Building your own desktop computer is an incredibly rewarding hobby that allows you to fully customize a PC to your exact specifications. Compared to buying a pre-built machine, you can often save money while ending up with a much more powerful system.
Constructing the desktop computer also provides an invaluable learning experience. By the end of this guide, you’ll have intimate knowledge of exactly how a desktop computer works with all its intricate components fitting together.
Part 1: Preparing to Build
Before jumping into purchasing components and piecing together your desktop, adequate preparation and research are essential. Rushing ahead without planning leads to easily avoided mistakes that create serious headaches down the road.
We’ll be covering everything you need to know to select compatible parts and build your dream desktop computer with zero hassle.
Creating a Budget
The very first step is deciding your budget. This determines the performance level and quality of components you’ll be looking at.
Here are some general budget ranges to consider:
- $300 – $500: Entry level system meant for web browsing and very light gaming.
- $500 – $800: Solid mid-range gaming desktop computer that can handle eSports titles and some newer games.
- $800 – $1200: High performance gaming PC capable of maxing out graphical settings in any game at 1080p resolution.
- $1200+: Enthusiast tier components pushing maximum frames per second for high resolution 1440p or 4K gaming.
Once you’ve settled on an approximate number, we can select parts to match both the capability and price you’re aiming for.
Having some budget flexibility is also wise during part selection. If you discover a component with much better performance or quality for slightly more money, you have the option to allocate more funds towards that part.
Essential Components
Building a custom desktop computer requires seven vital components:
- CPU (Processor)
- Motherboard
- RAM
- GPU (Video Card)
- Storage Drive
- Power Supply
- Case
We’ll be going through each in-depth during part selection. For now, here is a quick overview:
CPU: The brain of your desktop desktop computer responsible for essential computations. Important for both gaming and professional workflows. Popular options are AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors.
Motherboard: Serves as the PC’s backbone allowing components to communicate. Ensure other parts are compatible before selecting a motherboard.
RAM: Memory that allows quick data access for open programs and files for a snappier experience. 16GB is the current standard for mid range builds.
GPU: Handles all video rendering tasks. The most important part for gaming and graphics work. NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon are two competing brands.
Storage Drive: Stores all your programs, games, and personal files. Two popular options are the faster Solid State Drives (SSD) or larger Hard Disk Drives (HDD).
Power Supply: Delivers electricity to components from the wall outlet. Ensures stability of the system.
Case: Houses all the components in a protective enclosure while allowing for airflow and expansion. The aesthetics help determine the look of your build.
That sums up the integral pieces of a desktop tower. Let’s dive into part recommendations with a proper budget in mind and build considerations.
Part 2: Selecting Parts
With the knowledge of essential desktop computer components, we can discuss compatible parts to include for your custom build.
Carefully choosing hardware focused on your individual needs provides the best value over generic cookie cutter builds. Understanding exactly which aspects are vital performance considerations for your applications ensures no money goes to waste.
As an example, someone building a video editing workstation prioritizes high core count CPUs and large, fast SSDs for timeline scrubbing and smooth playback. In contrast, gamers want powerful graphics cards and high refresh rate monitors.
For this guide, we’ll be selecting well-balanced components for a gaming focused PC build around the $800 budget tier. The parts can handle the latest games at medium-high settings and 60+ FPS for very smooth gameplay.
Future upgrades also stay on the table thanks to the decent baseline platform we’ll be establishing.
Without further ado, here is every component that you’ll be ordering for our mid-range build:
CPU
The processor choices for a good sweet spot between gaming performance and value are both modern 6 core chips from AMD and Intel:
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- 6 cores, 12 threads
- Up to 4.6 GHz boost clock
- Unlocked for overclocking
- $210
Intel Core i5-12400F
- 6 cores, 12 threads
- Up to 4.4 GHz boost clock
- No integrated graphics
- $180
Comparing specifications, the 5600X edges out the 12400F slightly with higher frequencies and overclocking support since it drops the integrated GPU. However, with current pricing, the Intel chip becomes more attractive for budget focused builds.
Paying just $30 more for only a couple hundred MHz doesn’t make as much sense. Therefore, our choice falls on:
Intel Core i5-12400F
Having 6 cores with hyperthreading enables solid performance in gaming while keeping cost down as much as possible. The lack of an integrated GPU isn’t an issue since we’ll be installing a dedicated video card.
Now it’s time to choose a motherboard to pair it with.
Motherboard
For an Intel platform, we need a motherboard with an LGA 1700 socket and 600 series chipset. The main options here are between:
H610 – Entry level budget boards with basic features
B660 – Feature rich with overclocking support, ideal balance
H670 -Business focused with enterprise features
Z690 – High end boards for enthusiasts
The B660 strikes the best value for money with its blend of connectivity, storage, and overclocking capability. These MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 and Gigabyte B660 GAMING X AX DDR4 both fit well:
- Full ATX form factor
- 4x DIMM slots for dual channel RAM
- M.2 slot PCIe 4.0
- HDMI, Displayport, USB 3.2 ports
- 2.5Gb LAN, Wi-fi 6, Bluetooth
- $140
Comparing the two, the MSI option has better VRMs for stable overclocking while the Gigabyte board contains more rear USB ports.
For the higher quality power delivery and integrated Wi-Fi, we’ll pick the MSI PRO B660M-A WIFI DDR4 Motherboard.
Up next is the RAM.
RAM
When buying memory, you mainly need to consider capacity and frequency support. Most games today recommend 16GB of RAM. Higher frequency sticks around DDR4-3600 speeds work best with Intel 12th gen.
The G.SKILL Ripjaws V 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 CL16 Memory (For Intel) hits all the right notes as a solid pick under $70:
- 16 GB (2x8GB) capacity
- 3600 MHz speed at CL16 latency
- Intel XMP certified
- Heatspreaders for stability
G.SKILL is a reputable name brand providing a nice bundle catered for our Alder Lake platform. It’s on the QVL for the MSI motherboard as well guaranteeing full compatibility.
Two 8GB DIMMs run in dual channel configuration for good performance at a reasonable price point.
Time for some storage.
Storage
When it comes to storage, you have two great options now: classic Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) or ultra fast Solid State Drives (SSDs).
HDDs use spinning metallic platters allowing huge drives up to 10TB for not much money. But their mechanical nature results in slower access times and fragility.
SSDs on the flip side contain no moving parts – just flash memory chips. This allows for incredible speeds, but at a higher cost per GB. A 1TB HDD costs around $40 while a 1TB SSD is at least $80.
Most builds employ a small 250-500GB SATA SSD for the OS and favorite games paired with a 1-2TB HDD for mass storage of other files. Our $800 budget has enough for a quality 500GB NVMe SSD which is even faster than standard SATA drives.
Western Digital Blue SN570 500GB NVMe Internal SSD
- 500GB capacity
- M.2 2280 form factor
- Sequential read/write 3500/3000 MB/s
- $50
This gives us lightning quick boot times and game/app loading speeds. A 2TB Seagate BarraCuda Compute HDD down the line finishes off the storage solution.
Moving onto graphics…
Graphics Card
No gaming focused PC is complete without a dedicated graphics card. Responsible for rendering advanced 3D visuals, the GPU is easily the most important component for gaming performance today.
Considering the budget and current inflated market prices, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD’s Radeon RX 6600 XT are suitable matches. Both deliver excellent 1080p gaming that can also stretch to 1440p:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- 12GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 48 RT cores for ray tracing
- DLSS support
- 175W power draw
- ~$330
AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
- 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Hardware accelerated ray tracing
- FSR upscaling tech
- 160W power draw
- ~$280
At just $280, the 6600 XT is hard to pass up to extract the most frames per dollar. Compared to the $330 RTX 3060, it has less VRAM but similar raw performance and more advanced upscaling tech in AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution.
Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT Graphics Card it is!
Now for arguably the most important component, the power supply.
Power Supply
No one pays much attention to PSUs, but choosing a reliable unit with enough wattage prevents a literal meltdown of your system. Efficient power delivery also saves electricity costs long term.
With an i5 CPU and RX 6600 XT graphics, our full build consumes under 350W of power. This allows budget 500-550W units like the Corsair CX550F RGB.
Corsair CX550F RGB PSU
- 550W continuous power
- 80+ Bronze certified efficiency
- Semi modular cables
- 120mm hydraulic bearing fan
- 5 year warranty
- $75
The cx550F has rock solid electrical components delivering clean and stable power to all the parts reliably for years. Efficiency meets 80+ bronze as well saving energy.
Being semi modular, cables can be detached when not necessary for tidier builds. This checks all our boxes for a quality PSU fitting nicely within budget.
Our foundation is nearly complete. Only the case remains.
Case
A desktop computer case may not impact FPS, but houses your precious components safely while allowing upgrades. It also largely determines aesthetics of your build.
Good airflow from fans prevents thermal throttling under load allowing parts to stretch their legs. Dust filters keep internals clean over time as well.
These are solid options meeting our cooling and budget needs:
Corsair 4000D Airflow
- Understated elegant aesthetic
- Steel construction and tempered glass side panel
- 2x 120mm fans preinstalled
- Removable fan/radiator mounts
- Front mesh and top vents for cooling
- $100
Pure Base 500DX
- Sound dampened for quiet operation
- Meshed front panel with 3x 140mm fans
- Interior HDD/SSD mounts with PSU shroud
- Water cooling support if desired
- $110
Both feature spacious interiors for easy building, support for extra cooling, and modern styling around $100.
If noise is a concern, the Pure Base 500DX dampens fan vibrations extremely well. But the 4000D Airflow takes the cake for its elegant aesthetic and huge front mesh intake feeding directly to GPUs.
Time to bring it all together!
Part 3: Assembling the Parts
The journey is finally complete from paper to reality. Like Lego pieces, we get the pleasure of snapping together components for a fully operational custom gaming PC.
Carefully follow these steps first timers, but don’t fret. Building a desktop computer is surprisingly straightforward compared to what many think.
Have your parts, case, and any tools like screwdrivers laid out before beginning for easy access. Be sure your working surface is clean with room to organize different piles of screws/mounts that come with the case and hardware.
Let’s start with the foundation, the motherboard:
Installing the CPU
Intel processors have delicate pins on their bottom, so gently lower it straight onto the socket after unlocking the retention arm. A triangular marking on one corner lets you align it properly.
With the CPU seated, snap the arm back down and you’re done!
Be EXTREMELY careful not to bend any pins installing processors. This permanently destroys them. Slow and steady is key.
Installing M.2 SSD
Next up is storage which modern motherboards natively support through M.2 slots. SSDs connecting this way provide the fastest speeds vs SATA.
Use the standoff and screw included with your board to slot the WD Blue SN570 drive directly in. The notch on the connector prevents inserting incorrectly.
Installing RAM
Open both lateral clips at either end of the DIMM slots then evenly push down on both sides of the RAM stick until the clips snap back into the locked position.
Repeat with the second 8GB module in the slot further away. Try booting the PC before fully assembling to ensure RAM correctly interfaces.
Connecting Front Panel
Modern cases provide a single rectangular plug that carries all the tiny wires for power button, USB ports, audio jacks, LEDs and reset switch.
Locate the front panel header pins near the bottom edge of the board. Orient the plug properly so the missing pin lines up while pushing down firmly.
For older cases with individual connectors, your motherboard manual explains exact pin layouts to match each wire.
Installing Power Supply
Standard ATX power supplies screw into the back panel of your case and should fit universally. Route all cables through the cutout channeling them forward to later connect.
Use the brackets included with the case to clean up and hide excess cabling behind the PSU shroud.
Installing Storage
3.5” HDDs need mounting sleds installed first into drive bays before sliding disks in. SSDs get secured straight onto any metal surface with screws. There’s plenty of room in the 4000D Airflow.
Route SATA data and power cables through closest grommets after installation keeping tension minimal.
Installing Motherboard
Line up the rear I/O ports with cutout on case before gently lowering in at an angle while aligning screw holes. Add-in cards slot into PCIe x16 and x1 expansion slots anchored to the chassis.
Carefully screw in the eight standoffs with a magnetic screwdriver checking for any points shorting the backside.
Installing Graphics Card
SATA ports and RAM slots often get blocked with meaty GPU coolers overhanging the motherboard. Plan card placement wisely.
Release the PCIe x16 retention tab, align the gold fingers of the graphics card with the slot, then press down firmly until the clip clicks back into place securing it. Provide extra support if heavy.
Connect PCIe power cables from PSU – our 6600 XT needs just a single 8 pin connector.
Finishing Touches
Double check all connections are solid (24 pin motherboard plug, CPU 8 pin power etc) with nothing loose that could fall out during transport. Re-seat components like RAM if booting fails.
Cable manage for both aesthetics and airflow. Excess length gets folded and tucked away behind panels using included velcro straps and anchors. RGB lighting builds character if desired.
That concludes assembly! Let’s prep your OS for first boot.
Part 4: First Boot
With all hardware installed, we’ve reached the home stretch for this epic journey.
Before fully buttoning up and loading your shiny new desktop computer into a desk, testing boots now prevent later hassles from poor connections or faulty parts.
Expect a couple configuration processes before getting into Windows itself as well.
External Boot
Initially boot outside the case directly off the motherboard box to easily reseat parts that don’t post. Set the board down carefully with standoffs in the tray holes.
Connect just the essentials – 24 pin cable, 8 pin EPS, front panel jumpers, RAM, video output, keyboard and mouse. Hit power!
Fans should spin and rear QLED indicates a successful POST completing extensive component checks. Any debug lights help diagnose issues if it fails.
Load UEFI BIOS
Entering the UEFI shows all recognized hardware with options to enable XMP RAM profiles, set boot order, or tweak settings before installing Windows.
Enable XMP to run RAM at rated speeds, under Boot tab set SSD as first priority. Save and reboot.
Install Windows
Use Microsoft’s media creation tool to load a bootable Windows 10 or 11 USB installer. With that plus your SSD plugged in, follow the quick start prompts.
Once formatted, Windows automatically installs drivers and handles updates. Install your GPU drivers directly from AMD/NVIDIA after Windows finishes configuring.
Stress Tests
Confirm stability by running intensive benchmarks like FurMark for GPUs and Prime95 for CPU. Monitor temperatures using HWInfo staying below 90°C on the chips.
If either application crashes or causes freezes/reboots, faulty parts may be present. Time for returns if issues persist.
Otherwise, congrats on a successful boot! Finalize the build.
Part 5: Finalizing First Build
With a smooth test boot complete, it’s finally time to complete your gaming PC. Install it safely within the case cable managing properly this go around for longevity.
Some finishing touches like custom sleeved PSU cables, LED strips, or funko pops also give personality. Benchmark your components under full gaming or rendering workloads across hours confirming no hiccups.
Additionally, here are extra steps to fully polish off the start to finish build process:
Cable Management
Carefully slide components back into the case minding any tight clearances around the graphics card or CPU cooler. Wood blocks help here preventing bending.
Use included velcro straps, anchors, and the vertical cable bar/shroud to neatly hide and tighten up wires behind the motherboard tray. Separate power cables away from low voltage data lanes when able.
Zipties also work wonders tying down stray SATA/fan connectors elsewhere out of sight. Just don’t over tighten and damage the actual wires.
Create Recovery Media
With Windows up, use the built-in utility to create a recovery USB flash drive should anything happen to the OS down the road. Simply insert any 8GB+ stick and boot into advanced startup > Troubleshoot > Recovery Drive.
This also includes full system backups via Macrium Reflect Free protecting your programs and files as well. Schedule routine images for redundancy.
Undervolting Components
Now that build testing completes, experiment undervolting components for cooler, quieter daily operation. AMD Ryzen CPU voltage offsets and MSI Afterburner for the GPU keeps thermals down and extends longevity without sacrificing performance.
Built-in stress testing confirms stability at lower power targets. Target around 1.25v on the 12400F and 1050mv for the 6600 XT cores to start. Increase voltages gradually if crashes or artifacts.
Overclocking Headroom
Conversely, our unlocked Intel chip and B660 board supports pushing clock speeds beyond stock as well chasing extra frames. Expect 4.5-4.7 GHz all core speeds tuning carefully with appropriate vCore scaling.
Memory has overclocking headroom too using the XMP profile as a baseline. Try tightening primary timings at the same frequency for free gains before jumping up in MT/s. Stress testing equally confirms stability here too.
And enjoy your new custom gaming PC! Benchmark, tweak and game away.
Conclusion
While certainly more complex than plugging in a console, building your own desktop computer ultimately offers an incredibly rewarding experience filled with lessons. You also end up with a much more capable, reliable and upgradeable system catered exactly towards your needs.
Whether focused on all core CPU throughput for rendering tasks or pushing high refresh rate frame rates in the latest titles using powerful discrete graphics cards, the DIY route can’t be beaten. And saving hundreds over off-the-shelf systems makes decisions that much easier.
Hopefully this start to finish guide covered sufficient detail allowing first timers to adequately prepare for their maiden build. With so many excellent component options nowadays across processors, graphics chips, memory and storage, the possibilities are truly endless to craft your dream PC.