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| Gaming PC Guide 2015 |
This guide were made specially for those who are new to computer or a gaming PC. All been explained in a simple terms. There are more to it but I just give simple explanation so readers can catch and understand what Gaming PC is all about.
First, here are some facts.
- Usually in Asia specially in Malaysia, the older the hardware, more expensive it get. Typical reason from all sellers is it hard to get and EOL (End Of Life) aka factory doesn't produce it anymore. Unlike in the West where older hardware price is lower than the new one.
- HDD < Hybrid (HDD + SSD) < SSD.
- Having a powerful processor doesn't necessarily mean you will get better graphic in gaming if you use a low-end graphic card and vice versa.
- Dual channel memory (aka dual platform) can only work if the mainboard support it.
- USB 3 and SATA 3 require support from the mainboard. If the mainboard doesn't support it, using one will only achieve whichever speed the mainboard can support.
- PS4/Xbox One are not even on par with Medium-End Gaming PC.
- As popular as it can be, DOTA 2 and LoL are considered games for Low-End PC since it doesn't require a high specs PC to play it.
- GTA V PC have been highly maximize that even with Low-End PC you will be able to play it with decent 30FPS.
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| Intel or AMD? |
Near the end of 2014, some Triple-A games require at least a quad core processor. The best example is the Far Cry 4 game which flat out reject dual core processor but there's a fix for this and it's not a problem anymore. However, this showed how developers tried to push end user to use highend PC and this will be a problem for a budget gamers. If you're not into Triple-A games and just go for the mainstream games like Dota 2 or any free MMORPG, then this shouldn't be a problem.
Intel
Intel G-Series, Core i3, i5, & i7. These processor are the most recommended since it have better performance on gaming and less power consume. Popular socket today are Sandy (LGA1155), Ivy (LGA1155) and the latest Haswell (LGA1150). G processor is the only series that doesn't have any HT aka Hyper-Threading technology. However, it still faster than any old Core2Duo and a good processor for gaming and suitable for a budget gamer.
Facts: Haswell is 10% more faster than Ivy. It also slightly more power efficient (lower Watt). With Haswell technology, it can bring out the full potential of SSD through native SATA 3 ports.
Tips: Make sure the processor socket are match with the mainboard.
Generation
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Socket
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Codename
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Processor
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2nd
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LGA1155
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Sandy
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G6xx, i3-2xxx, i5-2xxx,
i7-2xxx
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3rd
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LGA1155
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Ivy
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G2xxx, i3-3xx, i5-3xxx, i7-3xxx
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4th
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LGA1150
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Haswell
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G3xxx, i3-4xxx, i5-4xxx,
i7-4xxx
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AMD
AMD FX 6 cores & 8 cores are best for gaming. Recommended to get the "Black Edition" for better performance. Many agreed that FX-6350 and FX-8350 are the best processor for gaming. Despite the heat it produce if compare with Intel, this processor is definitely in a budget category since it have more cores and a slightly future proof.
Guide: Socket type, Speed and Cache
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| ATX, Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX? |
MOTHERBOARD / MAINBOARD
This hardware is the main hardware for your PC. All other hardware are directly connect to this board. Following info will determine what kind of mainboard that suit your need.
- Processor type (AMD, Intel - socket type)
- RAM type and speed. (DDR, DDR2, DDR3 - 400, 800, 1333, 1600, 2000, 2200, 3000 MHz)
- USB type. (USB, USB2, USB3)
- HDD data cable slot type. (IDE, SATA, SATA2, SATA3. e-SATA)
- PSU Power Pins. (20 pins or 24 pins)
- Graphic Card slot type. (PCI, AGP, PCI-E)
A good gaming mainboard at least will have, 16x PCI-E (GPU), SATA 2/3, USB 2/3 and 1333/1600 DDR3 RAM. If you are planning to do Sli/Crossfire in the future, get a mainboard that have 2-4 slots for the the graphic card.
Guide: Socket type, Power slot pin, RAM type & speed, Graphic card slot type, HDD data slot and other related hardware your require.
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| Normal RAM or Gaming RAM? |
RAM (Random Access Memory)
For 2012 and early 2013, DDR3 1333MHz RAM is the main choice for a gaming RAM but now, DDR3 1600MHz is the most recommended. There are more higher speed RAM available today such as 1866MHz and 2200MHz. Higher speed RAM doesn't necessarily that your RAM will achieve the maximum speed at first go. For example a 1600MHz RAM will only achieve 1333MHz speed as default. To get the maximum of 1600MHz speed, the mainboard must support RAM overclock feature. If your mainboard doesn't have this feature, using a 1600MHz RAM will only achieve the default speed which is 1333MHz.
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| HDD or SSD? |
STORAGE
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
- Never get any HDD that have speed lower than 7200rpm speed. Buying a HDD lower than 7200rpm speed will also mean you are buying an old HDD. 7200rpm HDD are considered basic stock speed for today market.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
- Faster than HDD. Although the price is quite high, you will never regret getting one of this beast.
Guide: Type, Size and Speed.
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| Nvidia or AMD Radeon? |
GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) / GRAPHIC CARD
Choosing a graphic card is all about what game you will play on the PC. You don't need a really highend and expensive graphic card just to play Angry Bird or Flappy Bird on the PC. Check on the official website of the game that you wish to play for the recommended graphic card.
Most mainboard today already have GPU chipset. Keep in mind that these chipset can only support Facebook, Flash games and some low graphics MMORPG. As a gamer myself, using a chipset graphics is a short term solution. You will start to see a huge improvement once you change to a better graphic card.
Intel HD Chipset - HD3000 above
Nvidia Graphic Card - GT and GTX Series.
AMD Graphic Card - R5, R7 and R9 Series.
Guide: Slot type, Memory, Core clock speed, VRAM speed, Bit.
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| Modular or Non Modular? |
PSU (Power Supply Unit / POWER SUPPLY
Choosing a PSU are based on total Watt all the hardware in PC will use. Best way to determine how many Watt your PSU will need is by using the graphic card as base. If the graphic card minimum requirement is 500W, then get at least 600W-700W PSU just to be safe. Keep in mind that basic PSU can achive maximum Watt of 60% but this depend on the manufacturer. Some basic PSU can achive more.
Choosing the quality of the PSU is not that hard. It use a system just like the Olympic medals which are Bronze, Silver and Gold. These are the quality of the components inside the PSU. You will also see the "80 Plus" label which means the PSU meets ECOS standards of achieving 80% power efficiency from the wall(plug load).
Modular - expensive price | better cable management | high quality parts.
Non-Modular - from low to expensive price | moderate cable management | from low to high quality parts.
*From my point of view, the only advantage modular PSU could give is when it be use with mini-ITX chassis with custom thin cables. Otherwise, it will be the same as non modular since we will use almost all the cables and slots available on the modular PSU..
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| Basic PC Case |
PC CHASSIS / CASING
Choosing a chassis are all about air flow and design. A chassis that have a really good air flow will give the PC better performance and longer lifespan. When I said design, I don't mean the outside appearance. What I mean is the inside layout design. Depending on what will you put in the chassis, having a really good layout for better cable management is quite helpful specially when you have many hardware inside.
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| Air Flow |
Air Flow
- Basic good air flow for a chassis is it have a front fan that suck the air to inside the PC and a rear/side fan to blow the air inside the PC out of the chassis. In other word, need 2 fans which one to suck the air in and another one to blow out the air. Having more fan mean more Watt will be pull out from the PSU.
Size
Keep in mind there are 3 types of chassis which is microATX, ATX and mini-ITX. The chassis size will determine which type of mainboard, PSU and graphic card that can be fit inside.
a) micro-ATX - medium size chassis. Use for all micro-ATX mainboard. Can support mini-ITX mainboard and some can support ATX mainboard. Popular among budget PC building.
b) ATX - big size chassis. Use for all ATX mainboard. Can support all type of mainboard. Suitable for PC enthusiast.
c) mini-ITX - mini size chasis. Use for all mini-ITX mainboard. Can only support mini-ITX mainboard. Some can even support micro-ATX mainboard. Suitable for Steam Machine alternative. Popular among people who like to have a smaller size PC. The downside is this chassis is usually available at high price.
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| Basic Intel cpu fan cooler. |
PROCESSOR/CPU COOLER
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| Fan type processor cooling |
Heatsink with Fan
- For using a heat sink with fan, you need to make sure the chassis have a good air flow. Otherwise you will just have the same temperature even if you're using the most expensive type. Depend on type and brand, you can get a silent PC with a tiny sound. This type of cooler doesn't need much maintenance accept cleaning the dust on the fan and heat sink once in a while.
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| Liquid type processor cooling |
Water Cooling
- This is the best cooling system ever. Zero noise and maximum cooling. Perfect for people that want maximum cooling. Although most cooling require tons of equipment and steps before using it, with new technology today we can get a basic simple water cooling system for the processor which require no maintenance. Although for the newbies, we're still just can't let go the feeling of the cooler got a leak for no reason when first time using it.
CONCLUSION
Building your own Gaming PC is not that hard. The only hard part (from my point of view) are making the decision on what type of PC we want to have. PC today is not like it used to be where all came in standard specifications just like a Laptop or a Notebook. Now we can freely choose whatever hardware we like to fit our need.
Here are some of terms that PC enthusiast use.
Proc - Processor.
Mobo - Motherboard or Mainboard
GPU - Graphic Processor Unit or Graphic Card
HDD - Hard Disk Drive or Hardisk
Hybrid HDD - HDD that are combined with SSD.
SSD - Solid State Drive.
PSU - Power Supply Unit or Power Supply
Chassis - Other name for PC Casing
TIPS
- When you are planning to get a new PC, the first thing in your mind should be the budget. Keep it real and accept the reality of your financial status. After that it will be easy to choose the hardware.
- If you are planning to get PC hardware separately and you are low on budget, get the RAM first because this is the only hardware that the price will not go down easily.
- Most news and reviews are bias towards some brand. From what I can see, most of the tested stats are just beautiful on the graph but no difference to the eyes. However it is your choice to choose what is the best for you.
Here are the lowest PC specification you should get if you are really low on budget. Getting a PC lower than these specification will only give low on performance and not really suitable for today gaming need.
1. Intel Socket LGA1155/LGA1150 Dual Core G-Series with 3.0GHz speed Processor
- Intel G-Series processor is the one to go for. Never ever go lower than this type.
2. Any brand mainboard/motherboard for Socket LGA1155/LGA1150.
- Based on your personal interest, just pick one that fit your needs as long as the mainboard is for Socket LGA1155/LGA1150 processor.
- Based on your personal interest, just pick one that fit your needs as long as the mainboard is for Socket LGA1155/LGA1150 processor.
3. 4GB 1333Mhz DDR3 RAM
- 4GB RAM are considered barely enough for today's gaming PC. Usually habits for PC gamer these days are playing games and open the wiki/walkthrough at the same times. 8GB RAM is the best for multitasking.
4. SATA HDD
- In today's market, most HDD use SATA 3. Only get SSD when you have extra cash to throw out.
5. 450W PSU
- Depending on what type of graphic card you will get. Some graphic card require 500W as minimum requirement.
6. GPU AMD R5 Series or Nvidia GTX Series- Usually Nvidia GT 640 is okay but when you start playing PC games, at some point you will need better graphics. At least get Nvidia GTX 650 or AMD R7 250 with GDDR5.
Hopefully this will help you understand a little bit on how PC works.
