Game developers use different types of computers for different purposes throughout the course of game development. For example, during the early concept phase, they use laptops or desktop PCs with notebooks as substitutes because of their compact size and portability.
However, when it comes to releasing a finished product, most professional game developers choose desktops over laptops due to multiple reasons such as performance, reliability/durability, upgradability, etc.
But if you have to regularly take your laptop to the office, then you may check out this list of best laptops for game development curated by Geekyslug.
Let us take a look at some important considerations that will help you decide whether to opt for a desktop PC for your future games or not.
Why Choose Desktop for Game Development?
1) Performance
One of the primary reasons why most gamers are switching from using laptops to using desktop PCs is the performance factor. A typical laptop cannot contain high-end components that would be necessary for running the latest games or computer-intensive programs.
For example, you can play the latest AAA games at 1080p on high to ultra settings with around 60 fps using a desktop PC that has an HD 7870 2 GB Graphics Card and i5-3570K 3.4 GHz Processor.
On the other hand, you will not be able to achieve a similar frame rate or graphics quality even by compromising few settings if you use laptops, as they are designed for portability rather than performance.
2) Reliability/Durability
Desktop PCs are generally more reliable than laptops because they have fewer moving parts that are responsible for moving the display screen or accessing different sections of the computer’s hardware. Moreover, they are also manufactured under strict quality standards so you can expect much better longevity.
3) Upgradeability
It is easy to upgrade desktop PCs as they provide more space inside them for additional hardware components.
On the other hand, you cannot simply open the case of your laptop and make changes because you will have to take it to a service center or technician if something goes wrong with internal parts.
4) Heat management
Desktop computers are generally larger than laptops so they disperse heat quickly without any hassles. Some computers have a dedicated liquid CPU cooler which helps in keeping the system at the right temperature.
On the other hand, most laptops have substandard heat management mechanisms that cause serious performance problems during high-intensity tasks such as rendering games that require higher processing power. This is one of the biggest drawbacks of using laptops for game development.
5) Customizability
Customization is another important factor that decides the overall experience of a gamer. If you have been playing games for years now, then you can appreciate the difference between using a laptop and a desktop PC with multiple high-end components.
You can adjust brightness or contrast as well as change individual settings of a game without going through a complicated process in the case of desktops so you get more control over your gaming experience.
6) Compatibility
Desktop PCs are compatible with all types of input devices such as gaming mice and keyboards that have been specially designed keeping compatibility in mind. In case you use a laptop, then you will be forced to compromise on the quality of peripherals because laptop keyboards and trackpads cannot provide the same level of responsiveness or accuracy as external devices.
7) Cost-effectiveness
Laptops may look affordable at first glance but they lose their value very quickly because it is not possible to upgrade them easily unlike desktop PCs.
You can get high-end components in desktops without spending too much so these computers prove good value for money when compared to laptops which are expensive considering their mileage is low.
For example, GTX 760 is an entry-level desktop GPU that performs better than GTX 980M, the fastest mobile graphics card.
8) User comfort
Laptops are generally compact devices so you can carry them anywhere with ease but this is not always good for your productivity because they lack physical buttons and ports which would be available on a full-sized desktop PC.
Moreover, they tend to get heated up quickly during intense tasks such as gaming or rendering 3D models in computer-aided design (CAD) software so you cannot use them continuously for long hours.
On the other hand, desktops provide complete control over all hardware components due to spacious interiors so you will feel more at home when you move from a laptop to a desktop.
9) Customizability
Customization is another important factor that decides the overall experience of a gamer. If you have been playing games for years now, then you can appreciate the difference between using a laptop and a desktop PC with multiple high-end components.
You can adjust brightness or contrast as well as change individual settings of a game without going through a complicated process in the case of desktops so you get more control over your gaming experience.
10) Screen resolution
Laptops provide much lower screen resolution than desktops because they are manufactured in compact form factor to be carried anywhere easily. For instance, MSI GT80S 6QE Titan SLI notebook has 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) screen resolution Asus ROG G752VT has 1920 x 1080 resolution.
On the other hand, desktop screens can go up to 4K UHD so you get a more immersive experience when playing games. The difference in screen resolution might not be significant for casual gamers but it is a deal-breaker for hardcore gamers and enthusiasts because they often play games at high resolutions to achieve the maximum possible FPS (frames per second) rate without compromising on graphical details.
Conclusion
Desktop PCs offer better performance than laptops in almost all scenarios because they are able to accommodate high-end components without any issues. They are very durable and upgradeable, which means you can add more powerful hardware easily when needed.
In the case of laptops, it is recommended that you carry them with you while traveling because their batteries tend to drain out quickly but that cannot be said for desktops that do not require a power cord.
Moreover, desktops provide better compatibility with peripherals especially gaming mice and keyboards so you will enjoy a seamless experience while playing games on your desktop PC.
Because of all these reasons, it is advisable to invest in a powerful desktop computer rather than opting for regular laptops that cannot give maximum satisfaction for the development of high-quality games which require heavy processing power and optimal hardware configuration.