Build Your own Gaming PC
Building your own Gaming PC is more then just building a powerhouse that you can run ANYTHING on, yes it will do that, however it is something more. YOU built the PC, so you have an original gaming rig that no one else has. Plus you can design it the way you want to build it, and put all the eye candy you like on it. Though for those that are not looking to build their own, or just want to save time and buy a prebuilt gaming PC, see our SteamOCTANE Store.
For this guide we have provided you the parts, however you can choose to use different, and still follow the guide.
Step One: Choose a Case
The first step in building your computer is to choose where you want to house the sensitive electronics of your computer.
If you are choosing parts from this guide: All parts will work together, choose anyone you like!
If you are using your own Parts: Check and make sure the motherboard will fit, all your components will fit, and you have the correct ATX factor that the case will support.
Step Two: Choose a Motherboard
The Second step is to choose a motherboard that will fit in your case. For this guide we will focus on Intel based Socket 1150 ATX Boards.
If you are choosing your own motherboard make sure it will Fit into your case, and case will support the ATX. Also keep in mind the type of processor you want and check to see if you have the correct socket motherboard.
| Entry Level Motherboard
1 Graphic Card |
Mid Level Motherboard Dual SLI GPU | High Level Motherboard Dual SLI GPU Support for next Gen CPU |
Step Three: Install Motherboard into Case
Now that you have both your case and your motherboard, we can install the motherboard. The motherboard is the main connection between all components to your computer, and later on we will attach everything to it.
Note: Make sure you are wearing a ESD wristband connected to a metal spot on the case. If you do not have one, you can get one Here.
- Locate the motherboard screws that were included in your chassis case. Be sure to confirm they are the correct type as you do not want to strip the thread.
- Examine your case and find the holes for inserting the motherboard. See the image below, we have circled two of the spots the motherboard will fit in.

- Insert the I/O Shield (Figure 3.1) that came with your motherboard into the Chassis opening on the back (Figure 3.2).


- Slide the Motherboard into the I/O shield keeping the back end of the board raised in your hand. Snugly fit the motherboard against the I/O shield until you see the ports are flush or sticking out of the shield.
- Use the provided motherboard screws to secure the motherboard to the case DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN. Usually there is about 8-10 spots to place a screw. Make sure to verify all the screws are in place and none are loose.
- Next you will need to connect your case front panel to the motherboard. This step may vary from motherboards. Locate the wires coming from your case’s front panel.

- If your motherboard comes with an adapter (shown Below) you can connect all the cords to this now, if not connect directly to the motherboard pinout. You will need to match the case wires to the print on the adapter or the motherboard adapter. An example would be to match POWER SW to PWR and Ground. When in doubt, consult your motherboard manual.

- The final step is to locate your case fan wires. Refer to your motherboards manual to find the ports for the fans. They are usually labeled Fan or Cha Fan. Make sure not to plug any of the case fans into the CPU_FAN or CPU_OPT ports.
Congratulations you have installed the main component of your new gaming PC!
Step Four: Choose & Install a CPU
The next part of our installation will be choosing a CPU. If you purchasing the suggestions from our guide, we will be using Intel Processors. If you are building on your own you could also go with AMD processors if you get the correct motherboard.
When choosing a Intel Processor you get 3 series choices that will work with the suggested motherboards.
Core I3 – The Core I3 processor is a Dual Core entry level processor, this processor can handle games on Low-Medium settings, and is the least powerful of the 3.
Core i5 – The Core I5 processor is a Dual or Quad core processor depending on the model. This processor handle games on Medium-High settings with the correct GPU. It is more powerful then the Core I3 but a lot less powerful then the Core I7.
Core i7 – The Core I7 is intel’s most powerful processor, it is a Dual threaded Quad Core processor which essentially makes it a Octo-Core processor. This processor can max out games on Ultra with the correct GPU.
| Core i3 | Core i5 | Core i7 |
After you have chose your CPU, we can now install it.
- Unpack the processor taking extreme care not to touch the bottom or top of the processor and not to drop the processor. The processor should be held in by the sides at all times.
- On the motherboard press the pin(1) down and move to the right.
- Flip open the clamp(2) and if your motherboard came with a plastic shipping protector in the CPU area remove it.

- Identify the Indents in the CPU (Figure 4.1) and the Outdents in the Motherboard (Figure 4.2). You will see the processor will only fit in one way, and the processors indents must fit with the motherboards outdents. Insert CPU.


- Close the CPU clamp by closing the clamp, and pressing the pin down and moving it to the left underneath the metal holder.
- The next step is to install the cooler or heatsink. The heatsink should have come with a silver gel compound on the bottom and you should take care not to touch it. Press the heatsink down into the 4 holes on the motherboard around the CPU. This should fit in quite easy.
- Press all 4 pins down into the motherboard and then turn them in the direction of the arrow printed on them.
- Plug in the CPU fan to the motherboard. Usually it is a 4 pin plug on the motherboard called CPU_FAN, some also have SPU_OPTN which is if you have an optional fan that requires more power such as a liquid cooling radiator.
You have now installed your CPU.
Step Five: Choose & install a GPU or GPU’s
The GPU is the horsepower of your computer’s graphic processing power. It is what drives your games visuals, and the unit you choose will determine the level of detail your computer will be able to handle. There is two big players in the GPU world, one is AMD’s Radeon, and the Other is Nvidia’s GeForce. You can choose either and most motherboards will accept either.
If you want, you can also add more then 1 GPU in your system and up to 4, the GPU’s will work together to create a better, smoother, and more glorifying gaming experience. For AMD this is called CrossFire, for Nvidia this is called SLI.
For this Guide we will be providing you Nvidia’s GPU’s and help you install SLI if you choose to.
| GTX 750Ti Entry Level card | GTX 770 4GB High End Card | GTX 780 3GB Ultra End Card | GTX Titan Z Extreme End Card |
- After Choosing your card, we can now install it. Remove 1 or 2 of the Risers (Depending on your GPU) in the back of the computer case, make sure it is lined up with your PCI 3.0 slot.

- Remove all the plastic shipping tape from your GPU.
- Insert your Graphic Card’s pins into the PCIe 3.0 X16 Slot. These slots are usually a different color then all the other slots. Be sure that the graphic card’s risers are flush with the PC case.

- Using the screws for the riser you removed, screw in the GPU into the same place.

- If you are installing SLI, make sure your motherboard supports SLI and has 2 PCIe 3.0 x16 slots available. Repeat steps 1-4 To install SLI, then Follow step 6. If you are not installing SLI You do not need to follow steps 5-6.
- After Both GPU’s are inserted Install the SLI Bridge that came with your Motherboard. To install you simply slip each end over the first set of pins on top of the GPU’s.

You have now installed your GPU(s)
Step Six: Choose & Install Your RAM (Memory)
The RAM is a ultra fast temporary memory for your PC to store files that are being used or will be used shortly. Since we are building gaming Rigs you will want at least 8GB or memory, and the most effective way is to get two 4GB sticks, or if you want 16GB’s two 8GB sticks. If you were following this guide you will need DDR3 memory. All current motherboards use DDR3, however by the end of 2014 DDR 4 is expected to be released.
| 8GB (2 x 4GB) | 16GB (2 x 8GB) |
- To install you RAM you first must identify the channels of your motherboard. These are usually easily identified by multiple color slots. If you are installing 2 sticks you will want to put both sticks in the same color.

- Open the plastic tabs on both sides as shown above. Insert the ram one side at a time until you hear a click and the plastic tab closes in on the RAM.
- Repeat for the second set in the same color.
You have now installed your RAM. Easy wasn’t it?
Step Seven: Choose & install an HDD or SSD, or Both
HDD’s or Hard Disk Drives are high capacity but slow drives that store your data and games. The HDD is being phased out, and will not see much more life in the coming years. However you can take this opportunity to get one for dirt cheep! HDD’s come in 5200, and 7200 RPM and even higher speed drives, the higher the RPM, the faster the drive. Though, the fastest HDD cannot compete with the slowest SSD.
An SSD or Solid State Drive has no moving parts, which makes it lightning fast. These drives are much more expensive then HDD’s, and usually can store a lot less for a smiler price point. However, these drives will start your programs in 1/10th of the time of the HDD, and your OS usually starts in less then 10 seconds on a bad day.
Consider the following. Do you need more space? Get an 1TB HDD for $70 or shell out $500 for the 1TB SSD. Do you need or want more speed? Get an SSD, these drives will kick out the performance you need, for a higher cost of course.
OR – Get Both! You can easily install an SSD and an HDD in the same machine for the best of both worlds. You will install you OS and programs on the SSD, and install you large files and games on the HDD.
| 1TB HDD | 500GB SSD | 1TB SSD |
- Locate the SATA cords that came with your motherboard. Also locate the HDD screws.

- If you are installing an SSD check to see if your case has a spot for them, if so slide it in, if not attach it to the included holder and slide into a HDD slot. If you are installing an HDD slide the drive into one of the available slots. If you case supports screw-less holding move to the next step, if not secure your HDD/SSD with at least one screw.
- Attach one end of the SATA cable to your HDD.
- Attach the other end of the SATA cable to your motherboard. (Check your motherboard manual for exact location of SATA ports.
- Repeat for any other HDD you may have.
You have now installed you HDD(s)/SSD(s).
Step Eight: Choose & Install a Disk Drive
The disk drive will serve as your DVD reader and writer, and if you so choose you can also make it a Blu-Ray Reader and Writer. Installing the Disk drive is very smiler to the HDD installation.
| DVD Writer | Blu-Ray Writer |
- Locate the SATA cords that came with your motherboard. Also locate the HDD screws.

- Remove one of the space holders in your case.
- Slide your disk drive in from the front of the case.
- If your case supports screw-less holding move to the next step, if not secure the drive with at least one screw.
- Attach one end of the SATA cable to your disk drive.
- Attach the other end of the SATA cable to your motherboard. (Check your motherboard manual for exact location of SATA ports.
- Repeat for any other disk drives.
You have now installed your disk drive(s).
Step Nine: Choose & Install Your Power Supply
The Final Build step is to install your PSU or Power Supply Unit. This unit supplies all the power to all of your components. It is important you get a high enough watt PSU to support all of your electronics. Here is the general Guideline.
450W – The lowest you should go. This would work with a Core i3 and a low end single graphic card.
750W – Will Support one high end card, and a Core i7
850W – Will Support one ultra End card, and a Core i7
1000W – Will support two high end cards, and a Core i7
1400W – This is overkill unless you plan on running 3 or more high end cards, or 2 extreme cards.
| 450W PSU | 750W PSU | 850W PSU | 1000W PSU |
- Unpack your PSU from the box, and keep all cables aside if you got a modular PSU.
- Slide your PSU into your case and line the screw threads with the holes on your case.

- Screw in the PSU using the either the screws that came with your case, or the ones that came with your PSU(recommended).
- The Next step is to attach the PSU to all the components in your computer that require power. We will start with the motherboard. If your PSU is modular connect the Motherboard plug to your PSU, then route it to your Motherboard’s 24 pin plug.

- Next we will attach the CPU plug to the motherboard. Attach the 8 Pin CPU plug to the PSU, it may be labeled CPU or CPU1. Route it to your motherboard’s CPU plug. DO NOT USE THE PCI CORDS FROM YOUR PSU.

- Next we will connect your HDD/SSD And Disk Drives. Find the SATA cords and attach them to your PSU. Your SATA cords should have more then 1 SATA connector so feel free to use one if you can get away with it. Attach the SATA cord connectors to the back of your Disk Drive and HDD/SSD.

- Finally locate your PCI cords and attach it to your PSU. Attach the opposite end to your graphic card’s PCI power connectors. Note: Your graphic card may require two PCI power connectors, most PSU’s cords come with two on one core, if that is the case for your PSU, attach them both. If you have two or more GPU’s please repeat this step for each.

You have now connected all hardware into your new gaming pc! Your done, turn it on and make sure there is no problems!
Choosing an Operating System
You will also need an operating system to run the programs and games on your computer. The most popular is the Windows platform. You can buy this online at www.microsoft.com, or at a in store retailer.
Stay tuned for our Installing an OS tutorial coming soon.
Optional Additions
Aftermarket fans
Some may choose to install aftermarket fans. Fans are not required to build your computer, but can cool it down significantly. If you are building a high end/high heat device then this step could be performed. If you are using low end components that do not generate much heat, this step is not recommended, as it can create more noise, power consumption, and dust inside of your unit.
- Read you case manual and find out what size fan it will take for the location you are planning on putting the fan in your case, then Choose a fan from your favor retailer, Amazon.com has a selection of Fans you can choose from.
- Locate the fan screws that came with your fan, or use the ones that came with your case. Also figure out the direction of air you want the fan to blow, inbound or outbound. Remember you should have a mixture of inbound and outbound air flow.
- Hold the fan up to the location you want it using one hand, and use the other hand to screw in the screws in the predrilled holes on your case.
- Once the fan is installed plug it in to your motherboard. If you ran out fan headers you will need to also buy a aftermarket fan controller.

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I was wondering if you recommend me havering other fans in my build other than the once preinstalled in the case? And what OS should I use (hopefully cheap)?
Case: Enermax Coenus ATX Mid Tower
Motherboard: MSI ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150
CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K Quad-Core
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 750Ti with G-SYNC Support 2GB
RAM: HyperX 8GB Kit
HDD: WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive
DISK DRIVE: I don’t think I need this so I don’t have one
Power Supply: Corsair CX Series 750 Watt
Hello,
Normally we would recommend holding off on installing fans until you find out how hot your unit runs.
If you want full compatibility with your games use a Windows operating system. Windows 7 or 8 will work the best, and is usually around $80-$119.