by Author Name Withheld 126

Created on: March 20, 2010   Last Updated: August 12, 2010

A topic such as building a gaming PC could extend into vast complexity. Each part of a gaming PC could be covered in a separate topic and still outgrow an acceptable topic length. For this reason, the following list contains the top ten most important tips of building a gaming PC rather than detailed explanation.

Tip 1: Video Cards

Often, top end cards and multiple card systems are only needed for professional work in graphics rendering. Buying too much card amounts to the same as trying to make a Lamborghini your daily work car. Even if it seems like a nice idea, for most people it just isn't practical or rational. Even upper mid-range cards are only useful to those seeking what amounts to a professional level of play on first person shooter games. Most individuals will be able to do anything they want, including cutting-edge game play, with a reasonably priced video card.

Tip 2: Power

In a gaming PC, the one area that novice builders most often neglect is the power supply unit. Power supplies are ranked by experts according to a tiered ranking system. It is best to refer to such a chart when choosing a power supply. Tier 3 power supplies are the lowest that should be used, but it is ideal to stay with tier 2 or above. This choice is the single most important part of a gaming PC build. A faulty power supply is often the actual reason a part goes bad or a system fails years before it actually has become obsolete.

Tip 3: Processors

While there might be a temptation to have the newest hyped processor, keep in mind that many games don't even fully utilize multiple cores. As with video cards, the actual potential of a high end processor is not often reached by a casual PC user. What matters most in a processor is stability and potential. It is often better to buy an older high end processor to overclock than a newer one that is sold at a cheaper price. Often, there is a reason these are cheaper. Those older processors will offer more stability and actually exceed the performance of many newer models once you maximize their potential.

Tip 4: Deals

It is never a good idea to rush into buying computer parts. The best bet is to find parts you really like now and buy them in a few months at a greatly reduced price. Many times, these will go into clearance or become part of combo deals. There is a window of opportunity, once reduced these items will be cheap only until stocks are reduced. Quality items will then actually rise again in price because of rarity and

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