What Cables Do You Actually Need for a Gaming PC?
Lennon Byatt
You’ve bought your first gaming PC.
Then you look behind it and see HDMI, DisplayPort, USB, Ethernet, audio connections and a lot more ports than you were expecting.
If you’re coming from a console, it can look more complicated than it really is.
The good news is that you only need a handful of connections to get started.
Here’s what each one actually does.
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
1. The Power Cable
Let’s start with the obvious one.
Your gaming PC needs a power cable running from the power supply at the back of the computer to a wall socket or suitable extension.
You’ll usually find a power switch on the back of the PC as well.
If you’ve connected everything and the PC appears completely dead, checking that switch is an easy first step.
Simple, but easily missed.
2. HDMI or DisplayPort for Your Monitor
Next, you need to connect your monitor.
Most modern gaming setups use either:
HDMI
or
DisplayPort
Both carry the picture from your graphics card to your monitor.
Which One Should You Use?
There isn't one answer that works for every setup.
It depends on your graphics card, monitor, resolution and refresh rate.
For many PC gaming monitors, DisplayPort is a common choice, while HDMI is also widely supported and will be familiar to anyone coming from a console.
The important part is making sure the connection supports the resolution and refresh rate you want to use.
You can browse AWD-IT’s range of gaming monitors if you're putting together your first setup.
Both carry the picture from your graphics card to your monitor
Make Sure It Goes Into the Graphics Card
This is important.
If your gaming PC has a dedicated graphics card, your monitor should normally be connected directly to the graphics card.
The graphics card display connections are usually found lower down on the rear of the case.
The HDMI or DisplayPort sockets higher up alongside the USB connections normally belong to the motherboard.
Using the wrong one can mean you aren’t getting the gaming performance you expected - or you may get no display at all.
3. USB for Your Keyboard and Mouse
Your keyboard and mouse normally connect using USB.
Most gaming PCs have several USB ports across the front and rear of the case.
You don't need to overthink which port to use for a basic keyboard or mouse.
Plug them in, Windows should recognise them, and you're ready to go.
The same applies to many other gaming accessories, including:
- Controllers
- Headsets
- Microphones
- Webcams
- Steering wheels
- USB hubs
Browse AWD-IT’s gaming peripherals if you're completing your first PC setup.
Ethernet usually provides a very straightforward, stable connection for gaming
4. Ethernet — If You Want a Wired Internet Connection
You’ll need internet access for downloading games, multiplayer gaming, updates and most game launchers.
You can connect using Wi-Fi if your PC supports it.
Or you can connect an Ethernet cable directly from your router to the PC.
Ethernet usually provides a very straightforward, stable connection for gaming.
That doesn't mean Wi-Fi is automatically bad.
For many people, modern Wi-Fi works perfectly well.
The right choice depends on where your PC is located and whether running a cable from the router is practical.
AWD-IT already has a dedicated guide comparing Wi-Fi and Ethernet for gaming. AWD-IT’s current PC guides include a Wi-Fi 7 vs Ethernet explainer for gamers.
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.
5. Headset or Speakers
How you connect your audio depends on the headset or speakers you own.
Common options include:
3.5mm audio jack
The traditional round headphone connection.
USB
Many gaming headsets simply connect using USB.
Wireless
Some headsets use Bluetooth, while others come with their own USB wireless receiver.
There’s no need to buy a particular type just because you own a gaming PC.
Use whichever connection is supported by your hardware.
Do You Need an HDMI Cable and DisplayPort Cable?
No.
You generally only need one display connection per monitor.
For example:
PC → DisplayPort → Monitor
That's enough.
You don't need to connect HDMI as well.
If you have two monitors, you can use separate outputs from the graphics card for each display.
For example:
DisplayPort → Main gaming monitor
HDMI → Second monitor
That’s completely normal.
You generally only need one display connection per monitor
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.
What If You Use a Controller?
Controllers can connect in several ways depending on the model.
You might use:
- USB
- Bluetooth
- A dedicated wireless receiver
So moving from console to PC doesn't mean you need to give up your controller.
You can still use one for racing games, sports games, platformers and plenty of other titles.
Some gaming PCs with built-in Wi-Fi come with external antennas
What About Wi-Fi Antennas?
Some gaming PCs with built-in Wi-Fi come with external antennas.
These attach to small connectors on the back of the PC.
If your system includes them and you're using Wi-Fi, make sure they're connected.
Leaving them in the box can result in a much weaker wireless connection than expected.
They aren't decorative.
They actually matter.
Do You Need to Connect Every Port?
Absolutely not.
This is probably the most useful thing for a beginner to know.
The back of a gaming PC may have lots of connections because it needs to support many different setups.
You don't need to fill them all.
For a basic gaming setup, you may only need:
Power
Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Internet
Audio
That's enough to start gaming.
Everything else can be added when you need it.
What About All the Cables Inside the PC?
If you've bought a complete gaming PC, you don't normally need to start unplugging or moving internal cables.
The cables connecting the graphics card, motherboard, storage and other components are part of the build itself.
If you're completely new to PCs, leave those alone unless you have a reason to change something.
External setup is much simpler.
Your First Gaming PC Setup
A basic setup could look like this:
Wall socket → Gaming PC
Graphics card → Gaming monitor
USB → Keyboard
USB → Mouse
Router → Ethernet (or use Wi-Fi)
USB / audio jack → Headset
That's really all there is to it.
Once Windows is running, you can install your game launchers, download your games and start setting up the PC the way you want it.
The Simple Version
Gaming PC cables look more confusing than they actually are.
For most beginners:
Power cable — powers the PC.
HDMI or DisplayPort — sends the picture to your monitor.
USB — connects your keyboard, mouse and accessories.
Ethernet — gives you a wired internet connection.
Audio / USB — connects your headset or speakers.
You don't need to understand every port on day one.
Start with the basics.
The rest will make sense as you add more to your setup.
If you're putting together your first PC gaming setup, explore AWD-IT’s range of gaming PCs, gaming monitors and gaming peripherals.
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- How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming?
- GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
