How to choose components for a gaming PC
How to choose components for a gaming PC
Its been a long time since my last PC build, back when Intel was king and AMD was something to stay away from. Now I am seeing AMD is best for gaming PCs.
I am hoping for help in selecting components that are compatible with each other. I am trying to build the best gaming system for under $1400ish. I will be hopefully building within a month as I have the funds to buy it all now.
I will be installing Windows 10/11.
I will need a good monitor also. This is a PC for a girl, so will need a pink case.
What I have chosen so far, if you could give your advise on these selections:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/CgThqR
One other question, can 4k TVs be used for monitors? Thanks for helping me
To address your television inquiry, yes, a TV can function as a monitor. However, most current models lack a displayport input and rely on HDMI connections. This typically restricts them to 4K at 60Hz. If your graphics card supports HDMI 2.1 and you use a high-speed HDMI cable, and your TV supports 120Hz, you should be able to play games smoothly.
After doing some research, I’ve chosen an LG OLED C2 48-inch TV, available in both 42-inch and 48-inch sizes. These are not inexpensive options. If possible, consider checking a monitor in person for a better comparison.
Regarding the case selection, I recommend letting the buyer decide on the case type. It’s a personal choice. One strategy is to browse Newegg and filter for pink cases. Here’s an example link:
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16811353227
This model is in MATX size, so you’d need a different motherboard. You should be able to assemble it as planned.
My suggestions include using a 2TB M.2 SSD if you’re under $100. Good options would be Intel 670P or Samsung 970 EVO. Avoid focusing too much on artificial benchmarks—real performance is more important. The games are becoming larger, and most work involves random tasks. These systems didn’t show any noticeable difference in performance.
You can watch a comparison here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DKLA7w9eeA
Corsair RMx offers excellent quality; it’s a solid choice. If you plan to upgrade your GPU later, consider an 850W power supply. The market for PCs is competitive, and you generally get value based on your budget.
If you’re using an Intel system, the 4060TI falls into the same performance range. Are you currently using an Intel platform? If yes, opt for a build with experience. Graphics performance also depends on whether you’re using AMD or NVIDIA.
For cooling, if you plan a future GPU upgrade, aim for at least 850W. The PC market offers good value, and most components are priced according to your needs.
If you’re an Intel user, the 4060TI matches its performance level. Do you currently use an Intel system?
I appreciate the thorough response. Regarding the monitor, it’s best to stick with a 24" to 28" computer screen. What specifications should I focus on when choosing one? I plan to opt for a 2TB SSD rather than a 1TB one, and I’ll upgrade to an 850w power supply. For the build, I intend to use AMD unless there are more challenges with it compared to Intel. The case will likely be full-size, so I selected that size, and I’d also include airflow, right? As for the RAM, I’m not sure if you mean switching from DDR5 to DDR4? Thanks again for your assistance.
When constructing a gaming PC, allocate as much as possible to the top-tier GPU you can afford—some recommend dedicating half of your total budget to it. Your CPU is strong, but the GPU falls short at the lower end of 4K, typically around 1440p. You might reduce the CPU to a 7600/7600x model and upgrade the GPU to a 6800xt or even a 6950. Regarding memory, Ryzen 7000 requires DDR5 only, and it performs better with AMD EXPO rather than XMP settings.
On displays, it's ideal to view the candidates face-to-face. If not, visit a reliable review platform such as rtings.
The Top 5 Gaming Monitors of 2026
The highest quality monitor we evaluated is the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27UCDM. It offers a premium 4K, 240Hz display with a QD-OLED panel.
www.rtings.com
In my opinion, bigger screens provide a more immersive experience if space allows. Higher resolution appears clearer and can be adjusted for performance demands. Bigger cases accommodate more components. Modern ATX boards typically include seven expansion slots.
That was a practical solution in the past when users needed additional cards like sound or networking modules. Nowadays, motherboards integrate these features directly. For graphics cards, consider how many you'll use moving forward.
MATX models usually provide four expansion slots and fit neatly into compact cases without being too bulky.
In fact, a smaller case with the same cooling setup—such as two front 140mm fans and one 120mm rear exhaust—can deliver better airflow. The airflow is directed precisely where it's needed.
Regarding DDR4 versus DDR5, I note no significant performance difference.
AM5 boards require DDR5 support.
Choose a monitor that matches your budget and motherboard requirements.
DDR4-based systems are generally more affordable due to their age.
Exceeding the base RAM speed is overclocking; adjustments are needed via settings to boost voltage beyond the default for advertised speeds.
Intel chips can interpret speed, timing, and voltage data embedded in the RAM modules themselves—this process is known as XMP.
Ryzen processors rely on AMD EXPO to recognize these specifications.
Generally, compatible RAM works across Intel and AMD systems, though exceptions exist.
With Ryzen, performance closely depends on the processor speed.
This area can become complex.
It's optimal to pair Ryzen with explicitly supported RAM part numbers listed on the motherboard vendor's QVL.
The list details tested RAM models; other components may function if the vendor supports them for your CPU and board combination.
RAM compatibility issues are a notable challenge for AMD.
Previously, a common guideline was to allocate twice the CPU cost for a graphics card.
However, the mining boom disrupted that advice.
The principle was overly simplistic.
The type of games you play matters.
Fast-paced action titles at high resolutions demand a powerful GPU.
Conversely, CPU-heavy games—such as simulation, MMOs, and strategy titles—benefit from more than eight processing threads.
Online multiplayer games are an exception when many players join.
Refer to the recommendations provided for guidance.
Most users, including myself, tend to favor AMD or Intel.
I spend more time here than necessary, and I notice a higher frequency of problems with AMD products.
Not quite pink, but you can adjust the RGB values to achieve a pink tone:
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: Intel Core i5-13400 2.5 GHz 10-Core Processor
($207.99 @ Best Buy)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Assassin King SE ARGB 66.17 CFM
($22.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus ROG STRIX B760-A GAMING WIFI D4 ATX LGA1700
($169.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Timetec PINNACLE Konduit 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16
($53.99 @ Newegg Sellers)
Storage: Western Digital Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME
($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB
($359.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case
($79.00 @ Newegg Sellers)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 750 W
($99.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus TUF Gaming VG328H1B 31.5" 1920 x 1080 165 Hz Curved
($209.99 @ Newegg)
Overall Cost: $1303.83
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Generated by PCPartPicker
2023-08-29 06:54 EDT-0400
Pink mATX selection:
PCPartPicker List of Components
CPU:
Intel Core i5-13400 2.5 GHz 10-Core Processor
($207.99 @ Best Buy)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Assassin King SE ARGB 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
($22.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard:
ASRock B760M Pro RS/D4 WiFi Micro ATX LGA1700 Board
($149.99 @ Newegg)
Memory:
Timetec PINNACLE Konduit 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 RAM
($53.99 @ Newegg Sellers)
Storage:
Western Digital Black SN850X 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card:
XFX Speedster QICK 319 Core Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Graphics Card
($359.99 @ Amazon)
Case:
DIYPC ARGB-Q3 MicroATX Mini Tower Housing
($53.49 @ Newegg)
Power Supply:
Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 - TT Premium Edition 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($99.99 @ Amazon)
Monitor:
Asus TUF Gaming VG328H1B 31.5" 1920 x 1080 165 Hz Curved Display
($209.99 @ Newegg)
Overall Cost:
$1258.32
Costs encompass shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Created by
PCPartPicker
2023-08-29 08:21 EDT-0400
I'm happy you shared this, as I was also working on a comparable project. What adjustments would be necessary to incorporate an Intel i7 - 12700 processor into your current build? Newegg offers a bundle deal featuring the i7—what do you think about this option? You can check it out here: https://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDeal...bo.4562376. It's just under $50 more than what you mentioned. Appreciate your support!
The Mobo is an ATX sixe model. You should consider using the Montech Air 903 MAX case I mentioned earlier.
The motherboard is black with black RAM but RGB lighting. The bundle deal is really good.
You don’t need the 12700k; a 13400 would be sufficient for gaming and multitasking.