How to build your gaming PC Which parts to choose?

Building a PC not only allows you to make a computer that meets your needs and your budget, but it is also a fun and educational exercise.

I love building my PCs. I have assembled a little more than a dozen over the past few years. Some were for me, some for work, and some for friends. I even did it for my girlfriend once, believing it was a romantic gesture at the time (I've since gotten better).

I'm not the only one with this passion. According to research firm NPD Group, sales of computer accessories and components for gaming increased by 62% in the United States between 2019 and 2020. The pandemic had something to do with it, but it's a trend which has been observed for several years now.

The main advantage of building your PC is that you can choose your own parts. Some will, for example, want to invest in the best possible quality, while others will try to get good value for money. While some are utilitarian in their choices, others have no problem paying a little more for nicer parts and LED lights all over their case.

Overall, you may end up paying a bit more for your creation than with a pre-assembled PC. The parts offered here cost $3732, without the screen and accessories, compared to $3609 for an equivalent Alienware Aurora R12. However, you will like your computer more, and you will be able to repair it more easily later. Luckily, however, you don't have to pay that much. By following the more affordable suggestions, your new gaming PC will also perform very well, but it should cost considerably less, around $1500.

To help you get started, here are the different parts you'll need to choose to mount your computer, the considerations to take into account in 2021, the parts I chose for my own device (and why ), low-budget alternatives, and observations you might find helpful when assembling.

Go get a coffee, there's a lot to talk about.

Processor: Intel Core i9-11900K

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The Intel Core i9-11900K processor.

The processor is the brain of a computer. Its impact on performance in games isn't as big as it used to be, but it's still an important choice to make that will also influence other parts, like your cooling system and motherboard.

▶ What you need to know in 2021

While Intel has long dominated the market, in 2021, it is clear that it is above all AMD that has the wind in its sails, with its Zen 3 architecture. However, both brands offer good options, both if you buy the best model available and if you opt for a more affordable one.

Note that this is a part that does not really deteriorate, and which retains a good resale value, especially for more expensive models. The more popular a CPU is, the more of its value you can recoup when you next build.

Intel Core i9-11900K: the best of Intel

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The Intel Core i9-11900K processor, once installed on the motherboard.

For my part, I opted for a Core i9-11900K ($689), which offers excellent single-core performance and has good potential for being overclocked (I've talked about this at length in my review here). Others will obviously prefer AMD's Ryzen 9 5900X ($719), which is more efficient for parallel tasks thanks to its 12 cores and, it must be admitted, more fashionable.

Alternative solution for smaller budgets

As I indicated in my Rocket Lake-S review, I was particularly impressed with the performance of the Intel Core i5-11600K. At $339, it's half the price of the i9-11900K, but you'll get about 90% performance in games. As a bonus, you can also save on the cooling solution, since it heats up considerably less.

Assembly tips

Installing a processor is simple, but it can be a little stressful the first time around. Place it in the base for this purpose on your motherboard, and close the lever to hold it in place. Little notches help ensure it's placed the right way, you can't really go wrong. Note that the processor may seem quite loose in the base before it is closed, but this is normal.

Graphics card: ASUS TUF Gaming RTX3080 OC

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The ASUS TUF Gaming RTX3080 OC graphics card.

The graphics card is the part that will have the biggest impact on the performance of your games. I wrote above that the processor is the brain of your computer. The graphics card is its heart. It is what dictates the resolution at which you can play, the fluidity of your games and the quality of the graphics. It is also the most difficult to obtain these days. Here too, two large families are available to you: cards from NVIDIA (the most recent series of which is the RTX30XX), and from AMD (RX 6000 series).

▶ What you need to know in 2021

The planet has been experiencing a shortage of graphics cards for months, so this component will be the hardest to find right now. To choose the graphics card that is right for you, you must take into account your budget, the resolution of your screen, the quality of the graphics expected and the refreshment you want to play. On the NVIDIA side, the RTX3070 is mainly used for 1440p gaming, and the RTX3080 for 4K gaming. The more powerful 3070 Ti and 3080 Ti were also recently announced. The RTX3090 is even more powerful, but its price is difficult for gamers to justify.

ASUS TUF Gaming RTX3080 OC: perfect for ultra-wide resolution

Photo: Maxime Johnson

Be sure to install your graphics card in the compatible PCIe slot closest to your processor.

For my part, I equipped the computer with the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX3080 OC, which I had tested here. It's a great card, capable of running most games at 120fps (or at worst 60) on a 3440x1440 pixel ultrawide monitor, at the best possible quality.

Alternative solution for smaller budgets

The NVIDIA RTX3060 Ti still offers excellent performance, for $549. This is sufficient for gaming at 1080p with a high refresh rate, but also 1440p if you make some compromises. Unfortunately, it is just as hard to find as the others.

Assembly Tips

Mount the graphics card to your motherboard at the very end of the assembly. This one is indeed big, and may be cumbersome. Even if you install the graphics card at the end, you should still place the necessary cables in your power supply as soon as possible, since they will be easier to place neatly at the beginning of the process than at the end.

Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus XIII

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The ASUS ROG Maximus XIII offers all the modern ports and technologies you would expect to find on a high-end motherboard.

To stay with the anatomical analogies, if the processor and the graphics card are the brain and the heart of the computer, the motherboard is its skeleton and its blood system, which makes it possible to connect all the components of the device (ok, I'm done with these comparisons, I promise).

Depending on the model, a motherboard may offer you more or fewer slots to connect internal components (such as graphics cards or NVMe modules), more or fewer ports, a Wi-Fi chip or not, etc

► What to know in 2021

Intel's current generation processors are compatible with Z590 and Z490 motherboards, while AMD's Ryzen 5000s are compatible with X570 . Either way, expect to pay around $200 to $600, depending on the quality of the model.

ASUS ROG Maximus XIII: the very top of the range

Photo: Maxime Johnson

Contrary to this photo, you should install certain components on the card before screwing it into your case.

I installed an ASUS ROG Maximus XIII here, which offers pretty much everything a motherboard can offer in 2021 (the price is accordingly, at $618). I particularly liked the heat sinks that protect the M2 ports (those that allow you to install NVMe storage pads, we will come back to this later), the abundance of M2 ports and different technologies that will allow me to try certain components to their full potential over the next few years. Most won't need such a versatile card, though.

Tips for smaller budgets

It's not worth paying $600 for a motherboard, but you won't want to buy the cheapest model either, especially with a processor that consumes a lot and you expect to overclock. A card like the ASUS TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi ($324) still offers good specs, but there are dozens of models that should be fine around $300 (and even $250 for AMD-compatible models).

Advice for assembly

Do not hesitate to install certain components on your motherboard before placing it in your case, such as RAM and M2 disks. This will make them easier to place. Either way, you should absolutely read your motherboard's guide before adding each new part and plugging in each new cable. For example, some motherboards will disable one port if another is in use, which could make your life more difficult when starting up your computer.

RAM: Crucial Ballistix DDR4 MAX 3600 (2 x 16 GB)

Photo: Maxime Johnson

Two Crucial Ballistix MAX 3600 DDR4 RAM sticks.

The current generation of processors must be accompanied by DDR4 memory, a technology that has been on the market for a few years now, and whose price has nevertheless fallen considerably. Some claim that 8 GB is enough, but the point of building a PC is precisely not to have to close Chrome as soon as you launch a game. Go for at least 16 GB, ideally 32 GB or more (at the time of this writing , 15.2 out of 32 GB are used by my system and its various software).

Choose the strips with the largest capacity possible. In other words, it is better 2 bars of 16 GB than 4 of 8 GB, since you can more easily add memory later, and their resale value will be higher.

► What to know in 2021

RAM for video game is mainly sold with speed from 3200MHz to 3600MHz in 2021. The higher the frame rate, the better the memory, but honestly, you probably won't see the difference in everyday life. Note that there are even faster ones, but the price is prohibitive.

RAM manufacturers are having some supply issues this year. When buying, therefore, check all the different configurations offered, since some could be unnecessarily expensive. While shopping, for example, I found 3200 MHz modules more expensive than 3600 MHz of an equivalent brand.

Crucial Ballistix DDR4 MAX 3600 (2 x 16 GB): powerful and without fla fla

Photo: Maxime Johnson

Notches prevent you from placing the RAM sticks the wrong way up on your motherboard.

I opted for the 32GB Crucial Ballistix 3600 here, which offers a good quality heat sink (I plan to overclock it) without being outsized (I've had issues in the past with some strips too big). The 3600MHz model retails for $239, but at the time of this writing, the 3200MHz ($224) saves quite a bit. Those who like LED lights in their computer can also pay an extra $38 ($277) for the RGB model. I will not judge you.

Tips for smaller budgets

As I said above, I would avoid 8 GB of RAM, but 16 GB can be enough. Expect to pay around $120 for good quality DDR4 3200 MHz memory (the Ballistix is ​​$112, for example). The saving for 2666 MHz sticks (around $100) isn't worth it though, since you'll lose resale value, and some AMD processors are finicky with such memory.

That said, if I had to cut to save, I would personally try to do it somewhere other than RAM.

Assembly tips

Installing DDR4 memory is simple, as notches prevent you from installing it upside down. Sometimes you have to weigh quite a lot, however, which can be scary. Install RAM before your CPU cooler for easier access, and check your motherboard guide in which slots the sticks should be installed (there is an order to follow, depending on the number of barrettes you have).

Storage: Crucial P5 NVMe (2 TB)

Photo: Maxime Johnson

NVMe storage chips, like the Crucial P5, are preferred for a modern gaming PC.

For storage, avoid hard drives, which will significantly slow down your computer. Two choices are then available to you: an SSD disk, or an NVMe bar, a small memory wafer which is installed directly on the motherboard, in an M2 port, without having to be connected to a SATA port and to your power supply box like an SSD drive.

► What you need to know in 2021

An NVMe stick is - by far - my favorite option for storage in 2021. It's easier to plug in, it's cleaner to install ( since you don't have a cable to manage) and it's the fastest solution on the market. The only downside: motherboards have few compatible ports (1 to 4 on average), so you won't be able to constantly add more over the years as was possible with SSDs. In terms of capacity, if you plan to play, 1 TB seems to me the minimum, since some games can reach 150 GB. A 500 GB disk fills up too quickly.

Crucial P5 NVMe (2 TB): fast and without overheating

Photo: Maxime Johnson

NVMe storage installs directly into an M2 slot on your motherboard, without being connected to your power supply.

I personally opted for the Crucial P5, capable of reaching speeds of up to 3400 MB/s, with good endurance (600 terabytes written total). This one doesn't have big heat sinks, but that was a plus for me, since my motherboard has its own heat sinks. I opted for a 2TB model (sold for $366 when I started writing this text, but is more like $502 now), but you can also take a 1TB disk (previously $189 $, now $217).

You will understand that, just like with RAM, the prices of NVMe drives change often.

Tips for smaller budgets

You can save with an entry-level NVMe drive, which will cost around $100-$130 for 1TB. Maximum speeds will be slower to copy large files (which we never do anyway), but applications will generally launch just as quickly. You will have a lifespan reduced by about half, but that is still acceptable if you only play or work with your computer (in other words, if you are not interested in cryptocurrencies).

An SSD should be around the same price, but if you find one on a discount, it might be worth it. Here too, the maximum transfer speed is reduced (to copy a very large document, for example), but the speed of the installed applications should be about the same.

Assembly Tips

Just insert the NVMe drive into the NVMe slot on the motherboard to install it. You will probably also need to screw the end into the card, first removing the small screw that is already there. If your motherboard has a built-in heatsink like mine, don't forget to remove the little blue plastic wrap that protects it.

Power supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF2 ARGB 850W

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The Thermaltake Toughpower GF2 ARGB 850W power supply.

The power supply is what provides electrical power to the various parts of your computer. If I had continued to make anatomical comparisons, I would probably have said that it was a mixture between the stomach and the mitochondria (does it seem that I listen to Once upon a time.. . Life, these days on Netflix?). But fortunately, we said that we were abandoning these analogies.

The main characteristic of a power supply is its power. Your needs can be estimated with various online calculators (this one is the best in my opinion), but graphics card manufacturers also have minimum suggestions, which are usually higher. The ASUS TUF Gaming RTX3080 OC, for example, recommends an 850-watt case, while the ECU recommends me a 650W one. Note that in practice, even in the middle of a performance test, my PC mounted with the parts mentioned here only consumes around 540W maximum.

You will also have to choose its effectiveness, identified using the 80 Plus program. In summary, an 80 PLUS Titanium case will be more efficient than a Gold, which in turn will be more efficient than a Silver, then a Bronze. The more efficient the PSU, the less electricity loss you will have, but the more you will pay for the purchase.

► What you need to know in 2021

The world of power supplies hasn't changed much in recent years. The main difference is that the average quality has increased, and some features that were rare before (like detachable cables) are now more common.

Thermaltake Toughpower GF2 ARGB 850W: colorful and quiet

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The Kraken X63 liquid cooling system, from NZXT.

I used the Thermaltake Toughpower GF2 ARGB 850W (about $170 when it launches in Canada) for my computer, which offers 80 PLUS Gold certification, a 10-year warranty, modular cables and a mode that turns fans off when power consumption is low, ensuring quiet operation.

It's a good quality card, which should be useful in my next computer, when I update it in a few years.

Advice for smaller budgets

It's quite easy to save on power supplies, especially by opting for a model on sale (there are always some), which has a less good efficiency and which is closer to the limit of your needs. If your case is large and you don't mind that the cables are not all tidy, you can also opt for a model that is not modular (I like the concept of modular cables, where you only install only the ones you need, but it is easy to do without them).

An entry-level model will offer a worse warranty, and will probably last you less, but unless you opt for a really questionable model, you shouldn't see the difference with your current computer.

Assembly tips

If you have a modular cable system, install the cables you will need from the start, as the back of your case may be difficult to access once everything will be hooked up.

Cooling: NZXT Kraken X63

Photo: Maxime Johnson

Modern power supplies often offer modular cables, so you can install only the ones you need.

Your processor will need a cooling system, either liquid or air. Without cooling, it will overheat at the first opportunity. Note that while processors were once sold with their own heat sink and fan, this is now generally no longer the case. So you will need to buy one.

► What you need to know in 2021

If a liquid cooling system used to be complex to install, this has not been the case for a few years now, thanks to all-in-one systems . These aren't terribly expensive (at least, considering your overall budget), and they provide maximum cooling. Your processor will therefore be able to operate at the limit of its performance, for a long time.

At the time of purchase, make sure in particular that you equip yourself with a model whose size is compatible with your case. It must also be compatible with the format of your processor (LGA 1200, AM4, etc.). Note that if you have a bigger budget and artistic talents, you can also design a custom cooling system (this will be for a future column).

NZXT Kraken X63: a safe bet

Photo: Maxime Johnson

In the assembly here, the Kraken X63 heatsink is installed in the front of the case, and is cooled by the air entering the computer.

The Kraken range from the manufacturer NZXT is what we could consider as a safe bet in the field of PCs. I opted for a Kraken X63 ($166) here, which notably offers a design with an “infinity mirror” on the pump, and a large heat sink the size of two 140mm fans. Even with one of the most greedy processors on the market, and even removing its power consumption limits, this liquid cooling system is more than enough for my needs. The Kraken X63's 6-year warranty is also above average.

Note that NZXT also offers other models, such as the Kraken Z63 ($304), which is equipped with a customizable LCD screen. The price difference between the two is however considerable for a difference that is only aesthetic.

Tips for smaller budgets

If you don't plan on overclocking your CPU, you could save a hundred bucks by buying an air-cooled one. You will have to make sure that its performance is sufficient (the maximum thermal envelope – TDW, in English – of the processor is indicated on the manufacturer's site) and that you have the space to install it in your case, since the coolers at the air are sometimes very large.

Assembly Tips

Most liquid cooling systems come with thermal paste pre-installed, but there are exceptions. If you must do it yourself, opt for a non-metallic clay (they are more difficult to apply). I've been using a tube of Thermalright TF8 ($14.99) for years, but I recently replaced it with a tube of SYY thermal paste, a brand I don't know, but whose price ($6.99 ) was oddly low considering its good characteristics. However, I haven't had a chance to try it yet.

Case: NZXT H510 Elite

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The NZXT H510 Elite case separates the power supply from the rest of the computer.

The box needs no introduction: it is the room in which your components will be housed. Obviously opt for a box whose design you like, especially if you plan to have your computer in sight. Ideally, choose a model with easily accessible ports on the front (I personally wanted at least one USB-C port, for example), and which is compatible with the components you want to use (not all cases will have room for a hard drive, for example, let alone a Blu-ray player).

Also make sure that its size is compatible with the format of your motherboard (Mini ATX, ATX, EATX) and that it is large enough for your graphics card. Personally, I also like boxes that easily allow cables to be placed under the motherboard (both sides of the box are then removable), which allows for a cleaner box, with better ventilation.

► What you need to know in 2021

Several features that were reserved for high-end cases (glass wall, construction that can be disassembled without tools, LED lights, etc.) are now offered on much cheaper models. This is one of the parts where the price varies the most from one brand to another.

NZXT H510 Elite: minimalist, but elegant

Photo: Maxime Johnson

Like the H510 Elite, most modern cases allow access to the space under the motherboard, in order to run cables and install SSDs.

I took an NZXT H510 Elite ($149) here, which was big enough for my needs, without being a giant format, and which was one of the rare models to meet all my small expectations ( for example, I wanted to have a single 3.5mm audio jack on the front, not separate microphone and earphone jacks).

I also like that this one is compatible with vertically laid graphics cards (for aesthetic reasons). I plan to hook up my graphics card this way one day, but have yet to purchase the adapter needed to place it this way. Also note that I'm generally pretty bad at building PCs in a clean way, so I felt like the H510 Elite's various cable management systems were going to come in handy (I'll let you judge my performance for yourself -even with the pictures).

Tips for smaller budgets

The case is another purchase where it is possible to save money. If you don't mind a big black box, and if you don't need modern ports (USB-C, for example), you can find one for around fifty dollars. However, make sure it is well ventilated. If it doesn't have any fans, you'll need to buy them separately.

Assembly tips

Make sure there is good ventilation in your case. Typically, cold air enters from the front and bottom, and hot air exits from the rear and top (thanks to fans, or passively). Check with your hand to be sure that the various fans are pushing air in the correct direction once everything is assembled.

Screen: Gigabyte G34WQC

Photo: Maxime Johnson

As he announced, our columnist Maxime Johnson opted for an ultrawide monitor for his new computer, the Gigabyte G34WQC.

Would you allow me a little aside before talking about my monitor? A scene that always stuck with me in the movie The Breakfast Club is when Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson talk about the importance of trigonometry and lamps. It is the character of Nelson who settles the question when he says "without lamps, we wouldn't see anything" (at least in the Quebec translation).

In an alternate universe, Breakfast Club would tell the story of five teenagers who assemble their PC, where Anthony Michael Hall would invest all his money in a big graphics card (the trigonometry), but would plug in an old obsolete screen (the lamp ). Nelson would obviously laugh in his beard, because he would know that it is useless to invest $2000 in a video game PC if the monitor does not make it possible to take advantage of it.

In this film, Emilio Estevez would have lots of LED lights in his computer, Ally Sheedy would assemble a PC with parts purchased from Aliexpress, and Molly Ringwald would have ordered a Dell PC already assembled.

You'll get it from my ridiculous aside, but you'll need a good enough monitor to go along with your new PC. You will need to consider several characteristics for its purchase, such as resolution, size, refresh rate and ratio, but also the technology used for the panel and characteristics such as adaptive refresh (Freesync or G-Sync).

► What to know in 2021

Buying a monitor to your liking is surprisingly difficult in 2021. Basically, the production of manufacturers has not yet caught up with the tastes of gamers. Ultrawide screens are pretty rare though (it was a must-have feature for me, as I explained here), HDMI 2.1 is hard to come by, and it's hard to get both a good resolution and a good refresh rate. However, the situation is changing rapidly, with quality improving year by year.

Gigabyte G34WQC: excellent value for money

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The back of the Gigabyte G34WQC.

The monitor is the only part I have compromised for my computer. The monitor of my dreams (38-inch 21:9 ultrawide screen, 5K/2K resolution, very high refresh rate) unfortunately does not yet exist.

What I chose, however, offers almost everything I need, for a price that is still quite low compared to other similar monitors. The Gigabyte G34WQC ($615) thus offers a good 34-inch format, an ultrawide ratio, a response time of 1ms and a variable refresh rate of up to 144 Hz. I was afraid that its 3440 x 1440 resolution is a little too low for my taste (I'm used to a 27-inch 4K screen), but after two months of testing, this is finally quite sufficient.

Tips for smaller budgets

It's easy to undercut the G34WQC by dropping some of its features. A 27-inch screen with 1440p resolution will be considerably cheaper, for example, and the price also drops a lot if the refresh rate doesn't matter to you. It's up to you to decide what your limit is.

Assembly Tips

Some monitors can only achieve their maximum refresh rate using the DisplayPort port. It is generally this that you will have to privilege, and not the HDMI port. If your screen won't turn on when you've assembled your PC, make sure the correct input is selected in its menu, usually accessible with buttons at the bottom right of the monitor.

Mouse: Thermaltake SILVER M5 Wireless

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The Silver M5 Wireless mouse, from Thermaltake.

You can use any mouse with your new computer. If you're going for a gaming mouse, you'll want to look out for a few features, like its accuracy and the ability to change the resolution easily. Some mice also offer more configurable buttons than others. In the end, you will also have to choose between a wired or wireless mouse.

► What to know in 2021

An amazing amount of mice are being released month after month, but no breakthrough technology has changed the market in recent years. However, it is now possible to have good characteristics (for accuracy, for example), for less than before.

Thermaltake SILVER M5 Wireless: several wireless options

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The Argent M5 Wireless mouse comes with a carrying case, detachable cable and 2.4 GHz adapter.

I like the simplest mice possible, because I never learned to use secondary buttons, like those on the side. I also prefer wired mice, which are more reliable and do not have to be recharged. However, my curiosity was piqued by the Thermaltake SILVER M5 Wireless (about $100), which can be connected to the computer in Bluetooth mode, 2.4 GHz (less good battery life, but better quality) or wired. So I have the option of using it wired with my PC, and I can use it wirelessly with a laptop on the road or with a video game console if needed.

Tips for smaller budgets

If a lower resolution works for you (personally, I pretty much never play at more than 7200 DPI anyway, so I could easily do without a resolution above this limit), you can find very decent gaming mice for around $25 to $30.

Keyboard: SteelSeries Apex Pro

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The Apex Pro mechanical keyboard from SteelSeries.

Keyboards for video games are generally so-called mechanical keyboards, whose mechanism used is more sensitive than those of laptop computer keyboards, for example. These generally offer more finger-friendly feedback, in addition to registering your intention faster in games.

Gamer keyboards often have a host of other features as well, like customizable modes, extra buttons, and LED bulbs throughout. There are different key technologies (switches, or switches in French), which will have an impact on sound and touch in particular.

This is a subject that often arouses passions. Some hobbyists have their go-to switches (Cherry MX Red, for example), and turn their noses up at those unfortunate enough to use another kind. They are tiring. Like Anthony Michael Hall in Breakfast Club.

► What you need to know in 2021

Mechanical keyboards have a very big disadvantage in 2021: there is no French Canadian model (QWERTY). Zero. You can search, if you don't believe me. You will therefore have to settle for playing and writing with an English keyboard. It's not the end of the world, especially for playing, but for writing, some letters are then more difficult to type (like the Ù), and you will have to remember the position of certain keys, since the special characters will not be in the places indicated on the keyboard itself.

SteelSeries Apex Pro: Adaptive keys for gaming or work

Photo: Maxime Johnson

Every key on the Apex Pro can be customized.

My choice fell on the SteelSeries Apex Pro ($230), a one-of-a-kind keyboard that offers switches with per-key customizable sensitivity (0 actuation distance sensing, 4mm to 3.6mm). We can thus have a low sensitivity for writing (to avoid making mistakes by hanging keys by accident), and a greater sensitivity for gaming (with some even more sensitive keys, such as WASD).

The keyboard also offers a customizable OLED screen to display information and tell us which configuration is selected (we can have a configuration for gaming and one for work, for example, and switch between them at need).

And for those who like that sort of thing, each key has its own LED light.

Tips for smaller budgets

It's not the cheapest on the market, but the SteelSeries Apex 5 ($122) offers pretty much all the same features as the Pro , except for customizable switches. It's a perfectly acceptable compromise to pay half the price. Several generic brands are also even cheaper, especially if you opt for a keyboard that is not mechanical.

Five loose tips for building your first PC

Photo: Maxime Johnson

The PC is assembled. All that remains is to play.

Here are some additional tips for building your PC.

▷ Always think about the ventilation of the case

Several rooms have fans. Always make sure that these rotate in the right direction, so that the air enters on one side of your case and comes out on the other.

▷ Find the right tools

You only need a Philips screwdriver to assemble your computer, but I personally also like having a small pair of pliers to pick up the screws that sometimes fall out. During my installation, I also used plastic clamps (the good old tie-wrap) to hold certain cables together properly.

▷ Follow the guides

Your motherboard user manual should provide you with the steps to follow to install the components. This is your most important manual, but you should also follow the instructions that come with the other parts.

▷ When in doubt, Google

A coin seems surprisingly difficult to press down? Cable not going where it's supposed to go? If in doubt, don't force your hand, and do a search with your specific issue, including the name of the exact parts you are having an issue with. There will almost always be someone, somewhere, who has had the same problem as you.

▷ Plan a full weekend

Building a PC for the first time should take you about a day if all goes well. However, not everything will go well, and you will probably have to stop the operation at some point while you fix the problem. Allow two days for the operation.