Build smarter

How to choose your gaming PC.

Not sure where to start? This guide breaks down the parts that matter most so you can build a rig that matches your games, your monitor, and your budget.

What each part does

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Trunk's tip

Match the parts to how you actually play.

CPU (Processor)

The brain of your PC.

For pure gaming, an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel Core i7-14700K is plenty. If you also stream, edit video, or run heavy workloads, step up to a Ryzen 9 or Core i9. More cores help with multitasking, but high clock speed and cache win in most games.

GPU (Graphics Card)

The biggest factor in gaming performance.

Match your GPU to your monitor. RTX 4060 / RX 7600 are great for 1080p high refresh. RTX 4070 Super / RX 7800 XT crush 1440p. For 4K or ray tracing at high settings, look at RTX 4080 Super, 5080, or RX 7900 XTX.

RAM

16GB minimum, 32GB sweet spot.

Most modern games are happy with 32GB of DDR5-6000. Faster RAM can boost frame rates slightly, especially on AMD AM5 platforms. Go 64GB+ only if you edit video, run VMs, or do 3D work.

Motherboard

Everything plugs in here.

Your motherboard decides what CPU, RAM, and storage you can use — and how upgradeable your PC is later. Mid-range boards (B650 / B760) cover most gamers. Step up to X-series or Z-series for overclocking, more ports, and faster connectivity like USB4 and WiFi 7.

Storage

Speed and capacity matter.

A 1TB NVMe Gen4 SSD is the best starting point for most gamers. Add a 2TB or 4TB drive if you play a lot of AAA titles. Hard drives are fine for bulk media but not for your main game library anymore.

PSU (Power Supply)

Quiet, clean power for every part.

Never cheap out on the PSU — a bad one can take your whole build with it. 750W 80+ Gold covers most builds; high-end GPUs like the RTX 5080 or 5090 want 1000W+. Fully modular units keep cables tidy and airflow clear.

Cooling

Keeps performance consistent.

Air cooling and 240mm AIOs handle mid-range builds quietly. High-end CPUs and hot GPUs benefit from a 360mm AIO or a custom loop. Good airflow matters just as much as the cooler itself.

Case

Where your build lives.

Choose a case with mesh panels or good fan placement for airflow. Make sure it fits your GPU length, cooler height, and radiator size. A clean interior with cable-routing room keeps the build looking sharp and running cool.

Build by budget & goal

1080p Esports
$1,300 – $1,800

High frame rates in competitive titles like Valorant, CS2, and Fortnite.

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1440p All-Rounder
$2,000 – $2,800

Great for AAA games, streaming, and content creation at 1440p.

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4K / Ray Tracing
$3,000+

Max settings, 4K high refresh, and future-proofed performance.

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Extreme Custom Builds
$4,000+

Showroom-grade rigs with custom hardline loops, exotic cases, and flagship hardware built for the future.

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