What Do All the Numbers in a Gaming PC Name Actually Mean?
Lennon Byatt
If you’re new to gaming PCs, a product name can look something like this:
Ryzen 5 9600X + RTX 5070 12GB + 32GB DDR5 + 1TB NVMe
And if you’ve never bought a gaming PC before, that can look like complete nonsense.
The good news is that you do not need to memorise every model number to make a good choice.
You just need to understand what each part is telling you.
Recommended 1440p Gaming PC Specifications
For the best balance of performance and value, we recommend:
| Component | Recommendation |
|
CPU
|
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
|
|
GPU
|
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
|
|
RAM
|
32GB DDR5 6000MHz
|
|
Storage
|
2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
|
|
Motherboard
|
B650
|
|
PSU
|
750W 80 PLUS Gold
|
This specification is capable of running modern AAA games at high frame rates while providing plenty of headroom for future releases.
Browse AWD-IT's latest AMD Ryzen Processors:
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/cpu-processors/amd-cpu.html
Ryzen 5 9600X - The Processor
The Ryzen 5 9600X is the CPU, or processor.
The processor helps handle things like:
- Game logic
- Physics
- Background tasks
- AI
- Preparing information for the graphics card
The Ryzen 5 part tells you which general family it belongs to, while 9600X is the specific model.
You don’t need to know every CPU name.
What matters more is whether the processor is a good match for the graphics card and the games you want to play.
You can browse AWD-IT’s range of processors if you want to compare the options available.
RTX 5070 12GB — The Graphics Card
Next up is the graphics card, or GPU.
In this example, that’s the:
RTX 5070 12GB
The graphics card is one of the most important parts of a gaming PC because it does much of the work involved in creating what you see on screen.
That includes:
- Characters
- Lighting
- Shadows
- Reflections
- Textures
- Visual effects
The RTX 5070 is the GPU model.
The 12GB refers to its VRAM, which is memory used by the graphics card itself.
For someone buying their first gaming PC, the graphics card is one of the first specifications worth paying attention to.
You can explore AWD-IT’s range of graphics cards.
The graphics card is one of the most important parts of a gaming PC
32GB DDR5 — The RAM
The 32GB DDR5 part refers to your system memory, or RAM.
RAM gives your PC somewhere to keep information it is actively using.
Games, Windows, Discord, browsers and other programs can all use RAM at the same time.
The 32GB tells you how much memory the system has.
DDR5 tells you which generation of memory it uses.
You don’t need to worry too much about every memory speed and timing when you’re starting out.
The easiest thing to remember is:
More RAM gives your PC more room to work with.
For modern gaming, 16GB can still be enough in many systems, while 32GB gives you more breathing room for newer games and multitasking.
Browse AWD-IT’s range of PC memory.
1TB NVMe — Your Storage
The 1TB NVMe part refers to your storage.
This is where Windows, your games and your files are stored.
1TB tells you how much space you have.
NVMe tells you the type of SSD being used.
Modern games can take up a lot of storage, so this is one specification that’s worth thinking about before you buy.
If you only play a few games at a time, 1TB may be plenty.
If you keep a large game library installed, 2TB or more can make life easier.
You can browse AWD-IT’s range of SSD storage.
Those extra letters usually identify a particular version of that product
What About All the Extra Letters?
This is where things can start looking more complicated.
You might see names such as:
9600X
9070 XT
5070 Ti
9800X3D
Those extra letters usually identify a particular version of that product.
For example, one model may be faster, more gaming-focused or positioned differently from another.
But as a beginner, you don’t need to memorise what every suffix means.
A much better approach is to look at the whole PC rather than judging it by one letter or number.
Average FPS vs 1% Low
Here’s a simple example:
| Gaming PC | Average FPS | 1% Low |
|
PC A
|
160 FPS
|
65 fps
|
|
PC B
|
145 FPS
|
110 FPS
|
At first glance, PC A looks faster because it has the higher average FPS.
But PC B maintains much stronger performance during demanding moments.
For someone actually playing the game, PC B may therefore provide the smoother and more consistent experience.
This is one reason AWD-IT's existing performance guides sometimes refer to maintaining strong 1% lows alongside average FPS.
Bigger Numbers Don’t Always Mean Better for You
This is an important one.
A higher model number can often mean a newer or more powerful product, but that doesn’t automatically mean it is the right choice for your setup.
If you only want to play games at 1080p, you may not need the same hardware as someone gaming at 4K.
Likewise, someone playing competitive games has different priorities from someone mainly playing slower single-player titles.
The best gaming PC is not always the one with the biggest numbers.
It’s the one that matches what you actually want to do.
Look at the PC as a Whole
Instead of getting stuck on one specification, look at the complete system.
Ask yourself:
What graphics card does it have?
What processor is paired with it?
How much RAM does it have?
How much storage do I get?
That already tells you most of what you need to know as a first-time buyer.
You do not need to understand every line of the specification sheet.
You do not need to understand every line of the specification sheet
Background Downloads Are Easy to Miss
Modern games receive large updates, and your launcher may continue downloading additional content while you’re playing.
Windows, Steam, Discord, cloud storage and other applications can also be active in the background.
If your performance suddenly feels worse after installing an update, open Task Manager and check whether anything else is heavily using your:
CPU, RAM, storage or network connection.
Sometimes the simplest explanation is the right one.
Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials
You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.
1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup
Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs
Tech on display
Latest gen builds
Verdict
Showroom certified
Pick Your Tier
We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.
Group Stage
Round of 32
Quarter Final
World Cup Final
Don't Forget Your Monitor
Your PC can produce hundreds of frames every second, but your monitor also needs to be capable of displaying high refresh rates for you to fully benefit from them.
A smoother combination of strong FPS, consistent frame delivery and an appropriate refresh rate can make games feel significantly better.
If you're unsure what Hz means, read AWD-IT's guide to why monitor refresh rate matters, or browse the latest gaming monitors.
A smoother combination of strong FPS, consistent frame delivery and an appropriate refresh rate can make games feel significantly better.
Expected Gaming Performance
|
Game
|
1440p High
|
1440p Ultra
|
|
GTA 6 (Predicted)
|
120 FPS
|
90 FPS
|
|
Cyberpunk 2077
|
120 FPS
|
95 FPS
|
|
Black Ops 7
|
180+ FPS
|
150+ FPS
|
|
Fortnite
|
240+ FPS
|
200+ FPS
|
Performance will vary depending on drivers, game updates and graphics settings.
1440p Gaming
1440p provides a sharper image than 1080p but requires additional graphics power.
The AWD-IT Ares Ryzen 5 RX 9060 XT Gaming PC is a suitable option for players who want higher graphical settings, stronger frame rates and the ability to move into 1440p gaming.
Players targeting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K should look towards graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT
High-End Gaming
Players targeting high-refresh-rate 1440p or 4K should look towards graphics cards such as the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT.
These cards provide the additional performance needed for demanding modern games, detailed graphical settings and higher-resolution monitors.
Browse AWD-IT’s range of RX 9070 XT gaming PCs.
Should You Pair Radeon with Ryzen?
A Radeon graphics card does not need an AMD Ryzen processor, but pairing the two can create a well-balanced all-AMD gaming system.
The most important consideration is balance. Your processor should be powerful enough to support the graphics card, while sufficient RAM, SSD storage and cooling will help the entire system perform reliably.
You can explore AWD-IT’s AMD Ryzen and Radeon gaming PCs for complete systems using both technologies.
Prebuilt or Build Your Own?
Building a PC gives you control over every individual component, but it also requires additional research, assembly and troubleshooting.
A prebuilt gaming PC arrives assembled and tested, making it a more convenient option for many first-time buyers.
It also gives you one main point of contact if you require technical support or warranty assistance.
What Should a Beginner Focus On?
If you're comparing your first gaming PCs, focus on the overall system rather than trying to find the biggest number in every specification.
A balanced PC is what matters.
The GPU needs to suit the games and resolution you want.
The CPU needs to comfortably support it.
You need enough RAM for your games and applications.
You need enough SSD storage for your game library.
And the cooling and power supply need to support everything properly.
You don't need the most expensive version of every component.
You need the right combination of components for what you actually want to do.
Prebuilt or Build It Yourself?
You can build your own gaming PC by choosing every component individually.
For some people, that’s part of the fun.
But you don't have to build one yourself to get into PC gaming.
A prebuilt gaming PC arrives assembled, configured and ready for you to get started without having to work out which motherboard fits which processor or whether your power supply is powerful enough.
For someone completely new to PCs, that can make the first step considerably simpler.
You can always learn more about the hardware - and upgrade parts - as you become more comfortable with PC gaming.
The Simple Version
If you see something like:
Ryzen 5 9600X + RTX 5070 12GB + 32GB DDR5 + 1TB NVMe
read it like this:
Ryzen 5 9600X — processor
RTX 5070 12GB — graphics card
32GB DDR5 — RAM
1TB NVMe — storage
That’s it.
Once you understand those four parts, gaming PC specifications become much less intimidating.
And from there, the most important question is simple:
Will this PC run the games I want to play at the performance I want?
That matters far more than memorising every model number.
Explore AWD-IT’s range of gaming PCs to see how different processors, graphics cards, RAM and storage options come together in a complete system.
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- Best CPU for RTX 5070
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- GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
