Ranking of computer components for gaming – what’s worth spending a bit more on?

Which gaming components can you cut back on, and where is it best not to? Find out what has the biggest impact on performance!

Which computer components make the biggest difference?

Specific models become outdated quickly, and the range changes from month to month. However, it’s worth knowing the impact of individual component categories on gaming performance, which helps you decide where to invest your money first, and where you can opt for a cheaper option.

1. Graphics card – the number one priority

The graphics card has the greatest impact on frame rate and graphics quality in games. It is the graphics card that renders the image, so in practice it is usually the graphics card that determines whether the game runs smoothly at high resolution with visual effects enabled. If your budget is limited, this is where you should allocate the lion’s share of it.

2. The processor – when does it become a bottleneck?

Processor It is less often the main bottleneck in games, particularly at high resolutions, where most of the workload falls on the graphics card. It starts to make a real difference at very high frame rates, in games that place a heavy load on the CPU, and when streaming gameplay at the same time.

3. How much RAM do you need for gaming?

16 GB of RAM is currently a reasonable standard for most games. 32 GB makes sense if, as well as playing games, you’re recording or streaming at the same time, or have lots of apps running in the background. Not enough RAM manifests itself not as dropped frames, but as stuttering and frame recovery – this is a different kind of problem from the one that a more powerful graphics card solves.

4. SSD – affects convenience, not FPS

SSD drive It won’t increase the frame rate, but it does reduce loading times and improves smoothness in games that load the game world from the hard drive in real time. This is a component where the cost-saving is noticeable not in performance, but in day-to-day usability – longer level load times and slower game start-up times.

5. Power supply – the component that’s easiest to forget

Power supply unit It does not improve performance, but the absence of a power supply – or one of insufficient quality – can actually hinder it – an unstable power supply leads to system freezes, restarts and, in the worst-case scenario, damage to other components. This is where cutting corners by opting for the cheapest possible model can be risky, even if the power supply unit itself doesn’t play games or handle graphics rendering.

6. Cooling – why does performance drop during a long session?

Components that overheat automatically throttle their performance to protect themselves – this applies to both the processor and the graphics card. Good cooling It will not increase the maximum performance beyond the specification, but it does allow it to be maintained during long sessions, when temperature tends to have an increasing impact on the clock speed.

7. Motherboard and case – the lowest priority, but not unimportant

Motherboard and case They have the least direct impact on the frame rate, but they determine expandability, the number of ports and how well the components will be cooled in practice – even the best cooling system performs less effectively in a case with poor airflow.

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Are priorities the same for everyone?

The order varies depending on what you’re playing and how you’re playing it. At very high refresh rates In esports, the processor is becoming more important more quickly than in single-player games at 4K resolution. If you’re upgrading an existing computer rather than building one from scratch, it’s worth checking first which specific component is actually limiting performance in your case.

Which component should I choose first?

If you’re building a gaming PC from scratch on a tight budget, The graphics card deserves priority, the power supply and RAM should not be where you look to make the biggest savings, whilst the motherboard and case are where you can save the most without any real loss of performance.

Where can I buy computer components?

You don’t need to compare the specifications of all the available components yourself. Von Halsky, the shopping assistant on the InPost Mobile app, will search through the offers and suggest options tailored to your needs and budget. Simply describe what you’re looking for – for example, “components for a gaming PC capable of 1440p, on a tight budget” – and the assistant will help you find and compare suitable offers. Give it a go chat with Von Halski.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about gaming computer components

Is it worth buying the most powerful graphics card you can afford?

Usually, yes, provided the other components don’t hold it back – a processor that’s too weak or insufficient RAM can prevent you from making full use of a powerful graphics card.

Is 16 GB of RAM enough for gaming?

For most games, yes. It’s mainly useful for streaming, recording gameplay or multitasking in the background.

Is it worth skimping on a power supply?

This isn’t the best place to cut corners – an unstable power supply can lead to faults, including damage to other components.

Does an SSD affect the frame rate in games?

It has no direct impact on FPS, but it reduces loading times and improves smoothness in games that load the world in real time.