Gaming PCs are specialized computers for playing games. Companies like Alienware, AMD, and Corsair are developing some heavy-duty gaming PC equipment & Graphics card. But most people build their own. Professional gaming is more than just a way to a pastime as gamers take it very seriously. You would need Cox TV packages, a gaming console, or a custom PC to become a gamer. Even then, there is so much competition that only the fittest survive most tournaments.
Most gamers build their PCs with customized hardware settings. They know which graphics card to get and how much RAM they would need. Moreover, they might also need custom processors and CPUs with liquid cooling. So, it can be expensive for beginners to build a custom PC. Some newer processors allow you to build a PC without a standalone graphics card. So, you can use an integrated card within your CPU, and it will do just fine.
Dedicated vs. Integrated Graphics Card
Many gamers use a dedicated graphics card that fits in the PCIe slots on the motherboard. These cards are standalone pieces of equipment and can be expensive. Serious gamers could opt for a dedicated GPU because they are more powerful. So, you can potentially add a lot more intensity and stable frame units to game graphics.
On the other hand, an integrated graphics card can do the same primary job. They are not standalone units and can be a part of your CPU already. You might need supporting processors and RAM but won’t have to buy a separate GPU. These can be great for people who are on a limited budget. iGPUs can also add similar video and audio ability to your PC.
Building a PC Without a Dedicated GPU
So, now that we know we don’t necessarily need a dedicated GPU, let’s dig deeper. There are some nitty-gritty details that you should know about iGPUs.
#1: CPU
The most important part of a computer built like this could be the CPU. If you were going to get a dedicated GPU, you would only look at CPU performance. So, mainly the single-core and multi-core performances would be important.
But now, you also need to look at the integrated graphics card performance of the CPU. Since you are not investing in a standalone card, your CPU should perform well with an iGPU. Otherwise, you might end up having to buy a graphics card anyway.
Major PC building companies have a wide range of CPUs that perform well with integrated cards. Almost all Intel desktop versions come with an integrated GPU. Only the ones with an F suffix don’t have one. Unlike Intel, only some AMD computers support iGPUs. The ones that do are called APUs and have a Vega graphics card built into the system.
#2: Motherboard
After you have decided on a CPU, the next concern should be a motherboard. For a build like this, any newer motherboard with the latest chipset should work fine. A common rule of thumb is that the motherboard should cost half the price of your CPU.
You can get one from Intel or AMD and make sure to follow these pointers:
Check for all the required video output ports to connect to the display.
Choose the right chipset.
Keep in mind the number of expansion slots, USB ports, and PCIe lanes.
Look out for budget-friendly brand names like ASRock or Biostar.
Choose a suitable form factor such as the Micro-ATX or Mini-ATX.
#3: RAM
One of the most important things to consider is how much RAM you want. The more RAM you choose, the more you could exceed your budget. So, if you are building a PC for gaming only, an 8 GB DDR RAM should be fine. Moreover, you should not worry about single or dual stick RAM as they don’t make much difference.
However, with 8 GB RAM, you might not be able to play AAA titles at high texture settings. You might need a bigger RAM or a dedicated graphics card for higher quality. So, if you find some flexibility in the budget, you could get 16 GB DDR RAM.
#4: Hard Drive
For much faster performance, you should get an NVMe SSD hard drive. Before, they were expensive and only suitable for high-performance gaming computers. But they have come a long way now and could be your best option considering costs per GB. The costs are still at least three times more than a regular HDD, but it is worth it. You can enjoy the best performance of your gaming PC with an SSD as it is faster and much more efficient.
#5: Motherboard
After you have decided on a CPU, the next concern should be a motherboard. For a build like this, any newer motherboard with the latest chipset should work fine. A common rule of thumb is that the motherboard should cost half the price of your CPU.
You can get one from Intel or AMD and make sure to follow these pointers:
Check for all the required video output ports to connect to the display.
Choose the right chipset.
Keep in mind the number of expansion slots, USB ports, and PCIe lanes.
Look out for budget-friendly brand names like ASRock or Biostar.
Choose a suitable form factor such as the Micro-ATX or Mini-ATX.
#6: RAM
One of the most important things to consider is how much RAM you want. The more RAM you choose, the more you could exceed your budget. So, if you are building a PC for gaming only, an 8 GB DDR RAM should be fine. Moreover, you should not worry about single or dual stick RAM as they don’t make much difference.
However, with 8 GB RAM, you might not be able to play AAA titles at high texture settings. You might need a bigger RAM or a dedicated graphics card for higher quality. So, if you find some flexibility in the budget, you could get 16 GB DDR RAM.
#7: Hard Drive
For much faster performance, you should get an NVMe SSD hard drive. Before, they were expensive and only suitable for high-performance gaming computers. But they have come a long way now and could be your best option considering costs per GB. The costs are still at least three times more than a regular HDD, but it is worth it. You can enjoy the best performance of your gaming PC with an SSD as it is faster and much more efficient.
#8: Motherboard
After you have decided on a CPU, the next concern should be a motherboard. For a build like this, any newer motherboard with the latest chipset should work fine. A common rule of thumb is that the motherboard should cost half the price of your CPU.
You can get one from Intel or AMD and make sure to follow these pointers:
Check for all the required video output ports to connect to the display.
Choose the right chipset.
Keep in mind the number of expansion slots, USB ports, and PCIe lanes.
Look out for budget-friendly brand names like ASRock or Biostar.
Choose a suitable form factor such as the Micro-ATX or Mini-ATX.
#3: RAM
One of the most important things to consider is how much RAM you want. The more RAM you choose, the more you could exceed your budget. So, if you are building a PC for gaming only, an 8 GB DDR RAM should be fine. Moreover, you should not worry about single or dual stick RAM as they don’t make much difference.
However, with 8 GB RAM, you might not be able to play AAA titles at high texture settings. You might need a bigger RAM or a dedicated graphics card for higher quality. So, if you find some flexibility in the budget, you could get 16 GB DDR RAM.
#9: Hard Drive
For much faster performance, you should get an NVMe SSD hard drive. Before, they were expensive and only suitable for high-performance gaming computers. But they have come a long way now and could be your best option considering costs per GB. The costs are still at least three times more than a regular HDD, but it is worth it. You can enjoy the best performance of your gaming PC with an SSD as it is faster and much more efficient.
