How to Build a PC Gamer

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Thinking of building a PC Gamer? We built 4 machines to run games from Ultra up to 4K

Build a Gaming PC is the goal of many gamers, either for the flexibility that a computer gives us, or for the desire to run all games in maximum quality and with very high frame rates. However, this can be a challenge these days due to high prices and out-of-stock products.

With that in mind, we created this guide to help you in this mission, listing options and parts recommendations, as well as the process of assembling a PC gamer the best way possible – after all, we are talking about systems that must operate in a balanced way to work well and ensure the best possible gameplay.

If you prefer to follow visual directions, we also have a more general walkthrough on our Youtube:

To structure our guide, we selected configurations designed to 4 different user profiles, divided by resolution and by budget. However, we need to clarify some details.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a lack of product availability, which in turn led to high prices for video cards and hardware, as happened in everything. Currently, with the gradual resumption of activities, this situation has begun to improve, but it is important to keep this scenario in mind, since it will be difficult to assemble a PC Gamer without investing a certain amount of money.

With that in mind, and in terms of cost-effectiveness, the following settings are at the limit of what we expect, that is, to run games in ultra quality at 60 frames. However, it is worth mentioning that decreasing one or another anti-aliasing filter, vegetation or shadows, always raises the frame rate, and the graphical difference can be minimal.

See also our video about what's inside the computer:

What are the components of a PC Gamer?

In case you don't have much knowledge about the world of machines gamer, let's review the basic components of a machine.

Processor

Starting with processor, Or the CPU, this is the part that performs all the logical calculation for the system to work. It is divided into cores, that is, small processing units to perform tasks independently. So, a processor quad-core ou hexa-core, for example, has multiple independent cores that function as individual CPUs.

In the beginning, these multiple nuclei were enough for most people, however, with the evolution of software e hardware, another, even greater division of tasks was necessary. Thus arose the threads, processes created to perform tasks faster according to the volume of demands.

In games, titles with online multiplayer and open maps, such as Call of Duty: War zone e Fortnite, usually require a lot of processors, and it is recommended to invest at least in CPUs with 6 cores. The same is true for offline titles such as Assassin's Creed Valhalla e Red Dead Redemption II.

To find out how many cores and threads a computer has, just go to the manufacturer's website, choose the product and check the technical information. The Intel Core i7 2600 processor, for example, has four cores and eight threads.

intel processor
Intel Core i7 2600 processor has 4 cores and 8 threads

Motherboard

A motherboard it is the piece that brings together all the pieces of a PC and unites all the commands so that they work together. It is important to know that each motherboard has a type of socket for the processor.

The socket is the placement of the CPU on the board, and AMD and Intel use different standards. Also, from time to time they update this entry (as new generations of their products arrive).

Choosing a good motherboard is synonymous with system stability, so choose trusted brands like ASUS, Gigabyte and MSI for example.

Motherboard
The motherboard socket is where the processor will be installed (Credit: Zoom)

RAM

A RAM memory, in turn, is a small module that fits into the slots of the motherboard and has the function of providing agility for the operation of any PC, as it works together with the processor in the transmission of data and information about installed applications. Unlike other types of storage, RAM does not save the files inside it, and every time the PC is turned off this information is deleted.

For games, it is interesting to install the memories in Dual ou Quad Channel, each comb in one slot to guarantee more stability and performance to the system.

Storage

Speaking storage, HD it's that piece responsible for storing all our files, but you should already know that. Currently, there is also the standard of SSDs, which lacks a rotating disk (hence the name Hard Disk). As a result, SSDs are much faster at loading these files, but also generally more expensive.

There is also the format NVME M.2, which looks a lot like a stick of RAM. It is also an SSD, only faster, and it plugs directly into a specific connection of compatible motherboards, different from the regular SSD and HD, which need a SATA cable for the connection.

Nowadays the use of an SSD is no longer a luxury, but an item indispensable No. setup of a gaming PC, as the latest games are being developed with this type of storage in mind.

Video card

A video card she's always the star of our show and she's responsible for generating image and taking the hit in games. Currently, AMD and NVIDIA are the companies that produce these products, and the better resolution and graphics quality you want in games, the more expensive you will have to pay for GPUs (graphics processing units).

It is also good to remember that the amount of VRAM memory, that is, the video memory of a card, does not determine whether it is better or worse than another.

AMD's RX 6000 line and NVIDIA's RTX family are equipped with Ray Tracing by acceleration of hardware. This feature allows greater fidelity in reflections and lighting in games, generating an almost real-life look. There is also the DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling, which uses artificial intelligence to render at lower resolutions, ensuring the same graphic quality and with more frames.

source and cabinet

Neglected by many, the source is of extreme importance, as it takes a robust product, with high energy efficiency and with all the cables necessary to assemble a gaming machine, in addition to a sufficient Watt count to support parts that consume a lot of energy, such as the video card.

Finally, the cabinet is one of the most subjective pieces we can comment on. That's because there are a multitude of models, with countless ways to assemble. We only recommend a case with good air circulation, good dust filter, solid and robust construction, space for fans (fans) and to the video card if it is too big.

Before we get into our guide on how to build a PC Gamer, we need to list some items that will accompany us through all the settings. The first one is RAM memory, and for all machines we will use 16 GB of RAM (2×8) at 3200 Mhz Corsair Vengeance. The 16 GB is already indispensable to run games and less than that will definitely compromise our experience. The memory kit costs R$ 579 in the Free Market.

The other item is a 1TB internal HD from Seagate that could not be missing, since we are talking about a PC Gamer and games are getting bigger and bigger in terms of disk space. The HD can be found by R$ 264 in the Free Market.

PC Gamer to run on Ultra at 1080p

Moving on to our tutorial on how to build a PC Gamer, let's start with a category that gamers are very interested in, the Ultra em 1080p a 60 frames, a task that has not been easy not only because of the high price of the components, but mainly because of their unavailability in large retailers.

To run our games, we choose the Intel Core i5-12400, a 6-core CPU and 12 threads, perfect for running the current games. The product is for BRL 1.580 at Magazine Luiza. To complement, we need a good motherboard. Our choice is Gigabyte B460M, ideal for our hardware. The piece comes out by BRL 1.162 in the Computer Balloon.

As it could not be otherwise, the star of the moment is certainly the video card of our PC Gamer, and the PULSE RX 5500XT da Sapphire will withstand current games in high quality at 1080p resolution, leaving for BRL 2.067 in the Computer Balloon.

To power our entire system, a 500W power supply from EVGA, more than enough to take the hit, and leaves for about R$ 454 in the Free Market. To group all these components together we need a good cabinet, and the PICHAU GADIT is our choice, as it combines a good look and price, costing BRL 563 at Pichau.

Altogether, building a Gaming PC to run everything on Ultra at 1080p was more difficult than we thought due to numerous factors, but in total, the machine costs a little less than R$6000 and should suit gamers' needs well. However, we need to recommend good peripheral devices (optional) to close the equation, and here we will use the same options from our list to build a cheap gaming PC.

For the mouse, we have the Logitech G203By BRL 169 at Magazine Luiza. The G203 delivers up to 8.000 DPI with 6 customizable buttons and has RGB LIGHTSYNC technology, which makes the product design very beautiful. For the keyboard, we recommend the Redragon Kumara, R$ 264 at Amazon, a mechanical keyboard with Switch like brown, silent and very accurate. Because it is more compact, the keyboard does not have the numerical part, but comes with the ABNT2 layout and key lighting.

To mousepads,  Fury Speed ​​S it's a great option. It has a perfectly smooth surface and edges sewn with a natural rubber and is very comfortable. R$ 88 on Amazon. When we talk about a headset good and cheap, the Logitech G332 comes into play – a wired headset and flexible, adjustable microphone that can be easily muted, quick volume adjustment and compatibility with PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. The model is found by R$ 250 at Amazon.

Finally, our gaming machine wouldn't be complete without a respectable monitor, and the Samsung LC24F390, Full HD, LED model with 1800R curvature is our choice. The screen is 24 inches and guarantees support for AMD Freesync technology, which makes games more fluid. The model costs BRL 1250 on the Submarine.

However, if you're willing to shell out a little extra money for the monitor, a premium option is the Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM, which has 27 inches and a refresh rate of 240Hz – Samsung's is 60Hz. The piece is for R$ 4.800 at Amazon.

Premium monitor for gaming pc
The premium Asus TUF Gaming VG279QM monitor
ProcessorIntel Core i5-12400
MotherboardGigabyte B460M
coolerIntel cooler box
RAM16GB (2×8) Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz
HDSEAGATE 1TB 7200RPM
SSD
Video cardSAPPHIRE PULSE RX 5500 XT Dual-X, 8GB, GDDR6
Pig ironEvga Atx 550w Pfc Active 100-n1-0550-l0 Gamer
Cabinet PICHAU GADIT
MouseLogitech G203
KeyboardRedragon Kumara
MousepadHyperX FurySpeed ​​S
HeadsetLogitech G332
MonitorSamsung LC24F390

PC Gamer to run on Ultra in QUAD HD

O QUAD HD (1440p) is the mid-range resolution between 1080p and 4K, an interesting position for many gamers. To build a gaming PC of this caliber we need to level up some parts, like the processor, for example. In that case, we will use the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X to hexa-core com 12 threads, similar to the previous model, but for this gaming machine it was our main candidate. The CPU costs R$ 1.560 at Amazon.

For this, we will also need a new motherboard, and this time the chosen one is the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk, which will serve us perfectly, costing R$ 1.730 in the Free Market. It supports the NVME 2.0 SSD standard, for which we chose the model Western Digital Blue SN550 of 500GB, costing R$ 550 at Amazon.

The famous video card is a rather complicated subject. Our main choice would be the RTX 2070 SUPER, but the lack of stock didn't let us find this GPU in an acceptable way on the market anymore - the same goes for the RTX5700XT. The most economical solution we found is the RTX 2060, a good card, but to reach 60 frames you need to give up some filters or effects. The PCYES Graffiti model costs BRL 2.500 at Kabum.

Another option, more powerful but more expensive, is the RTX 3060 Ti. The card has enough performance to even run games in 4K, however, the cheapest model found and approved by us is the ASUS Dual Fan, coming out for R$ 3.999 at Amazon, which increases (and a lot the price) of our PC Gamer. So, here is the user who must decide according to his pocket and the availability of the products.

The font for this gaming machine depends on the card chosen, but in general, the Corsair CV SERIES CV650 takes care of the message and leaves for R$ 586 in Americanas. Thus, our office could not be other than the Corsair Carbide Series Spec Delta RGB, a beautiful mid-tower that leaves for BRL 702 at Americanas.

In the end, the price of our PC to run in QUAD HD will mainly depend on your choice of video card. With the RTX 2060, the machine costs BRL 7.628, and with the recent RTX 3060 Ti, the value rises to BRL 9.127.

Now, speaking of peripherals, we bring the mouse HyperX Pulsefire Raid, a gaming mouse with 16.000 DPI, and 11 buttons programmable through the with HyperX NGNUITYBy R$ 190 at Kabum. The chosen keyboard is Logitech Prodigy G213, a membrane keyboard with ABNT2 layout, dedicated media control, RGB LIGHTSYNC, splash resistant keys, technology anti-ghosting and adjustable hand rest, R$ 265 at Amazon.

O Cloud Stinger S. is our headset of choice, going out for R$ 370 at Amazon. The model is part of the company's cost-effective line and is a great gamer headset, adding comfort, durability, great sounds and an average microphone, but that meets the gamer's needs well. For the mousepad, we selected the gigantic HyperX Fury, R$ 200 at Amazon.

Finally, the monitor chosen for this PC Gamer is the Dell S3422DWG, with a 34-inch curved screen and 144 Hz refresh rate that is BRL 3.870 at Magazine Luiza.

ProcessorAMD Ryzen 5 5600X
MotherboardMSI MAG B550 Tomahawk
coolerAMD cooler box
RAM16GB (2×8) Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz
HDSEAGATE 1TB 7200RPM
SSDWestern Digital Blue SN550
Video cardRTX 3060 Ti ASUS Dual Fan / RTX 2060 PCYES GRAFFITI SERIES
Pig ironCorsair CV SERIES CV650
CabinetCorsair Carbide Series Spec Delta RGB
MouseHyperX Pulsefire Raid RGB
KeyboardLogitech Prodigy G213
MousepadHyperX Fury Extra Large
HeadsetHyperX Cloud Stinger S
MonitorDell S3422DWG

PC Gamer to play on Ultra in 4K

Moving on, our guide on how to build a PC Gamer reaches the level of 4K, and here the sky is already the limit (or almost). If in the previous configuration we raised the bar with some specs, it's time to bring out the best in hardware.

Our processor choice for this gaming machine is the Intel Core i7-12700K, with 12 cores and 20 threads, perfect for games and heavier applications like editing and rendering. The model is found in Kabum for BRL 2.800. The motherboard chosen was the Asus TUF Gaming X570-PLUS, which is by BRL 1.400 at Kabum.

Another combo with slightly cheaper options is the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, a powerful eight-core, 16-thread processor that costs BRL 1.970 at Pichau and the motherboard ASUS TUF B550M-PLUS, found in Kabum for BRL 920.

In this case, the final choice is always the reader's, and we are only presenting the possibilities for your PC Gamer. Both motherboards have connectivity with the NVME M.2 standard, so we recommend the WD Black SN750 1TB, found in Amazon for R $ 913, and the water cooler MasterLiquid ML120L V2 RGB da Cooler Master to cool everything, leaving for R$ 500 at Amazon.

The video card that we use in this gaming machine is the RTX 3070, which turned out to be very good for 4K, even if we sometimes have to download one or another filter. It is important to point out, however, that options such as anti-aliasing are heavy, and the resolution is already high enough not to harm our image.

The most affordable model found was a Dual Fan OC by ASUS, for BRL 4.700 on Kabum. For those looking to buy a beefier model, ASUS TUF Gaming is a great choice, coming out for 7.049 on Amazon. On the other hand, the RX 6800 seems like such an interesting option. The model of PowerColor is very similar to Radeon's reference project, and costs BRL 8.109 at Kabum.

Moving on to the next items in this guide on how to build a PC Gamer, a 750 W power supply like Corsair CX750 from the errand, and it costs R$ 750 in the Free Market. Our office is the most beautiful Cooler Master MasterBox Q300P, BRL 650 at Pichau.

In total, the value of this amazing gaming machine will vary depending on your choice of processor to mainboard. With Intel, the PC costs R$11.713, and with AMD configurations the price goes to R$10.403. However, if you opt for more robust graphics cards, the final value of your PC Gamer will also increase.

For the choice of our mouse, we select the Razer Mamba Elite, equipped with excellent 16.000 DPI, 9 programmable buttons, improved ergonomics standard to fit in the hand. The peripheral is perfectly suited for those who want to jump right into the world of Esports. O Razer Mamba Elite costs R$ 319 at Amazon. The mousepad remains the HyperX Fury.

For keyboard, our option is the Logitech G613, a wireless mechanical keyboard with a more discreet appearance, the peripheral features the company's exclusive Romer-G switch, which guarantees precise and silent performance, six programmable keys and connection via Bluetooth or LIGHTSPEED technology. It costs R$700 on Amazon.

The headset we chose to accompany this gaming machine is the HyperX Cloud Core II, one of the best headphones aimed at the gamer audience, as it combines an internal and external construction of extreme quality and comfort for the player, added to its great microphone. O peripheral is available at Amazon for R$569.

A good 4K monitor could not be left out, and the Asus ROG Strix is our chosen. The device has a 32-inch screen and 144 Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time.

ProcessorIntel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
MotherboardASUS B460M Plus / ASUS TUF B550M-PLUS
coolerMasterLiquid ML120L V2 RGB
RAM16GB (2×8) Corsair Vengeance 3200MHz
HDSEAGATE 1TB 7200RPM
SSDWD Black SN750
Video cardRTX 3070 ASUS Dual Fan / RX 6800 Power Color
Pig ironCorsair CX750
CabinetCooler Master MasterBox Q300P
MouseRazer Mamba Elite
KeyboardLogitech G613
MousepadHyperX Fury Extra Large
HeadsetHyperX Cloud Core II
Monitor Acer Nitro XV280K

Bonus: The Showmetech SuperPC

Our guide on how to build a PC Gamer is coming to an end, and although we have already created a machine to run in 4K, we want to present a last configuration with the best on the market today.

Our processor choice for this gaming machine is the Intel Core i9-12900K, with 16 cores and 24 threads, perfect for games and heavier applications like editing and rendering. The model is found in Kabum for BRL 4.200. The motherboard chosen was the Gigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro, ideal for taking your PC to the next level. The piece is for BRL 3.400 at Pichau.

Another more affordable configuration is the Ryzen 9 5900X, with an impressive 12 cores and 24 threads, which is BRL 2.600 at Kabum, and the motherboard ROG Strix Z490-H Gaming, BRL 2.967 in the Computer Balloon. To cool our system well, we chose the water cooler Corsair iCUE H100i PRO XT Hydro Series, BRL 1.858 in Extra.

Here, specifically, we changed the RAM memory, bringing 2 kits of 16GB (2×8) from HyperX Predator of 3200 Mhz, for BRL 962 (each) on Amazon. Plus a 2.0TB NVME 1 SSD WD Black SN750 Heatsink, on Americanas for BRL 913.

The video card chosen would be the powerful GeForce RTX 3080, specifically the model GamingPro from PCYES, however the board as a whole is no longer available on the market at this time. In contrast, the RX 6800 XT ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon is another excellent option, costing going for 6.000 at the Terabyte Shop. However, it does not have the option of DLSS to help increase frame rates. There is one more card that we can recommend, which is a little more expensive: the RTX 3090 ASUS TUF Gaming, only… R$ 14.000 at Kabum.

A Corsair Platinum Modular HX850 is the source chosen by us for this machine, costing R$ 1.930 at Amazon. The cabinet is Cooler Master MasterBox TD500 Crystal, R$ 850 at Kabum.

In total, this super PC Gamer Showmetech comes to cost a surreal R$ 27.042, if accompanied by the RTX 3080. The value decreases if the GPU chosen is the RX 6800 XT. The machine is suitable for enthusiasts in the area or those who really want to go hard in professional applications.

Our mouse recommendation goes to the Razer Viper Ultralight lives up to the brand for being very light, compact and accurate. The model has 16.000 DPI and 8 buttons, in addition to a beautiful RGB lighting technology. The model costs BRL 528 at Shopee.

The keyboard is a classic, Corsair K70 RAPIDFIRE is one of the best mechanical keyboards today, populating the high-end segment. It is equipped with MX Speed ​​switches that provide superior tactile response and responsiveness, customizable RGB lighting, anodized aluminum housing and wrist rest, anti-ghosting technology, and built-in multimedia control. O K70 RAPIDFIRE costs BRL 906 at Americanas.

The headset could not be other than the Corsair HS60 Pro 7.1, a headset aimed at the high segment, as it comes with 7.1-channel virtual surround sound to give even more immersion in matches, is very flexible, covered in plush and is compatible with PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. O Corsair HS60 costs $ 424 on Amazon.

Finally, the monitor chosen for this gaming PC is the Asus ROG Strix, which has a 32-inch screen, 144 Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. The piece is for R$ 7.900 at Amazon.

ProcessorIntel Core i0-12900K
MotherboardGigabyte Z690 Aorus Pro
coolerCorsair iCUE H100i PRO XT Hydro Series
RAM32GB (4×8) HyperX Predator 3200MHz
HDSEAGATE 1TB 7200RPM
SSDWD Black SN750 Heatsink
Video cardRX 6800 XT ASUS TUF Gaming / RTX 3090 ASUS TUF Gaming
Pig ironCorsair Platinum Modular HX850
CabinetCooler Master MasterBox TD500 Crystal
MouseRazer Viper Ultralight
Keyboard Corsair K70 RAPDIFIRE
HeadsetCorsair HS60 Pro 7.1
MousepadHyperX Fury Extra Wide
MonitorAsus ROG Strix

Finally, we reiterate that the guide on how to build a PC Gamer in 2022, this article specifically, was not created with the cost per frame in mind, but rather the best (and available) for each segment today. Also remembering that the cost of parts can change over time, so the values ​​presented here are not permanent.

Did you like the choices? What would your ideal machine be? write to us Comment.

See also other features

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