So you finally decided to switch to the big leagues, right? Good for you buddy, now you will experience gaming like nothing else in this world, take a long look at game consoles, you will breathe a sigh of relief when you finally get to see what a gaming PC can achieve when you manage the right build. Be ready to spend some money though, unlike a game console a PC build needs a proper budget, and you can get a machine that can last quite a few years right now with just about $1,800 to $2,000.
Let’s break down the main performance features you are looking for with a powerful gaming computer: the first one is power to process data, so going with anything under an i7 processor is out of the question, the second one is a build that avoids overheating at all costs, so you will need a liquid coolant system for this one. Next, you will need a lot of storage space a 1TB SDD to keep the OS of the machine running and an additional 3TB HDD to install every game, last but not least is state of the art components that can handle anything you want to play on it.
With that being said, here’s what you need to get your build up and running:
Processor: Intel i7-8700K
Certainly the most powerful CPU processor available right now just behind the newish i10. This updated version of the i7 processor offers some of the most potent capabilities when it comes to streaming, rendering, encoding, and handling data. It can take the specs of any game released on this year in a heartbeat.
Mother Board: MSI Z370 GAMING PLUS CFX Motherboard
For such a strong build we need the best plaque to administer every function of the main components correctly, and the MSI Z370 delivers on every sense. It works wonderfully with i7 processors, and it has a lot of expansion possibilities and up to six USB ports (two 2.0, four 3.1). This particular MOBO has overlocking capabilities and m.2 support
Memory RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB DDR4-3600 RAM
Gamers need machines able to multitask without compromising their performance. It doesn’t matter if you are using Steam or if you are playing installed games, 16GB RAM running at 3600 MHz can handle anything even with games that require a lot of space. You can try to go for 32GB but the differences you will experience given the specs of this build will be minimal.
Data Storage: Samsung 860 Evo 1TB M.2 Solid State Drive + HDD-Western Digital 3TB HDD
The math is really simple with this one: the SDD drive is set to hold your OS and install the games that you need to be online to play at all moments. Multiplayer experience will be significantly benefited from this distribution. The HDD is in place to hold down your data and install any single-player game, ROMs or indie games that you get as time goes by.
Cooling System: MasterLiquid M240L CPU Cooler
A quick visual inspection of this device will reveal a huge radiator that is pretty hard to miss. Once installed the RGB cooler will keep every corner of your gaming build fresh at all moments no matter how many hours you spend playing. The overlocking systems built on the cooling device prevents the CPU from experiencing any throttling.
GPU: EVGA GTX 1080 Ti 11GB Black Edition
Yes, we know there are more recent models that deliver high performance in true 4K HD, but no PC monitor can deliver the number of frames needed to use such an expensive investment right now (or at least not one within our proposed budget) the EVGA GTX 1080 Ti can handle titles with resolutions that go up to 1440p and further if needed.
Power Source Unit: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 850W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular PSU
A solid build like this one probably needs increased power, right? It feels good to say that you are wrong on that one. The great thing about these companies and the green policies they have been implementing to create their new parts is that most of them take less power to achieve their essential functions 850W will work fine to make your machine run smoothly.
Now you are set, you just need to assemble these parts correctly inside a Mid-tower case customized as you prefer and switch in on to enjoy video games in a whole new light!