Building your own gaming PC is an incredibly rewarding experience that allows you to customise every component and optimise your system for the types of games you love to play.
However, it can also be tricky to navigate if you’re new to the gaming PC setup and building scene. There are many potential pitfalls along the way that could end up costing you a lot of money if you’re not careful. Hence, it is important to sidestep these issues and ensure your first build goes smoothly.
Keep reading to find out the top 10 rookie mistakes to avoid when putting together your gaming PC setup.
1. Forgetting to Plan Out Your Budget
It’s all too easy to get carried away by browsing components, looking through gaming PC deals, and losing track of your original budget. Before you start shopping for parts, meticulously research prices so you know exactly what you can reasonably afford to spend. Map out a build within your budget ahead of time to avoid nasty surprises further down the line.
2. Not Considering Future Upgrades and Potential Bottlenecks
When picking parts, it’s wise to think about how your system may evolve over the coming years. Will your power supply have enough juice to handle stronger future GPUs? Is your motherboard compatible with upcoming CPU generations? Consider future-proofing key components where possible, rather than having to completely rebuild from scratch later on. Also, pay attention to potential bottlenecks.
3. Skimping on the Power Supply
The power supply is literally the lifeblood of your gaming PC setup, supplying electricity to every single component. Yet it’s often the first place builders try to save a few bucks. Don’t do it; a cheap or low-wattage PSU risks frying your whole system if it fails.
Always get a reputable gold-rated model with more wattage than you need, so it isn’t strained during intense gaming sessions. Your components will thank you later!
4. Forgetting to Consider Thermals and Case Airflow
Heat is the enemy of your PC gaming setup, so make sure your case and cooler can effectively dissipate warmth. Consider the size and number of fans included, as well as ventilation holes.
Larger ATX mid-tower cases typically offer better airflow than compact microATX builds. Don’t assume components will stay nice and chill if you cram them into a small, poorly ventilated case either. Test different fan configurations before finalising your build.
5. Not Reading the Manual for Your Motherboard
The manual outlines key information like installation steps, port locations, BIOS navigation and more. Consult it during assembly to avoid any nasty mistakes. Don’t just wing it and hope for the best. Spend 10 minutes getting familiar with your board’s quirks so you can smoothly handle tasks like installing the CPU, RAM and M.2 SSDs correctly.
6. Forgetting to Install the I/O Shield Before the Motherboard
The I/O shield is a thin metal plate that lines up with your motherboard’s rear ports. It’s easy to overlook, but if you install the board without the shield in place first, it’s a real pain to retrofit. Make sure the colour-coded tabs click neatly into the holes in your PC’s case before motherboard installation. It only takes a second to do it right.
7. Not Testing Components Outside the Case First
It’s always a good idea to do a test boot outside of the case before final assembly. This lets you work out any kinks, like faulty RAM or boot issues, easily without having to disassemble everything in a cramped case. Set the motherboard on its box, connect the crucial basics like CPU, RAM, graphics card and storage, then fire it up outside the case to check all is well.
8. Forgetting to Install an Operating System
It may seem obvious, but it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of your new gaming PC setup and forget one of the most important steps: installing an operating system. I’ve seen many eager builders make this mistake in my time. Without an OS, that sweet new rig is basically a shiny paperweight.
- Make sure you’ve properly prepared your Windows or Linux installation media well before your first boot. For Windows, you’ll need an 8GB+ USB stick and a working computer to create a bootable drive using the Media Creation Tool.
- Be sure to download the correct version—usually Windows 10 or 11—matching your product key. With Linux, grab an ISO file of your preferred distro, like Ubuntu and use a program like Rufus to flash it to a USB. Always double-check the installation media boots as expected before using them on your new PC.
- On that first power-on, you’ll want to enter your BIOS and select the USB stick or DVD as the boot device. From there, the OS installation process is fairly straightforward, whether you choose Windows or Linux. Just be prepared for it to take 30–60 minutes as files are copied and settings are configured. Resist the urge to rush through screens or skip optional steps either.
- And don’t forget—with Windows, especially—that you’ll need a valid product key to fully activate your installation. Have this on hand or purchase it from an authorised retailer in advance.
Taking the time to properly install your OS up front avoids a ton of unnecessary headaches later on. So before hitting that power button with pride, make sure your shiny new rig has the brains it needs in the form of Windows or Linux.
9. Not Checking for DOA Components
Despite some great gaming PC deals available, it’s always possible to receive a faulty part fresh from the factory. To avoid wasted troubleshooting time, power on your new build outside the case and check each component individually as soon as you get them. This lets you easily identify and RMA any DOA parts before fully assembling your PC. Save yourself future headaches down the line.
10. Neglecting to Update Your Motherboard’s BIOS
Motherboard BIOS versions often need updating to recognize newer CPUs, memory or features. But it’s easy to forget this crucial step. Ensure your BIOS is on the latest firmware to avoid any nasty compatibility bugs or issues. Consult your motherboard manual to see how easy one-click BIOS updates are with your specific board. A five-minute BIOS flash could save you from hours of head-scratching later on.
Final Words
Building your own gaming PC is incredibly rewarding and will save you money over buying a pre-built system. Just be sure to avoid these common rookie mistakes that could otherwise end up frustrating you or damaging components. With some planning and by heeding these tips, your first DIY build experience will no doubt be a success. Happy gaming!
