During the summer of 2023, I decided it was finally time to build my own custom PC. For years, I had been gaming on my old, overheating laptop, and I wanted a dedicated high-performance gaming rig that wouldn’t struggle under load. The idea of building a PC from scratch was both exciting and daunting, so I spent a full month immersing myself in research—watching YouTube guides, comparing components, and learning about compatibility issues. I wanted to make sure every part I chose worked well together and delivered the best performance for my budget.

Choosing the Right Components

After extensive research, I finalized a list of components and began looking for the best deals in Denver. Micro Center became my go-to store because they had an amazing bundle deal on the motherboard, RAM, and CPU. For my processor, I chose the AMD Ryzen 7800X3D, known for its exceptional gaming performance and power efficiency. Since my main focus was gaming and light productivity tasks, AMD was the obvious choice over Intel, which is notorious for high power draw and weaker price-to-performance ratios.

For the graphics card, I went with the white AMD RX 7900 XTX, which was AMD’s flagship GPU at the time. Not only did it provide top-tier gaming performance, but it also matched my white aesthetic theme. I paired it with a white PC case to complete the build’s clean and futuristic look. Futureproofing was a major factor in my decision—I wanted a GPU that would last at least 10 years and run any game I threw at it without compromise.

Budgeting was also a crucial part of the process. I set a $2,000 budget and meticulously tracked every expense using a spreadsheet to ensure I stayed on target. Sourcing parts from multiple vendors allowed me to maximize value without sacrificing performance. Every purchase was carefully planned to get the best performance per dollar spent.

The Nerve-Wracking Build Process

When it finally came time to assemble my PC, I was both excited and nervous. This was my first time building a computer, and I knew that one wrong move could permanently damage a component. I was especially cautious because Colorado’s dry climate and my carpeted room made static electricity a real concern. To avoid frying any parts, I made sure to ground myself by frequently touching the power supply casing and handling components with extra care.

Despite my initial anxiety, the build process turned out to be a rewarding experience. Seeing all the components come together—installing the CPU, seating the GPU, routing cables, and finally powering it on—was incredibly satisfying. The moment I pressed the power button and saw the system boot up successfully, I felt an immense sense of accomplishment.

Final Thoughts

Building my first custom PC was a fun and educational journey. Not only did I gain a deeper understanding of computer hardware, but I also learned the importance of careful planning, budgeting, and troubleshooting. The process had its stressful moments, but in the end, it was worth every second. Now, I finally have a powerful gaming rig that runs everything smoothly, eliminating the need to suffer through lag and overheating issues on my old laptop. This experience has made me appreciate the art of PC building, and I’m already looking forward to future upgrades and customizations.