Has your old PC started performing poorly when running the latest software and games? Well, you’re not alone. Every couple of years, consumers are faced with the daunting task of upgrading their PCs, and this guide is going to help you build a top notch PC that will serve you well for the next few years.

The following are some of the best components you should get, if you want to experience smooth gaming even in 4K resolution.

Case

Regular consumers don’t pay special attention to the case of their PC. However, a proper airflow will ensure that your cooling components keep those processor temperatures down. If you want to go the extra mile, choosing a PC case with water cooling support is a good choice!

I am personally a big fan of NZXT, Cooler Master and Fractal Design cases. Each of these companies employs designs which ensure a stable air flow and support for various types of liquid cooling. Since these things are provided by all of the manufacturers mentioned above, the choice depends on your personal design preference.

Power Supply

All gamers love getting powerful components for their PCs, but the majority of them do not realize how much a good power supply means in a stable PC build. A good power supply will protect your computer from power surges and will also enable you to achieve higher processor clock speeds. To ensure that your system is going to be protected, remain stable and can be overclocked easily, you should purchase purchase a high quality power supply.

Among all the brands on the market, Seasonic and SuperFlower are the brands at the top of the pyramid. There are plenty of other makers you can choose from, however, make sure that the power supply is at least Gold rated. Also, pick a modular power supply, it will give you more flexibility when you are connecting the system.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the foundation of your PC. Spending a little extra for this part is highly recommended, as you can more easily make upgrades later on. Choosing the best gaming motherboard depends on your budget, and the platform you are planning to use.

Only a couple of months ago, going with Intel was a clear choice, as its performance was significantly higher than that of AMD. However, with the release of AMD Ryzen CPUs, the situation has changed greatly, as IPC improvement has placed AMD on par with Kaby-Lake CPUs.

No matter which platform you go with, some of the best manufacturers such as Asus, Gigabyte and MSI have plenty of choice in their offerings. My recommendation for Intel processors is the Asus ROG Formula IX Extreme and for AMD the Asus ROG Crosshair VI Hero.

Processor

With AMD’s Ryzen on the market now, gamers have many more choices to make. When it comes to Intel, going with Intel i7 7700k will give you the best performance, but going with either Ryzen 7 1800x or Ryzen 7 1800 is going to give you a similar performance. On the other hand, if you are going to work on video creation and other types of demanding tasks, Ryzen is even a better option because it sports a higher number of cores.

If you are running on a tighter budget and you want to save more money for a better graphics card, the Intel i5 and AMD Ryzen 5 1600, which in some cases even outperforms the abovementioned i7, will be more than enough for gaming.

Storage and RAM memory

When it comes to storage, you should be thinking in two different ways. If you want more storage for your PC, you should go with an SSD and HDD in your system. However, if you are more about the speed, you can get a single SSD with higher storage. Personally, I prefer Samsung m.2 960 Pro SSD which supports insane read and write speeds. Additionally, picking a 1TB or higher model ensures better performance and better longevity of the device.

When it comes to RAM memory, the abovementioned motherboards are compatible with DDR4 memories. 16GB of RAM memory is enough for the vast majority of gamers, but if you want to future proof your PC, 32GB of RAM is the way to go. When it comes to manufacturers, there is plenty of choice, but there are no significant differences in performance, at least when it comes to games.

Graphics Card

Picking a graphic card depends on your budget and what resolution you are playing on. If you are going to be playing on a 4K display, the best option is to go with a single or dual setup of Nvidia 1080 Xp cards, which are extremely expensive. This should be on your mind only if you are an enthusiast. On the other hand, you can always pair two Nvidia 1080s and enjoy the same performance for a lower price.

However, if you are going to be playing on a 1080p display, there is no need to invest in a tremendously expensive graphics card. An Nvidia GTX 1070 is more than enough and will easily handle anything at 1080p. If you are looking to save more money, the Nvidia GTX 1060 will also offer great performance in 1080p, but not for every single title.

Peripherals and cooling

A good gaming experience also means having a high quality keyboard, mouse and headset:

• Keyboard – Your choice should include mechanical keyboards, as they feature much lower latency and are easier to maintain. My personal favorite brand is Steelseries, but there are plenty of other high quality manufacturers.
• Mouse – There are plenty of high quality mice brands, and each of them is created for a specific purpose, so pick the one that suits your needs.
• Headset – When it comes to headsets, there is also plenty of choice. However, my personal favorite is Asus ROG Centurion 7.1.

While you are thinking about peripherals, remember to invest in high quality cooling. The Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO is the best budget choice, but people at Noctua make one of the best air cooling processors in the world. On the other hand, if you want the ultimate quietness, picking one of the best water coolers is the best way to go.
This easy guide will help you more easily assemble the gaming PC of your dreams. Yes, the majority of the parts are quite expensive, but buying a PC like this pays off in the long run, as the computer you end up with is still going to perform well five years from now.