PC Buying Guide-Assembled Desktop Personal Computer
Introduction
Building your own desktop computer might be a rewarding and affordable choice if you're looking to purchase one. With so many parts and options available, selecting the right components can be a difficult challenge. We'll provide you some fundamental knowledge in this buying guide so you can assemble your own desktop Computer with ease.
Major Components
Processor
The most crucial part of a desktop computer is the CPU, sometimes known as the central processing unit. It oversees carrying out the computations and instruction execution that the software and operating system demand. You must consider variables like clock speed, the number of cores, cache size, and thermal design power (TDP) when selecting a CPU. For routine activities like web browsing, video playing, and simple gaming, mid-range processors like the Intel Core i3 and i5 provide good performance.
If you intend to use your computer for demanding tasks like video editing, rendering 3D models, or gaming, you should consider a higher-end processor like the Intel Core i7 and Core i9.
Below, we list the processors that already have integrated graphics. You may determine whether a processor has integrated graphics or not by reading its specifications. It must be mentioned in the processor specification under the heading Processor Graphics, for example, Intel® UHD Graphics 630 or Intel® UHD Graphics 730.
If your work is limited to learning (college or school), online browsing, most duties that can be done from home, simple gaming, simple programming, regular office tasks, or early stages graphic design, integrated graphics are sufficient. A dedicated GPU card is required if you are an enthusiastic gamer, video editor, bitcoin miner, high-end programmer, or use 3D modelling software or other similar programs.
The following is a list of Intel Core Processors known for their superior performance in their class:
Intel® Core™ i3-10100T Processor (10th Generation, 6M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz, Intel® UHD Graphics 630) for LGA 1200 Socket (US Buyer / India Buyer)
Intel® Core™ i3-12100 Processor (12th Generation, 12M Cache, up to 4.30 GHz, Intel® UHD Graphics 730) for LGA 1700 Socket (US Buyer / India Buyer)
Intel® Core™ i5-10400 Processor (10th Generation, 12M Cache, up to 4.30 GHz, Intel® UHD Graphics 630) for LGA1200 (US buyer / India Buyer)
Intel® Core™ i5-12600K Processor (12th Generation 20M Cache, up to 4.90 GHz, Intel® UHD Graphics 770) for LGA1700 (US buyer / India buyer)
Motherboard
The main circuit board that links all the parts of a desktop computer is called the motherboard. For the processor, RAM, storage, graphics card, and other peripherals, it offers interfaces. You must consider the type of CPU socket, chipset, form factor, expansion slots, and connectivity options (Keyboard connectivity PS2 or USB, VGA/HDMI, DP Port, Audio, USB, Number of USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports, LAN-Ethernet Port) into account when opting a motherboard. The CPU socket type (LGA1200 or LGA 1700) needs to be compatible with the CPU you intend to use. The motherboard's features and capabilities, including as overclocking support, storage choices, and networking, are determined by the chipset. The size and structure of the case (cabinet) you will need for your construction depend on the form factor (Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX or E-ATX) of the motherboard. The expansion slots allow you to add more components similar as a graphics card or sound card, while the connectivity options determine the number and type of ports available on the motherboard. The following is a list of motherboards known for their superior performance in their class:
ASUS Prime H510M-E LGA1200 (Intel® 11th/10th Gen) Micro-ATX Motherboard (PCIe 4.0,M.2 Slot, 1Gb LAN, DP,HDMI, D-Sub, USB 3.2 Gen 1, COM Header, TPM Header, 4K@60Hz) (USA buyers / India Buyers)
ASUS Prime H610M-E D4 LGA 1700 (Intel 12th Gen) mATX Motherboard (PCIe 4.0, DDR4,2xM.2 Slots,1Gb LAN, DisplayPort/HDMI/D-Sub, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Ports, SATA 6 Gbps, COM Header, RGB Header) (USA buyers / India buyers)
GIGABYTE H610M S2H DDR4 (H610/ Intel LGA 1700/ Micro ATX/ DDR4/ Single M.2/ PCIe 4.0/ USB 3.2 Gen1/ Realtek GbE LAN/Motherboard) (USA buyers / India buyers)
Memory
Random Access Memory or RAM is a type of computer memory that's used to store data that the computer is presently using. When choosing RAM, you need to consider factors similar as the capacity, speed, and type. utmost desktop computers use DDR4 RAM, and for most users, 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM is sufficient.
However, you may want to consider 32 GB or further, If you plan on using your computer for further demanding tasks similar as video editing or running virtual machines. The speed of RAM is measured in MHz, and the advanced the speed, the faster the memory can transfer data.
ADATA, Crucial and Corsair are well known brands known for their best performances. Remember if you are planning to buy RAM then you must ensure to buy right processor in combination with RAM. For example, if you have bought Intel Core i3 10100 Processor and Asus Prime 510m-e motherboard and Crucial 8GB 3200Mhz RAM then your computer will show that you are using 2666Mhz RAM because Maximum supported memory speed by Intel Core i3 10100 is 2666Mhz RAM.
Also read about XMP and EXPO
Storage
Storage is where your data and operating system are stored. There are two main types of storage Solid- State Drives (SSDs) and Hard Disk Drives ( HDDs). SSDs are faster and more reliable than HDDs, but they're more expensive. HDDs are slower but further affordable and offer larger capacities. When choosing storage, you need to consider your budget, storage requirements, and performance conditions.
Types of SSD:
SATA SSD: These are the most common type of SSDs and are compatible with utmost laptops and desktop computers. They use the same interface as traditional hard drives and are available in both 2.5- inch and M.2 form factors.
NVMe SSD: These SSDs use the PCIe interface and are faster than SATA SSDs. They're available in M.2 form factors and are generally used in high- performance laptops and desktops.
NVMe SSDs can give up to six times faster read and write speeds compared to SATA SSDs, which is especially beneficial for tasks that bear large quantities of data to be reused quickly. Read/ write speeds of the top NVMe SSDs can exceed 3000 MB/s (3 GB/s), with some Gen 4 NVMe PCIe SSDs capable of 7500 MB/s.
Our team would personally suggest using a SSD as the boot drive and for constantly used operations and a larger HDD for storing large files.
The following is a list of motherboards known for their superior performance in their class:
For Operating system and software:
Crucial P3 500GB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 3500MB/s - CT500P3SSD8 (US buyer / India Buyer)
WD_BLACK 1TB SN770 NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 5,150 MB/s - WDS100T3X0E (USA buyer / India buyer)
For Data Storage or as Secondary Storage Device:
Western Digital 1TB WD Blue PC Internal Hard Drive HDD - 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache, 3.5" - WD10EZEX (USA Buyers / India buyers)
Seagate BarraCuda 2TB Internal Hard Drive HDD – 3.5 Inch SATA 6Gb/s 7200 RPM 256MB Cache (USA buyers / India buyers)
Graphics Card
A graphics card or video card is a component that's responsible for rendering graphics and video. It's essential for gaming, video editing, and other graphics-intensive tasks. When choosing a graphics card, you need to consider factors similar as the GPU, memory capacity, clock speed, and power conditions.
Mid-range graphics card similar as the Nvidia GTX 1660 offer excellent performance for most users. However, you may want to consider a advanced- end graphics card similar as the Nvidia RTX 3080, If you plan on using your computer for high-end gaming or professional video editing.
Following are some good graphic cards:
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB GDDR6 192-bit Gaming Graphics Card, Super Compact, ZT-T16620F-10L (USA buyer)
ASUS pci_e_x16 TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti EVO OC Edition Graphics Card (PCIe 3.0, 6GB GDDR6, HDMI 2.0b, DisplayPort 1.4, Space-Grade Lubricant, Compact Design, GPU Tweak II) (USA Buyer / India Buyer)
ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti OC Edition Graphics Card (PCIe 4.0, 12GB GDDR6X, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, Dual Ball Fan Bearings, Military-Grade Certification, GPU Tweak II) (USA buyer / India buyer)
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
The power supply unit or PSU is responsible for furnishing power to all the components of a desktop computer. When choosing a PSU, you need to consider factors similar as the wattage, efficiency, and modular or non-modular design.
The wattage of the PSU should be sufficient to power all the components in your build, with some headroom for future upgrades. Consider the power conditions of your chosen components and conclude for a PSU with at least 80 Bronze effectiveness rating.
Following are some good Power Supply Units:
Cooler Master MWE 550 (USA buyer / India Buyer)
Corsair (USA buyer / India buyer)
Case / Cabinet
The case or cabinet is the shell that holds all the components of your computer. Choose a case that fits the size of your motherboard and has enough room for your chosen components. Consider the design, cooling options, and any newest features you may need.
Following are some good Cases / Cabinets known for their build and support:
Corsair 4000D Airflow Tempered Glass Mid-Tower ATX PC Case – Black – USA Buyer (https://amzn.to/3YZQnTT) (India buyer)
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L Micro-ATX Tower with Magnetic Design Dust Filter, Transparent Acrylic Side Panel, Adjustable I/O & Fully Ventilated Airflow, Black (MCB-Q300L-KANN-S00) (USA buyer / India Buyer)
Peripherals
Eventually, consider the peripherals you will need for your desktop computer. This includes a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and etc. Choose peripherals that fit your requirements and budget.
Following are some good options:
Monitor
HP P22va G4 21.5 inch 1080P Computer Monitor, Full HD Anti-Glare VA Display, 3000:1 Contrast Ratio, HDMI, VGA, VESA Mount, Low Blue Light Mode, Ideal for Home and Business, Black (2022 Latest Model) (USA buyer / India buyer)
Dell S2721QS 27 Inch 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Ultra-Thin Bezel Monitor, AMD FreeSync (HDMI, DisplayPort), VESA Certified (USA buyer / India buyer)
Keyboard and Mouse
It's recommended to use a wireless keyboard, as it lays out maximum ease for doing your work.
Logitech MK270 / MK275 Wireless Keyboard And Mouse Combo For Windows, 2.4 GHz Wireless, Compact Mouse, and Shortcut Keys (USA Buyer / India Buyer)
USB Hub
A USB hub is used to connect numerous USB-able devices to your computer, allowing you to use various devices simultaneously. These hubs generally are available in two types, PC- powered and self- powered. PC powered is a fine alternative if you only need to use one external hard drive, a wi-fi adapter, Bluetooth device, or audio speakers. But, if you need to use numerous external hard drives or any heavy devices, it's advised to use a self- powered USB hub.
Self-Powered USB Hub
TP-Link Powered USB Hub 3.0 with 7 USB 3.0 Data Ports and 2 Smart Charging USB Ports. Compatible with Windows, Mac, Chrome & Linux OS, with Power On/Off Button, 12V/4A Power Adapter(UH720) (USA buyer / India buyer)
PC Powered USB Hub
TP-Link UH400 v2. 0, 4 ports USB 3. 0 (USA buyer / India buyer)
Advantages of buying a Desktop PC Computer
There are several advantages of buying a desktop PC computer:
Power and Performance: In general, desktop PCs are more important and can perform better than laptops. More difficult jobs like gaming, movie editing, and 3D rendering are no problem for them. A desktop PC is the best option if you need a computer for jobs that demand a lot of computing power, similar running numerous virtual machines or rendering high- resolution video.
Upgradability: Desktop computers may be easily upgraded to increase performance by changing out parts such the processor, graphics card, and memory/storages. This implies that a desktop PC can stay current and useful longer than a laptop. On the other hand, there are some parts of laptops that may not be possible to be replaced, such the graphics card and processor. You may switch to a newer and speedier desktop PC, for instance, if your old one has a slow processor. rather, you might upgrade the graphics card in your desktop PC to increase its graphics performance.
Cost-effectiveness: On general, desktop PC are more affordable than laptops, and you can buy a more important system for lower money. This is especially true if you make your own desktop computer rather than purchasing one that has formerly been assembled. A similar laptop might cost $1000 or further, or you could construct your own desktop PC for roughly $800 with a midrange processor and graphics card (if necessary). Also, desktop PCs last longer than laptops, which could affect in long- term financial savings.
Ergonomics and Comfort: While you may set up a comfortable workspace with an adjustable keyboard, mouse, and monitor, desktop PCs have further ergonomic alternatives than laptops. To lessen the peril of repetitious strain injuries and other ergonomic problems related to laptop use, you could, for instance, set up your desktop PC with a wide monitor, a comfortable keyboard and mouse, and an adjustable chair.
Larger screens: With desktop PCs, you can use the full size and resolution of the monitor by connecting to larger panels. This is perfect for conditioning like graphic design, gaming, and video editing. For heavy tasks like video editing, rendering, or gaming, you may connect your desktop PC to a 27- inch monitor, whereas a laptop's screen might be of lower resolution.
More storage options: Storage options for desktop PCs are numerous and include SSDs, HDDs, and hybrid drives. However, you may also quickly add further storage to your desktop computer, If you bear further storage for your data and apps. As an illustration, you might have a desktop Computer with a fast SSD for your operating system and operations and a sizable HDD for data and media storage. However, you may also quickly add further storage to your desktop computer as desktop PC's case/ cabinet give redundant panels for adding additional hardware if you bear further storage for your data and apps.
Conclusion
In conclusion, assembling a desktop computer can be a fun and rewarding experience. Consider your budget, needs, and preferences when choosing components, and make sure they are all compatible with each other. With a little bit of exploration and tolerance, you can make a desktop computer that fits your requirements and budget.