Want to build a gaming PC, but you're not sure where to start?  Well, there are a few things to consider when you're building your first gaming rig.  Budget and the right assembly of parts are obviously two deciding factors, but it's also a good idea to do your research ahead of time.

Building the best custom gaming PC requires thorough knowledge of each component: motherboard, video card, DVD/CD drive, sound card, etc.  It's vital to make sure they'll all work with each other - and on top of that, that they'll fit in your chosen PC case to begin with.

Gaming PCs come in all different shapes and sizes depending on your needs.  Hardcore gamers playing high-requirement games like Crysis will need a very good video card, while those who play lower end games can get away with a less expensive one.

A good processor is another important component of a gaming PC.  Gamers who tend to run multiple applications at once or do any video editing will most likely want a quad core processor.  Dual cores are still very good and solid, but not as great at multitasking as quad core CPUs.

Where budget is concerned, $400-600 is the minimum you'll need to look at spending, more than likely, for all your parts.  Anything less than that and you won't be able to get decent performance out of most newer games.

You have a bit more flexability with OS and peripherals.  However, not all operating systems will run certain games, so it's important to make sure you choose an OS that's both user-friendly and will run the games you want.  Windows 7, XP, and Vista are all decent choices for operating systems, though Windows 7, being the newest, will probably be the most expensive depending on which make of it you choose.

When you've selected all your PC components, be sure to take precautions to avoid electric shock when assembling your parts.  Discharging all static by first touching a grounded object (something rubber and non-conducting) is a good idea before you stick your hands or any parts into the PC case.

To learn more about how to build your first custom gaming PC and choose the most affordable parts, visit http://makeyourgamingcave.blogspot.com