Learning Centre

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO GAMING PCs

Everything you need to know before getting your first gaming PC. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just straight-up useful info.

CPU (THE BRAIN)

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your PC. It handles all the logic, calculations, and instructions that keep everything running. Think of it as the manager that tells every other component what to do.

AMD VS INTEL

These are the two companies that make desktop CPUs. Both make excellent processors. AMD’s Ryzen series has been the go-to for value and performance over the last few years, while Intel’s Core series is solid across the board too. For most gaming builds, you can’t go wrong with either.

CORES VS CLOCK SPEED

Cores are like workers in a factory — more cores means more tasks handled at once. Clock speed (measured in GHz) is how fast each core works. For gaming, you generally want a good balance of both. Most modern games use 4–6 cores, so a 6-core CPU is the sweet spot.

RECOMMENDATION

For most gaming builds, the AMD Ryzen 5 series hits the sweet spot. You get 6 cores, great single-thread performance for gaming, and it won’t break the bank. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Ryzen 5 5600 is still brilliant. Going Intel? The Core i5 range is the equivalent pick.

GPU (THE GRAPHICS CARD)

The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is the single most important component for gaming. It’s responsible for rendering every frame you see on your screen. If you want smooth, good-looking games, this is where a big chunk of your budget should go.

NVIDIA VS AMD

NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX cards are the most popular choice and offer features like DLSS (AI-powered frame boosting) and ray tracing. AMD’s Radeon RX cards are often better value for money at certain price points. Both are great — it depends on your budget and what features matter to you.

VRAM EXPLAINED

VRAM (Video RAM) is the memory on the graphics card itself. It stores textures, frame data, and other visual information. For 1080p gaming, 8GB is fine. For 1440p, aim for 8–12GB. For 4K, 12GB+ is what you want. More VRAM means the card can handle higher-resolution textures without stuttering.

BUDGET TIERS

Budget (under €250): Handles 1080p esports and older titles well. Mid-range (€300–€500): 1080p–1440p on high settings for most modern games. High-end (€500+): 1440p ultra or 4K gaming. The sweet spot for most people is the mid-range — you get the best performance per euro.

RAM (MEMORY)

RAM (Random Access Memory) is your PC’s short-term memory. It holds the data your system is actively using so the CPU can access it quickly. More RAM means your PC can juggle more tasks and larger game worlds without slowing down.

HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED?

16GB is the minimum for gaming in 2026. It’ll handle every modern game without issues. 32GB is worth considering if you want to future-proof, stream, or run things in the background while gaming. 64GB is overkill for gaming — that’s workstation territory.

DDR4 VS DDR5

DDR5 is the newer standard and offers higher speeds and better efficiency. DDR4 is still perfectly capable and usually cheaper. Which one you use depends on your motherboard and CPU platform. Newer platforms (like AM5 or Intel 13th/14th gen+) support DDR5. If you’re building new, DDR5 is the way to go.

SPEED MATTERS

RAM speed (measured in MHz) does affect performance, especially with AMD Ryzen CPUs. For DDR4, aim for 3200–3600MHz. For DDR5, 5600–6000MHz is the sweet spot. Don’t overspend here though — the difference between fast and ultra-fast RAM is usually just a few FPS.

STORAGE

Storage is where your operating system, games, files, and everything else lives permanently. The type of storage you choose has a huge impact on how fast your PC feels day-to-day — especially boot times and game load times.

NVME SSD VS SATA SSD VS HDD

NVMe SSDs are the fastest option by a long shot. They connect directly to the motherboard via an M.2 slot and can read/write data at speeds of 3,000–7,000+ MB/s. SATA SSDs are older but still solid at around 500 MB/s. HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) are the slowest but cheapest — fine for bulk storage, not great for your main drive.

WHY NVME IS STANDARD NOW

NVMe drives have gotten so affordable that there’s really no reason to use anything else as your main drive. Games load faster, Windows boots in seconds, and everything just feels snappier. Prices have dropped significantly — a 1TB NVMe SSD is very affordable now.

RECOMMENDED SIZES

500GB is the absolute minimum — Windows and a few games will fill that quickly. 1TB is the ideal starting point for most builds. If you play a lot of games (some are 100GB+), consider 2TB or add a second drive later. Always easy to add more storage down the line.

MOTHERBOARD

The motherboard is the backbone of your PC. Every component plugs into it. It doesn’t directly affect gaming performance, but it determines what CPU you can use, how much RAM you can install, and what features you have access to.

SOCKET COMPATIBILITY

This is the most important thing to get right. Your motherboard must have the correct socket for your CPU. AMD Ryzen 5000 series uses AM4, Ryzen 7000+ uses AM5. Intel 12th/13th/14th gen uses LGA 1700. Always double-check compatibility before buying — or just ask us.

CHIPSET BASICS

The chipset determines what features the motherboard supports. Budget chipsets (like B-series) are great for most builds. High-end chipsets (like X-series) offer extras like more USB ports, PCIe lanes, and overclocking support. For most gaming builds, a B-series board is all you need.

FORM FACTORS

ATX is the standard full-size board — most features, most expansion slots. Micro-ATX (mATX) is slightly smaller and more affordable, still great for gaming. Mini-ITX is tiny — for compact builds where space is limited. Make sure your case matches your board size.

POWER SUPPLY (PSU)

The PSU converts mains electricity into the power your PC components need. It’s not glamorous, but it’s one of the most important components in your build. A bad PSU can fry your entire system. Do not cheap out here.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T CHEAP OUT

A dodgy PSU can deliver unstable power, overheat, or in the worst case, take your entire system with it. A quality PSU from a reputable brand (Corsair, Seasonic, EVGA, be quiet!) will run reliably for years and protect your investment. It’s the foundation everything else runs on.

80+ RATINGS EXPLAINED

80+ is an efficiency certification. 80+ Bronze is the minimum you should consider — it means the PSU wastes less energy as heat. 80+ Gold is the sweet spot for most builds. 80+ Platinum and Titanium exist but the extra cost isn’t worth it for most people. Higher efficiency = less heat and lower electricity bills.

WATTAGE GUIDELINES

Budget builds: 450–550W. Mid-range builds: 550–650W. High-end builds: 750–850W. Always leave headroom above what your components actually need. A good rule of thumb is to buy about 20% more wattage than your system draws at peak load.

COOLING

Every PC generates heat, and that heat needs to go somewhere. Proper cooling keeps your components running at safe temperatures and prevents throttling — that’s when your CPU or GPU slows itself down to avoid overheating.

AIR VS LIQUID COOLING

Air coolers use a heatsink and fan to pull heat away from the CPU. They’re reliable, affordable, and require zero maintenance. Liquid (AIO) coolers pump coolant through a radiator for better cooling performance. They look great and are quieter under load, but cost more.

WHEN TO UPGRADE FROM STOCK

Most AMD Ryzen CPUs come with a stock cooler that’s perfectly fine for normal use. If you’re running a high-end chip, overclocking, or your room runs warm, a dedicated air cooler (like the Noctua NH-D15 or DeepCool AK400) or a 240mm AIO is a worthwhile upgrade. Intel’s stock coolers are generally weaker — upgrading is recommended for anything above a Core i5.

CASE FANS MATTER TOO

Don’t forget about case fans. Good airflow through your case keeps everything cool. A typical setup is 2–3 intake fans at the front and 1 exhaust fan at the rear. More fans doesn’t always mean better — proper placement and direction matters more than quantity.

CASE

The case is your PC’s home. It holds everything together, determines airflow, and yes — it’s the bit everyone sees on your desk. But looks aren’t everything. A good case makes building easier and keeps your components cool.

AIRFLOW MATTERS

A case with a mesh front panel will almost always cool better than a solid glass front. Hot air needs somewhere to go, and fresh air needs a way in. Look for cases with good ventilation and room for fans. Your components will thank you.

SIZE CONSIDERATIONS

Full tower cases are massive — great for high-end builds with lots of components. Mid tower is the most popular size and fits ATX and mATX boards comfortably. Mini-ITX cases are compact and look great on a desk but are trickier to build in and can run warmer.

AESTHETICS

Tempered glass side panels let you show off your build. RGB fans and lighting can look incredible if done right. But honestly, a clean build with good cable management looks better than a rainbow explosion. Pick a case you’ll be happy looking at every day — it’s your desk, your rules.

Budget Breakdown

WHAT DOES YOUR BUDGET GET YOU?

Here’s a rough guide to what you can expect at different price points. These are based on real builds we’ve done — not theoretical specs from a spreadsheet.

€500

Entry Level

Solid 1080p gaming for esports titles like Fortnite, Valorant, CS2, and Rocket League. You’ll hit 60+ FPS comfortably on medium-high settings. Great for getting into PC gaming without spending a fortune.

1080p 60+ FPS
Esports titles
Light multitasking

€800

The Sweet Spot

This is where things get good. 1080p on ultra settings, 1440p on medium-high for most modern games. You can play pretty much anything comfortably, and it handles streaming or multitasking without breaking a sweat.

1080p ultra / 1440p medium-high
Most modern games
Streaming capable

€1,200

High Performance

1440p on high-ultra settings for AAA games. Smooth frame rates, fast load times, and plenty of power for streaming or content creation on the side. This is the tier where you stop worrying about settings and just play.

1440p high-ultra
AAA gaming
Streaming + gaming simultaneously

€1,800+

No Compromise

4K gaming, maxed-out settings, buttery-smooth frame rates. This is for people who want the best of the best. You’ll also have a machine that handles video editing, 3D rendering, or anything else you throw at it.

4K ultra settings
Future-proofed
Content creation powerhouse

Watch Out

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

I see these all the time. Save yourself the headache and avoid these common pitfalls when planning your first build.

SPENDING EVERYTHING ON THE GPU AND CHEAPING OUT ON THE PSU

A great graphics card means nothing if it’s powered by a dodgy PSU. A bad power supply can cause instability, crashes, or worse — damage your components. Spend the extra €20–30 on a quality unit.

NOT MATCHING GPU TO MONITOR RESOLUTION

Buying a high-end GPU but gaming on a 1080p 60Hz monitor? You’re leaving performance on the table. Match your GPU power to your monitor — a mid-range card is perfect for 1080p, save the big guns for 1440p or 4K.

BUYING MORE RAM THAN NEEDED INSTEAD OF A BETTER GPU

64GB of RAM won’t help your games run faster. 16–32GB is plenty. That extra €50–100 is better spent upgrading your graphics card, which will make a much bigger difference to your gaming experience.

IGNORING AIRFLOW IN CASE SELECTION

That tempered glass case looks stunning, but if there’s no mesh or ventilation, your components will cook. Thermals matter — pick a case with good airflow first, aesthetics second.

NOT FUTURE-PROOFING THE MOTHERBOARD AND PSU

These are the two components that last the longest. A good motherboard on a current platform means you can upgrade the CPU later. A solid 750W PSU will handle your next GPU upgrade without needing to be replaced.

READY TO BUILD?

Use our PC Builder tool to spec out your dream machine, or get in touch for a custom quote. No pressure, no upselling — just honest advice.

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