Are you planning to build your dream gaming computer but have no idea where to begin? I know how flustering it must be learning all about the different parts and components of a PC. 

So, what are the PC specs for gaming to help you setup the gaming PC of your dreams? Read on to find out!

What PC Specs are Needed for Gaming?
Whether it’s your first time building a gaming PC or you’ve already done it before, it’s vital to know the specs required. While there are various factors to consider when choosing specs (such as your budget, games to play, among others), this guide can be a helpful starting point.

With that in mind, here are the gaming PC specs to prioritize as you research for the best parts to invest in:

1. Motherboard

The motherboard is the crucial component of gaming PCs, with the motherboard and chipset determining the processors your PC can use, the features it will have (such as the max number of USB ports and the presence of on-board video). 

When building a gaming PC or purchasing a pre-built one, many start off with the motherboard.

These days, gamers would choose the Intel Z170 chipset, which is a new chipset that works well with Intel Skylake processors. With this chipset, you get great features a gaming PC needs, which are overclocking and SLI for better processor speed and the choice to use multiple NVIDIA graphics cards.

2. Processor

This is also another important gaming PC component and spec. While games would use more of the GPU, the CPU is crucial for your overall system performance. 

The top-end gaming PCs should have i5 or i7 processors with eight cores. But if you’re on a budget, you can make do with a processor that comes with four cores. If you’re on a tighter budget, you can choose a dual-core processor, though this will have a dip in gaming performance.

The sweet spot is choosing the Inter core i5 processor, which gives you a good amount of power and affordability. Take note that the processor is difficult to upgrade, while other specs are easier, so make sure to get the best processor possible for your PC to last for years while you upgrade its other specs.

3. Memory

For the gaming PC to run smoothly, it should have enough RAM. BUT you should NOT overwork the RAM. That’s why it’s best to further upgrade your memory specs, such as choosing a DD3 RAM, a fairly inexpensive choice.

With that in mind, the true gaming PCs need to have at least 8GB RAM to run games, while 16GB is the optimum amount. You can get a higher memory, though this won’t increase gaming performance directly. Instead, it allows you to run multiple applications simultaneously, though if your games need to use system memory rather than the dedicated video memory on the graphics card, it adversely affects performance.

4. GPU

The dedicated graphics card is the single most important spec which sets gaming PCs apart. With a high-quality GPU, you can experience a boost in your gaming performance, so you’ll need to invest in the best rather than resorting to cheap and lower-end cards. 

When on a budget, good mid-range graphics cards include the Nvidia GTX 960 or the AMD Radeon R9 380. This also depends on the games you play, so if you want to do virtual reality, go for at least a GTX 970 or GTX 1070.

5. Power Supply

You should also consider your power supply, which harnesses the power of electricity for your gaming PC to come to life. It’s best to get a high-quality power supply unit so it won’t let you and your PC down. 

With that in mind, power supplies should have 80 Plus certifications, which ensure good standards on the power supply. Besides the standard of power supply, it should also have other useful features like the over-current and over-voltage protection so the system stays safe during outages or other issues. 

Wrapping It Up

Building a gaming PC doesn’t need to be difficult with the right tutorials and information. By knowing what you need in a gaming PC, you now have a starting point, so you can set your budget and see what to invest in. Remember, it will take patience and a lot of research, so take your time and enjoy the process of building your own gaming PC. 

I hope that this article on the PC specs needed for gaming helped you out! Now that you know what PC specs your gaming PC needs, start your build and achieve goals. Good luck and have fun!

If you have any questions, do share it in the comments section below. All your thoughts are much appreciated!