PC BUYING GUIDE

Not sure what specs actually matter? We’ll break down the key PC parts, what affects gaming performance, and how to choose the right rig for your budget.
PC Fundamentals

WHAT MATTERS MOST?

Not sure what all the parts actually do? Here’s the simple version — what actually affects performance, what matters most, and how to choose the right PC for your setup.

GPU
Important

GPU

Graphics Card
Gaming performance impact

The GPU is the biggest factor in gaming performance. It controls your FPS, graphics quality and how smooth your games feel.

Learn more

If you care about performance, this is where most of your budget should go. A better GPU means higher FPS, better graphics settings and a smoother experience at 1080p, 1440p or 4K. This is the main difference between an “okay” PC and a great one.

CPU
Core Part

CPU

Processor
Gaming performance impact

The CPU is the brain of your PC. It handles game logic, background tasks and overall system responsiveness.

Learn more

While the GPU does the heavy lifting in games, the CPU keeps everything running smoothly. A stronger CPU helps with competitive games, multitasking, streaming and future-proofing your system.

RAM
Essential

RAM

Memory
Gaming performance impact

RAM keeps your PC running smoothly. It allows games and apps to run without slowing everything down.

Learn more

More RAM means better multitasking and fewer slowdowns. 16GB is the sweet spot for most gamers, while 32GB is ideal if you want extra headroom for newer titles or streaming.

SSD
Speed

SSD

Storage Drive
Gaming performance impact

Your SSD stores Windows, games and files. It doesn’t boost FPS, but it makes everything feel much faster.

Learn more

Faster load times, quicker boot-ups and smoother overall experience. Every Build My Rig system comes with SSD storage as standard — because once you’ve used one, you’ll never go back.

CPU Cooler
Cooling

CPU Cooler

Thermals
Gaming performance impact

A good cooler keeps your CPU at safe temperatures and your system running smoothly.

Learn more

Better cooling means more consistent performance, lower noise and longer lifespan for your components. It’s not just about temps — it’s about stability and reliability.

Motherboard
Platform

Motherboard

Main Board
Gaming performance impact

The motherboard connects everything together and determines your upgrade options.

Learn more

It doesn’t directly impact FPS, but it affects connectivity, Wi-Fi, future upgrades and overall system quality. We always choose reliable, well-balanced boards for every build.

PSU
Power

PSU

Power Supply
Gaming performance impact

The PSU powers your entire system. It’s one of the most important parts for reliability.

Learn more

A high-rated PSU keeps your system stable and protects your components. Cheap power supplies can cause issues — that’s why we only use trusted, reliable units in our builds.

Case
Design

Case

PC Case
Gaming performance impact

The case controls airflow, cooling and the overall look of your PC.

Learn more

Good airflow helps keep your system cool, while the design defines how your setup looks. Whether you want clean and minimal or full RGB, this is where the personality comes in.

EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW

Every gaming PC on our website includes estimated FPS benchmarks for popular games to help you understand expected performance.

If your game isn't listed, contact us and we'll happily recommend the right PC for your games and budget.

As a general rule, we recommend choosing a gaming PC that matches the resolution of your monitor. Every Build My Rig gaming PC is categorised based on the resolution it is best optimised for, helping you get the ideal balance of visual quality and performance for your setup.

1080p Gaming PCs
- Best value for money
- excellent for esports and competitive gaming
- Typically achieve the highest FPS
- Ideal for 1080p monitors
- A great choice if you're moving from console gaming or buying your first gaming PC

1440p Gaming PCs
- Sharper visuals than 1080p
- Excellent balance between image quality and performance
- The most popular choice for PC gamers
- Ideal for 1440p monitors
- Perfect for gamers who want stunning visuals without sacrificing smooth gameplay

4K Gaming PCs
- Maximum visual quality
- Ideal for large monitors and immersive single-player games
- Require the most powerful hardware
- Designed for 4K monitors
- The ultimate choice for gamers who want the best possible visual experience

FPS (Frames Per Second) measures how smoothly a game runs.

As a general guide:

60+ FPS = Great for single-player games
100+ FPS = Ideal for multiplayer and competitive gaming
144+ FPS = Extremely smooth gameplay on high refresh rate monitors

For comparison, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X can support up to 120 FPS, but only a limited number of games actually offer 120 FPS modes. One of the biggest advantages of gaming on PC is being able to achieve higher frame rates across a much wider range of games.

All FPS figures shown on our website are estimated averages based on the listed specification and game settings.

As a rough guide:

- 512GB SSD = Windows plus around 4-8 modern games
- 1TB SSD = Windows plus around 8-15 modern games
- 2TB SSD = Windows plus 15-30+ modern games

Games such as Call of Duty, Microsoft Flight Simulator and GTA can each use well over 100GB of storage, so larger drives are recommended if you keep lots of games installed at the same time.

Additional storage can always be added later.

Many of our gaming PCs include built-in Wi-Fi as standard. You can check the specifications tab on each product page to see whether Wi-Fi is included.

If it isn't included as standard, you'll usually be able to add Wi-Fi under the "Customise Your PC" section before checkout.

For the fastest and most reliable connection, we always recommend using an Ethernet cable where possible.

Yes - every Build My Rig gaming PC arrives fully assembled, stress tested and ready to play.

Windows 11 comes pre-installed along with the latest drivers, Windows updates and BIOS updates where applicable. We also optimise BIOS settings such as XMP/EXPO memory profiles where supported.

Every PC is professionally cable managed and thoroughly tested before dispatch, so all you need to do is plug it in and start gaming.

Absolutely. Gaming PCs are designed to be upgraded over time, allowing future improvements to storage, memory (RAM), graphics cards and processors as your needs evolve.

Unlike most consoles, a gaming PC can grow with you, helping extend its lifespan and performance for years to come.

Yes - flexible payment options including Klarna and PayPal Pay in 3 are available at checkout on eligible orders.

These options allow you to spread the cost of your purchase while still receiving your PC straight away.

READY TO FIND YOUR PERFECT PC?

Explore gaming PCs by game, budget or performance level - built, stress tested and ready to play.