Did you know that there are over 1.6 Billion PC gamers worldwide? Yes, you read that right! And if you’re thinking, “I wanna join them,” then building your PC is the perfect start. But hold up before you dive into cables and glowing fans. Ask yourself one simple question: What do I want this PC to do? Is it for everyday work, school, or gaming all night with friends? Knowing your goal helps you decide what kind of computer you should build and how much you will spend. Whether your budget is tight or flexible, planning is key. Additionally, once you start building a PC, you may want to make many upgrades to your electronics, and Ubuy can help.
Begin your PC-building journey with the PC picker tools that are available online. The tool tells you how parts fit together and check what is in the warehouse. In addition, look into more helpful websites, where you’ll find countless ready-made suggestions that guide you on how to build a PC.
Nowadays, putting together PC parts is less work and more fun. With all the exceptional cases, colourful lights, and coordinated accessories, it’s hard to stay simple if you just need a basic desktop machine. However, it is easy to get addicted to this world.
It might cost a little more than getting a pre-built computer & tablet. Well-known brands often get lower prices for parts by buying them in bulk and sometimes even start building themselves. Planning properly will make your custom computer as good as you want, and you can enjoy total control.
In that case, you’ve to consider certain factors while asking yourself how to build a PC that you need. It’s similar to putting together a puzzle. Some parts are ideally suited, some don’t work, and others can be used, although they are not the right ones. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to do, one step at a time.
Let’s think, what do you need to build a PC? Your entire PC build is influenced by the case you purchase. Larger cases provide ample space for SSDs, large graphics cards, and motherboards of the maximum size; smaller cases are more appropriate for settings with limited space, such as entertainment centres. Your motherboard selection and the computer’s power supply are influenced by the chassis you select.
When thinking about how to build a PC case, ask yourself would you like it to be placed on your desk, beneath it, or in a corner of a wall unit or bookcase? Traditional tower and mid-tower cases, which are typically 15 to 22 inches tall, flatter “desktop” cases that rest on their sides, and extremely small cases made for minimalist setups.
Before that, you must get a case to hold everything in your PC. However, some cases are more difficult than others. It is crucial to start by ensuring the motherboard you want is compatible. It’s common to group these into three categories: ATX (the full-size design), MicroATX (a tighter design with fewer slots), and Mini-ITX (extremely tiny and only one slot for graphics). You might come across larger boards called EATX, but don’t pick them up if you’re just starting.
The good news! When planning how to build a gaming PC, you often realise that you can use bigger cases on smaller boards. As a result, cases meant for ATX will also match both MicroATX and Mini-ITX standards. You prevent wasting space by ensuring your case fits your motherboard securely.
Like a body’s heart, the motherboard is the most important part, and everything else connects to it. A lot of expert builders say that selecting the motherboard is the starting point, and they make good sense. Every part of your computer, from the CPU to your storage, is influenced by your motherboard.
Choosing a motherboard, you should check if there are enough parts and slots on your computer for your hardware.
Specific CPU sockets and chipsets are found on every motherboard. Most people building a PC for the first time should pick between Intel’s LGA 1700 and AMD’s AM4 or AM5 sockets. Ryzen CPUs released in 2020 and later can use the AM5 socket, and budget builds will usually use AM4.
High-end boards such as the LGA 2066 and TRX40 are designed for hardcore users, but if you’re not into 8K videos or simulations, you won’t have to use them. Start with a simple question about how to build a PC. Have your motherboard calmly lead the system.
Your computer’s CPU is similar to the brain, but it won’t function if you don’t select the right motherboard. It is important to ensure the parts needed to build a PC are compatible before you buy, as they depend on each other.
The processor is your PC’s brain; it controls how fast things get done. If you’re browsing the web, watching videos, or doing homework, you don’t need the most powerful chip. But if you love gaming, editing videos, or running many apps at once, you’ll want something stronger.
Think about how you’ll use your PC, and then match your processor to that. A good rule? If you’re building your computer, try to go for at least a mid-range CPU, it gives you more power now and room to grow later.
Currently, computers use Intel’s current core generations and AMD’s Ryzen 5000 and 7000 series most often. When planning how to build a PC, You’ll find Intel Celeron and AMD Athlon on the low-cost end, but they only fit into budget pre-built machines.
If you don’t have enough for a quality Core or Ryzen CPU, buying a prebuilt PC is a better (and less costly) choice. After all, everything starts with a strong brain in any good build.
RAM helps your PC remember what it’s doing, like keeping apps open and running smoothly. But not all RAM is the same. Your motherboard and processor decide whether you need DDR4 or DDR5, so always check what your motherboard supports before buying.
Try to match the RAM’s speed with what your board allows. And if you’re using Intel, look for something called XMP. It automatically helps your RAM run at top speed. AMD users with Ryzen 7000 chips? Look for EXPO; it does the same thing.
As for how much RAM you need, 8GB is okay if you’re on a tight budget, but 16GB is much smoother for gaming and multitasking, going for 32GB? That’s great for creators and power users. Always use two sticks of the same type and size, they work faster together. Don’t mix different brands or speeds; your PC won’t like it.
Fancy lights? Sure, that’s the way to build a PC, some RAM comes with RGB if you’ve got a glass-sided case. But more important is compatibility. Check your motherboard’s QVL list, it tells you which RAM has been tested to work. Brands like Crucial and Kingston also offer tools to help you find the perfect match. Better safe than sorry.
How about building a PC storage that can take everything? Modern motherboards come with a solid-state boot drive in the M.2 format that supports PCI Express data transfers, but you can go in many other routes with your PC’s storage subsystem. Stick-of-gum M.2 drives provide access to the fast PCI Express (PCIe) bus, clear up cable clutter, and give more chassis space. PCI Express 4.0 drives have recently become the industry standard for high-end performance.
You can still install a traditional platter hard drive, which is far less expensive per gigabyte than an SSD. However, you should continue using SSDs because it’s likely that you won’t require more than 2TB of storage. Hard drives are a better option if you need 8TB, 10TB, or more mass storage, as most solid-state drives only have a 4TB capacity and are costly at that level.
The power supply might not be flashy, but it’s the heart of your PC. It gives every part the electricity it needs to run. If the PSU fails, it can take your whole system down and sometimes even damage expensive parts.
The tricky part? A PSU can look great on paper but still be unreliable. You shouldn’t pick one based on specs or online reviews. Stick to trusted brands, and always look for certification like “80 Plus”, it means the power supply is efficient and safer to use.
It’s safest to choose only trusted brands like Corsair, EVGA, Cooler Master, or NZXT since they offer trustworthy and well-tested products.
Using PCPartPicker lets you see the recommended wattage for your parts. Low power might cause your system to stop working or refuse to power up. If you do too many things at once, things will get less efficient. Efficiency is essential, and that’s what the 80 Plus Gold or Silver ratings are for.
Do you want to deal with fewer tangled cables? Try to get a modular power supply that permits you to use just the cables you need. Also, modern GPUs usually take a 12V-2×6 cable, so check if your power supply matches your GPU’s needs. In short, the PSU may be quiet, but it’s vital for everything else to work well.
If you’re surfing online or editing documents, you don’t need exceptional graphics. But if you’re interested in playing games, video editing, or using software that requires high graphics, a GPU is necessary for your gaming pc setup.
The most critical factors depend on what games or apps you use, the type of monitor, and how powerful your system requires.
Since 2008, there have been more than 100 million players of low-end pay-to-play PC games, and this year, there are 297.6 million. That’s why you should always check if your case is large enough, as graphics cards can be pretty big today. And if you’re using your computer’s integrated graphics, ensure your monitor has the proper connectors that your motherboard provides.
The leading brands for GPUs are Nvidia GeForce and AMD Radeon, and they cover many performance levels. All you need is a card that complements the things you want to do and isn’t too pricey when planning on how to build a PC. That’s why the gaming PC graphics hardware market is worth approximately $38 billion.
Planning how to build a PC doesn’t include Windows; you must get it on your own. You need to get a license from Microsoft or a reputable dealer and make a USB to help you install Windows yourself.
It is not as tough as it sounds if you go through the steps. The latest Windows offers an easy-to-use interface, a fast boot, safer browsing, enhanced game and work tool support. Virtual desktops, Xbox Game Bar, and a wide range of Microsoft Store applications are available to you, too.
Your PC won’t work correctly without installing Windows (or some other operating system). After setting up your computer’s hardware, installing the operating system is the only way to finish your build.
You’ve gathered all your parts, now comes the fun part: building your PC. This is where your planning becomes reality, and your machine starts to take shape. The process might vary slightly depending on your case, but let’s see how to build a pc step by step.
One golden rule: if a part doesn’t click into place, don’t force it. Gently remove it, realign, and try again. Patience pays off, and your dream setup is just a few clicks away.
Remove the side panels and set them aside with their screws. Clear your workspace.
Open the motherboard’s CPU socket, align the CPU with the arrows, and gently place it.
Attach your CPU cooler. Apply thermal paste if needed, and follow the cooler’s instructions.
Align the RAM sticks with the notches and push down until they click into place.
Place the PSU in the case, fan facing out, and screw it into place. Route the cables.
Screw the motherboard into the case. Connect the 24-pin and 8-pin power cables.
Insert the GPU into the PCIe slot and secure it with screws.
Mount SSDs or HDDs, then connect SATA and power cables.
Now, let’s make a full gaming PC setup with the monitor. Reattach the side panel and connect the monitor, keyboard, power accessories and mouse.
Boot into BIOS, confirm hardware and install your operating system via USB.
You’ve placed all the components of a computer with care and connected every cable, and now it’s time for the moment of truth. Press the Power button.
If your PC powers on and fans start spinning, congrats, you did it right! If it doesn’t boot up, don’t panic and give up. It’s common to miss a cable or forget a small connection. Go back through your steps patiently. Faulty parts are rare but not impossible. YouTube is packed with helpful troubleshooting videos; use them!
Once your PC turns on without any issues, great job! Now shut it down, plug in your Windows installer USB, and turn it back on. Most of the time, it’ll start installing Windows by itself.
If it doesn’t, no worries. Enter the BIOS (your motherboard manual will show you how), and set the USB drive as the first boot option. This tells your PC to look at the USB before anything else so Windows can begin installing the right way.
Once that’s done, let your PC begin its new life.
You can find all your essential PC components at Ubuy. From motherboards to graphics cards, Ubuy offers a wide range of genuine, top-quality parts at competitive prices. With fast shipping and excellent customer support, it’s your one-stop destination for building your dream PC.
To build the best regular or gaming computer, you’ll need a CPU, motherboard, RAM, storage (SSD/HDD), power supply (PSU), case, and optionally, a dedicated GPU. Ubuy offers all these components from top brands, making it easy to customise your build exactly how you want with just a few clicks.
For everyday use and light multitasking, 8GB RAM is sufficient. For gaming, content creation, or running demanding software, aim for 16GB or more. Explore a wide range of DDR4 and DDR5 RAM options on Ubuy to find reliable, high-speed memory modules for any performance need.
Building a PC can take a couple of hours to a few days, depending on factors such as experience, complexity, cable management, and OS installations. A newbie can take up to 3-5 hours, whereas experienced builders might take 1- 1/2 hours.
Ubuy content team consist of various writers specializing in different niches. They write blogs about different topics ranging from science, human relationships to the latest technology to share their thoughts, ideas and knowledge with the world.
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