Building a Good Gaming PC: Component Guide (2024)

A good gaming PC is defined by balanced components, not brand loyalty. Here's a 2024 tier list for every budget:

1. CPU (Processor)

• Budget: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 ($135) / Intel Core i5-12400F ($150) – 6c/12t, excellent 1080p/1440p gaming.
• Mid-Range: Ryzen 7 7700X ($330) / i5-13600K ($280) – 8c/16c, 1440p/4K ready.
• High-End: Ryzen 9 7950X3D ($550) / i9-14900K ($550) – Gaming + streaming/rendering workloads.

2. GPU (Graphics Card) — Most Critical for Gaming

• 1080p High Refresh: RX 6650 XT ($250), RTX 4060 ($290), RTX 3060 12GB ($280).
• 1440p High Refresh: RX 6800 XT ($450), RTX 4070 Super ($600), RX 7900 GRE ($530).
• 4K High Refresh: RTX 4080 Super ($1000), RX 7900 XTX ($900), RTX 4090 ($1800).

3. RAM

• Standard: 16 GB DDR4-3200 / DDR5-5600 (2×8 GB).
• Optimal: 32 GB DDR5-6000 CL30 (2×16 GB) – sweet spot for 1440p/4K + multitasking.

4. Storage

• OS + Games: 1–2 TB NVMe Gen4 (SN850X, 990 Pro, KC3000) – 7000 MB/s.
• Mass Storage: 2–4 TB SATA SSD or HDD.

5. Motherboard

• Match CPU socket (AM5 / LGA1700). Chipset: B650 / B760 (value), X670 / Z790 (OC/features).
• Look for Wi-Fi 6E/7, 2.5G LAN, 4+ M.2 slots, good VRM (12+ phases for high-end CPUs).

6. Power Supply

• 650W (mid), 850W (high), 1000W+ (4090/7900XTX). 80+ Gold, ATX 3.0/PCIe 5.1 for new GPUs.

7. Case & Cooling

• Mesh front (Fractal Torrent, Hyte Y60, Lian Li O11D). CPU: 240/360mm AIO or dual-tower air (Peerless Assassin, NH-D15).

8. Monitor

• 1080p 240Hz / 1440p 144–240Hz / 4K 144Hz. IPS/OLED. G-Sync Compatible / FreeSync Premium.

Build vs. Buy

• Build: $50–100 cheaper, exact parts, learning experience, per-part warranty.
• Prebuilt: Lenovo Legion, HP Omen, Dell Alienware, iBuyPower, CyberPowerPC, Maingear, Origin. Check r/buildapcsales for deals.

Tell me your budget, target resolution/refresh rate, and preferred games for a specific part list.