This article is part of Newb Computer Build’s “How to: Build a Gaming PC” guides to choosing your PC hardware for your Gaming PC builds. The type, the capable amount, and the speed of the Memory you put in your PC will all depend on what your motherboard supports. Generally in a Gaming PC Build you will end up having and needing more memory than a standard PC build. This is because computer memory is in huge demand for large software programs like games!
In this article I am going to give a quick overview of what Memory in a desktop computer is, followed by some terms you should be familiar with when searching for desktop Memory, and then conclude with a few steps to follow when purchasing Memory for your your gaming PC build.
What is “Memory or RAM”
In a desktop PC memory aka. RAM – Random Access Memory is the space where the Processor temporarily stores data and programs so that it can be accessed as quickly as possible for continual use. In layman’s terms RAM is usually described as a tool bench where you store your most used tools so that you do not have to keep searching for them when they need to be used. The speed of your RAM will ultimately determine how fast the data on your RAM can be transferred to and from the Processor resulting in more data being transferred in less time.
The system memory modules are stored on a stick called a DIMM (Dual inline memory module) which is the circuit board that can fit into your motherboard. There are also many different sub categories or types of RAM however since we are wanting to build a Gaming PC (and most general desktop PCs) we are concerned with DRAM aka. Dynamic RAM – which means the RAM is continually refreshed 1000s of times a second or else it loses its data.
The main purpose of the power supply unit aka. ‘PSU’ is to power your PC, and it serves this purpose by converting regular alternating current (AC) power into direct current (DC) power to be used by the internal hardware parts of your PC. PSU’s are generally rated by their maximum power output in Watts. A general purpose computer would use less power and would only need a PSU with a power outage of around 300W to 500W, however here we are concerned with gaming PCs, which you will most likely need a PSU with a power outage of anywhere from 450W to 1400W depending on all of the hardware you have.
The Hard Drive acts as a storage device for your computer that can read and write data. So basically a hard drive stores all of your files, games, programs etc. Hard Drives can be found in any number of devices such as mobile phones, and laptops, however here we are interested in choosing a hard drive for our gaming pc. You can purchase hard drives in a number of different sizes, and which size you purchase will be totally up to you depending on how much you will be storing on your gaming pc (how many games, videos, music, pictures and files in general). As well there are different types of hard drives, hard drive speeds, and hard drive interfaces that you will also want to keep in mind. So lets take a look at some terms you should be familiar with.
A graphics card aka. “video card” is used to actually put graphics onto your screen and usually come with a number of different functions. There are allot of processors and motherboards that may have integrated graphics in them, however this often is not enough to support more demanding graphics programs like PC games. As well, allot of the time an integrated graphics chip will have limited ‘embedded memory’ and will instead start using the available RAM. This is why (especially for a gaming PC) having a dedciated graphics card helps since it will have its own processor and memory dedicated to only graphics processing. Often graphics cards will have a couple of options for video output such as a VGA connector, S-video, component video, display port, digital visual interface (DVI) etc. and will generally connect to your motherboard via a port like PCIe. Before you purchase a graphics card always check whether it has the connections you have and need on both the monitor you will be using and the motherboard you have or are getting.
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