attention to the number of available connectors.
RAM Kit
The first thing to know about RAM is to use an even number of RAM modules in the computer. That is, install either 2 or 4 RAM modules in the PC. This is necessary to activate dual-channel mode, which significantly increases the memory bandwidth and boosts the processor's power.
Besides the number of modules, when choosing RAM, pay attention to: capacity, memory type, clock speed, and the presence of heatsinks.
Memory Capacity
The power of the computer directly depends on the amount of RAM. If the system lacks RAM, you will encounter freezes, program crashes to the desktop, forced reboots, "blue screens of death," and so on.
- For non-demanding online games and uncomplicated professional work, such as graphic design, 16 GB of RAM is sufficient.
- For demanding single-player games and heavy professional tasks, such as 3D modeling and video editing, 32 GB of RAM is sufficient.
- For very complex professional computations, such as 4K video editing and animation creation, 64 GB of RAM and more is required.
Type of Memory
Currently, there are 2 relevant types of RAM: DDR4 and DDR5. DDR5 RAM is more modern and efficient. It has an Error-Correcting Code (ECC) module, which increases the stability of the computer during professional applications. The only disadvantage of DDR5 RAM is its high price.
If you have a very limited budget, you can confidently consider purchasing DDR4 RAM. Although it is less efficient than DDR5, it is still sufficient for gaming with a high frame rate and complex professional work.
Clock Speed
The power of the CPU directly depends on the clock speed of the RAM.
- For DDR4, the optimal frequency is considered to be 3200 MHz and higher.
- For DDR5, the optimal frequency is considered to be 5600 MHz and higher.
These frequency values are sufficient to ensure that the CPU's performance is not limited by the memory bandwidth.
Presence of Heatsinks
RAM modules heat up significantly during operation. This is especially true for RAM sticks that operate at high frequency with high voltage. To extend the maximum lifespan of memory modules, manufacturers install metal heatsinks on the sticks. They absorb excess heat and provide a comfortable temperature regime for long-lasting operation.Presence of Heatsinks
Choose RAM modules with metal heatsinks. Then you can be sure that the memory sticks will serve you for many years.
Storage Devices
Modern games and programs are very heavy. The speed of hard drives (HDD) is not sufficient for quick data transfer to the computer's RAM and video memory.
As a result, computers can take 3-5 minutes to boot up, and games and programs can take even longer to start. To avoid long loading times, it's essential to install SSD drives. They are much faster than hard disks and provide comfortable operation of modern games, programs, and Windows operating systems.
When choosing an SSD, pay attention to the connection interface and the manufacturer.
Connection Interface
The connection interface determines not only the socket where the SSD is inserted but also its speed.
- SSD SATA 3 have read speeds up to 550 MB/s;
- SSD PCI-E 3.0 have read speeds up to 3500 MB/s;
- SSD PCI-E 4.0 have read speeds up to 8000 MB/s.
- SSD PCI-E 5.0 have read speeds up to 10000 MB/s.
If your budget allows, opt for an SSD with a PCI-E 4.0 interface, like the Samsung 980 PRO. With such a storage device, your PC will boot up in 13 seconds, and even the heaviest games, programs, and applications will start quickly.
SSD Manufacturer
The quality, reliability, and durability of an SSD directly depend on the manufacturer. Budget drives from little-known Chinese brands break down quickly and have very low write speeds after filling up the SLC cache. To avoid these problems, buy SSDs from major well-known brands like Samsung and Western Digital.
Power Supply
When choosing a power supply, look at the power and 80 PLUS certification.
Power
The power of the power supply is chosen based on the energy consumption of the components and a little extra. For example, if your PC consumes 400 watts of energy, it is recommended to buy a power supply with a capacity of 500-550 watts.
80 PLUS Certificate
The quality of the power supply directly affects the reliability and durability of the components. If powerful and expensive components are powered by a very cheap PSU, they will quickly fail.
The 80 PLUS certificate indirectly indicates the quality of the power supply. For example, achieving the 80 PLUS Gold standard is only possible with a very high-quality component base. The same applies to Platinum and Titanium certificates. If you see them in the specifications, you can confidently buy such PSUs.
Case
Choose a computer case at your discretion, but remember a few rules:
- Check all sizes. Make sure the case supports the form factor of your motherboard, as well as the length of the graphics card and the height of the tower cooler. If you plan to install an AIO, make sure there is room for it in the case.
- If you choose a case with a window, remember that it should be made of tempered glass. Plastic and acrylic leave deep scratches.
- The case should have good airflow. Otherwise, the components will overheat significantly.
- The power supply should be located at the bottom. This way, it will be well cooled.
Summary
Let's briefly summarize to better understand how to build your own PC:
- When choosing a processor, look at the generation, number of cores, and TDP.
- When choosing a graphics card, look at the generation and the numerical index in the name.
- When choosing a motherboard, look at the socket, VRM, type of supported RAM, presence of ARGB connectors, and the number of connectors for storage devices.
- When choosing RAM, look at the number of modules in the kit, capacity, type, frequency, and the presence of metal heatsinks.
- When choosing an SSD, look at the connection interface and the actual manufacturer.
- When choosing a power supply, look at the power and the 80 PLUS certificate, which can indirectly inform about the quality of the component base.
- When choosing a case, check its size, glass material, power supply location, and airflow.
How HYPERPC Builds Computers
We not only follow all the rules mentioned in this article, but we also take into account even more nuances in the production of our computers. Such an approach allows us to create advanced systems that are renowned for their power, reliability, durability, and unique design.
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