Building Your First Gaming PC: A Beginner's Guide

Building a gaming PC seems intimidating, but it's like adult Lego – everything has a specific place. At SnapFix Repairs, we guide first-time builders through the process.

Essential Components

Processor (CPU)

The brain of your PC. AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processors offer great gaming performance without overspending.

Graphics Card (GPU)

Most important for gaming. Budget 30-40% of your total build cost here. RTX 4060 or RX 7600 provide excellent 1080p gaming.

Motherboard

Connects everything together. Match the socket to your CPU and ensure it has the features you need.

Memory (RAM)

16GB is the sweet spot for gaming in 2025. 32GB if you stream or do content creation.

Storage

Start with a 500GB-1TB SSD for your operating system and main games. Add traditional storage later if needed.

Power Supply (PSU)

Never cheap out here. A quality 650-750W 80+ Gold PSU protects your entire investment.

Case and Cooling

Good airflow prevents overheating. A decent case with 2-3 fans keeps everything cool.

Building Process

  1. Install CPU and RAM on motherboard
  2. Mount motherboard in case
  3. Install storage and PSU
  4. Connect all cables
  5. Install graphics card last
  6. Cable management and first boot

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting motherboard standoffs
  • Not connecting power to graphics card
  • Plugging monitor into motherboard instead of GPU
  • Panic when it doesn't start first try

Professional Assembly

We offer build services from £49, including component compatibility checking, assembly, cable management, and testing.

Post-Build Setup

Install operating system, drivers, essential software, and run stress tests to ensure stability.

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