How to build a PC: the complete step-by-step guide
The only start-to-finish guide you need on how to build a gaming PC of your very own, with a few tips and tricks along the way.
how to slap all the parts together yourself
Knowing how to build a PC is, at least in the view of this hardware ed, an underrated skill. The single, solitary advantage of buying a pre-built rig is convenience, but if you know (or are willing to learn) <anchor>how to slap all the parts together yourself</anchor>, you get to exert far greater control over the specific components in your PC while gaining a greater understanding of how the whole thing works. Not to mention you’ll be saving an absolute bundle of cash, a benefit that’s all the more keenly felt in a cost of living crisis.
How To | Rock Paper Shotgun
How To \| Rock Paper Shotgun

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# How To

Follow How To

![A Steam Deck with a detailed performance overlay onscreen. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom-right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/Steam-Deck-performance-overlay-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to use the performance overlay on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-use-performance-overlay-on-steam-deck)

Get framerate, battery life, and hardware monitoring data at a glance


July 24, 2024James Archer

![Game Pass running on a Steam Deck OLED. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom-right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/Game-Pass-on-Steam-Deck-header-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to play Game Pass games on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-play-game-pass-on-steam-deck)

It’s possible, with Xbox Cloud Gaming


July 23, 2024James Archer

[1 comment](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-play-game-pass-on-steam-deck?view=comments)

![Steam Deck gyro controls being used to play Team Fortress 2. The RPS Steam Academy logo is added in the bottom-right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-calibrate-gyro-Steam-Deck-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to calibrate and customise gyro controls on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-calibrate-and-customise-gyro-controls-on-the-steam-deck)

Don’t go on tilt with bad gyro settings


July 22, 2024James Archer

![A Samsung Pro Plus microSD card on top of a Steam Deck. The RPS Steam Academy logo is added in the bottom right.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-format-microSD-card-on-Steam-Deck-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to format a microSD card on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-format-a-microsd-card-on-the-steam-deck)

Wipe the slate clean. Then slap games on it


July 22, 2024James Archer

![Zenless Zone Zero running on a Steam Deck OLED. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom-right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/Zenless-Zone-Zero-Steam-Deck-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install Zenless Zone Zero on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-zenless-zone-zero-on-steam-deck)

The quickest, easiest way to play HoYoverse’s stylish RPG on your Steam Deck


July 18, 2024James Archer

![Using the Steam Game Recording beta to edit an Elden Ring clip on a Steam Deck. The Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom-right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-record-game-clips-on-Steam-Deck-header-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to record game clips on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-record-game-clips-on-the-steam-deck)

Clip and share your Steam game adventures (or mishaps) on the move


July 5, 2024James Archer

![Steam's Game Recording interface for editing and sharing gameplay videos, showing an Elden Ring clip in the making.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-record-game-clips-with-Steam-header.JPG?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to record game clips with Steam](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-record-game-clips-with-steam)

Capture, clip, and share footage with Steam Game Recording


July 5, 2024James Archer

![A WD Black SN770M SSD held up in front of a Steam Deck. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom-right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-install-SSD-in-Steam-Deck-header-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install a new SSD on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-ssd-steam-deck)

Venture inside your Deck to make a permanent storage upgrade


May 3, 2024James Archer

![A Steam Deck connected to a TV. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom-right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-connect-Steasm-Deck-to-TV-header-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to connect a Steam Deck to a TV](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-connect-steam-deck-to-tv)

It's not quite plug and play


April 9, 2024James Archer

[1 comment](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-connect-steam-deck-to-tv?view=comments)

![Decky Loader running on a Steam Deck, showing a list of installed plugins. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo in added in the bottom right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-install-Decky-on-Steam-Deck-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install Decky Loader on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-decky-loader-on-steam-deck)

The easy way to add plugins for screenshots, recording, UI customisation and more


March 5, 2024James Archer

![A Steam Deck OLED running in Desktop Mode. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-enable-Desktop-Mode-on-the-Steam-Deck-guide-header-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to enable Desktop Mode on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-enable-desktop-mode-on-the-steam-deck)

Top tip


March 4, 2024James Archer

![The Epic Games Launcher running on a Steam Deck. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-install-Epic-Games-Launcher-on-Steam-Deck.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install the Epic Games Launcher on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-epic-games-launcher-on-steam-deck)

No Windows installation or hardcore Linux engineering required


Feb. 20, 2024James Archer

[2 comments](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-epic-games-launcher-on-steam-deck?view=comments)

![Lutris running on a Steam Deck. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom-right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-use-Lutris-on-Steam-Deck-header---Steam-Deck-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install and use Lutris on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-and-use-lutris-on-the-steam-deck)

Unlock even more games with multiple non-Steam launchers, all in one place


Feb. 20, 2024James Archer

![A Steam Deck OLED showing its performance settings menu and remaining battery. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/Steam-Deck-battery-life-guide-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Feature


## [The Steam Deck battery life guide: games tested and how to extend it](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-deck-battery-life-guide-games-tested-and-how-to-extend-it)

Taking charge


Nov. 9, 2023James Archer

[25 comments](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-steam-deck-battery-life-guide-games-tested-and-how-to-extend-it?view=comments)

![Battle.net running on a Steam Deck. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-install-Battle-net-on-Steam-Deck-Academy.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install Battle.net on the Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-battlenet-on-steam-deck)

Ready for Diablo IV


Oct. 19, 2023James Archer

[2 comments](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-battlenet-on-steam-deck?view=comments)

![Starfield running on a Steam Deck. The RPS Steam Deck Academy logo is added in the bottom right corner.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-play-PC-Game-Pass-games-on-Steam-Deck-Academy-header.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Feature


## [Got Starfield on PC Game Pass? Here’s how to play it with a Steam Deck](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-play-starfield-game-pass-on-steam-deck)

Local play is bleh, but Game Pass Ultimate holders can still call upon the cloud


Sept. 6, 2023James Archer

[9 comments](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-play-starfield-game-pass-on-steam-deck?view=comments)

![A CPU air cooler installed on a motherboard.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-install-a-CPU-air-cooler-header.JPG?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install a CPU cooler](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-a-cpu-cooler)

Fortune favours the cold


April 21, 2023James Archer

![An Intel Core i9-13900K CPU being held between fingers.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/Intel-Core-i9-13900K.JPG?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install a CPU](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-a-cpu)

Give Intel and AMD chips a new home


April 19, 2023James Archer

![All the components one would need to build a gaming PC from scratch, laid out on a table.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-build-a-gaming-PC-header.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Feature


## [How to build a PC: the complete step-by-step guide](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-build-a-pc)

From choosing parts to installing Windows, here's how to handcraft your own custom gaming rig


April 19, 2023James Archer

[47 comments](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-build-a-pc?view=comments)

![The inside of a gaming PC, before cable tidying.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/how-to-install-a-psu-before-cable-tidying.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to tidy cables, reassemble your PC case and connect peripherals](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-tidy-cables-reassemble-pc-case)

The final hardware steps to a completed PC build


March 9, 2023James Archer

![Two sticks of newly installed RAM inside their motherboard slots.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/How-to-install-RAM-header_tOslPlc.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install RAM](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-ram-pc)

If memory serves, this is how you install DDR4 or DDR5 kits


March 9, 2023James Archer

[1 comment](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-ram-pc?view=comments)

![The default Windows 11 desktop.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-11-step5.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install Windows 10 or 11](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-windows-10-or-11)

Set up the operating system, and your PC build is complete


March 9, 2023James Archer

![An NVMe SSD being fastened into its M.2 slot by a small screwdriver.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/how-to-install-an-m2-ssd.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install an SSD or HDD](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-an-ssd-hdd)

All your desktop PC storage needs covered


March 9, 2023James Archer

![The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT and Radeon RX 7900 XTX graphics cards laid out in front of a much larger RTX 4080.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/AMD-Radeon-RX-7900-XTX-and-RX-7900-XT-vs-RTX-4080.JPG?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install a graphics card](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-a-graphics-card-gpu)

Install a new GPU in five easy steps


March 9, 2023James Archer

![An Asus TUF Gaming Z590-Plus WiFi motherboard on top of an open PC case.](https://assetsio.gnwcdn.com/how-to-install-a-motherboard.jpg?width=320&height=180&fit=crop&quality=80&format=jpg&auto=webp)

Guide


## [How to install a motherboard](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/how-to-install-motherboard)

Build the backbone of a more capable PC


March 9, 2023James Archer

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