This video is part one of a multi-part series about the process of choosing components needed to build a PC. This video considers how to choose CPU and RAM. Other episodes cover different components, so subscribe to get notifications for them!
CPU
The CPU (central processing unit) is your whole system’s brain. They are often judged in terms of cores, clock speeds & hyper-threading, referring to different facets of the CPU. Cores are relatively straightforward. If a processor is described as dual-core, that means it has two central processing units on a single CPU chip, for more processing power. If your CPU is a chef in a restaurant, the cores are the pans he has going at the same time. Dual-core: 2 pans, quad-core: 4, etc. The two dominant brands for PC CPUs are AMD & Intel. While one brand’s CPU might offer a slight edge over the other in online comparisons, research and go with the chip best for your needs.
Intel CPUs
Intel’s CPUs are generally divided up into i3, i5, i7, & i9. The higher the number, the higher level of performance and/or additional features within a processor generation. A dash and the generation indicator follow the brand modifier. For example, an i7-9800 is a 9th-generation CPU. An i7-8800 is 8th-gen. This distinction matters: a 13th-gen i5 may have better performance for your needs than a 12th-gen i7. After the initial brand & generation indicator, you’ll see the SKU and sometimes a suffix beyond that. Generally, the higher these numbers, the more features the processor will have.
AMD CPUs
AMD’s Ryzen™ series processors in particular line up in a similar fashion to Intel. Ryzen’s mainstream processors are Ryzen 5, 7, and 9 series, with more cores & faster speeds as you go up the ladder. Chips with a G in the model number have integrated graphics; models without need a separate graphics card. The suffix for both manufacturers is included if a feature such as the ability to overclock is offered.
Hyper-threading is a term dating back to 2002, an early attempt to bring parallel processing to consumer PCs. Now you can get multi-core CPUs with hyper-threading.
Processor Clock Speed
The final thing you’ll want to consider is clock speed, which is the measure of how many clock cycles a CPU can perform per second. CPUs are measured in hertz (Hz). A CPU with more Gigahertz doesn’t necessarily perform faster than others. Newer CPUs tend to be more efficient, meaning more work gets done per clock cycle. To make the best decision for your situation, look at the big picture: number of cores, amount of CPU cache memory, presence of features like hyper-threading and overclocking, and most of all, read user reviews.
If you’re interested in learning more about overclocking, DIY in 5 has covered the topic in some detail here: • The Basics of Overcloc...
Think about what you’ll be using your CPU for when figuring out which one to choose. For AAA game titles, an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel i5 processor is approximately the baseline for smooth gameplay or preventing lag. To also stream on the same PC, you’ll need a stronger CPU. Remember to match your motherboard chipset and socket to take advantage of features like overclocking.
Memory
If your hard drive is your long-term memory, RAM (Random Access Memory) is your short-term memory, ready to access frequently-used things quickly at a moment’s notice. Today’s RAM will be either DDR4 or DDR5. Decisions to make include how much RAM you’ll need, and what speed & form factor to choose. We already have a DIY in 5 episode which goes into greater depth on this subject: • Do I need more RAM or ...
RAM requirements differ for each game title, so how much you need for your system will vary. Check the game developers’ recommended system requirements for specific games. You’ll also want to ascertain whether speed or capacity is your top priority. Can You RUN it is a valuable tool for identifying RAM requirements: www.systemrequirementslab.com...
Your motherboard and CPU will be the main factors on what kind of DDR RAM you need for your PC, so know those specifications before choosing your RAM. Try out the Kingston memory configurator: www.kingston.com/en/configurator
This tool helps customers find an array of compatible memory module options for their proposed setups. Next episode, we’ll look at storage options and graphics cards! Join us next time for more on how to build your perfect PC!
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