Gaming is one of the best forms of entertainment today. It allows people to enter a new dimension, solve all kinds of puzzles, think of and employ strategies, triumph over evil, win prizes, and, of course, have fun from start to finish. However, to run gaming software without a hitch, you must invest in gaming-specific computers that can handle a lot more than conventional computing tasks.
Why Invest In A Gaming Computer?
If you’re in for an intuitive gaming experience, you can’t go wrong with gaming computers as they’re built to deliver just that. Compared with an ordinary office or personal computer, gaming computers are faster, smoother, and more resilient.
With a gaming computer, you can make the most of your gameplay since your device is conducive to heavy programs and plugins. Thanks to your dedicated gaming PC, you can participate in competitive online gaming, connect with gamers, join discussions in the gaming community, and receive awesome prizes for winning in matches and tournaments.
Moreover, gaming computers aren’t just for games. Since they have increased speed and power, they are ideal for demanding tasks such as photo and video editing, music production, coding and programming, and computer-aided design (CAD). If you’re someone who needs to tackle those kinds of tasks, you shouldn’t hesitate to buy or build your own gaming computer.
During your hunt for a gaming computer, look for these five essential components:
- A Powerful CPU
As its name implies, the central processing unit (CPU) serves as the core of your computer’s power. When choosing a CPU or processor, higher core counts and clock speeds are preferred as they result in smoother gameplay, snappier operation, and faster task completion.
For entry-level gaming, a CPU with four cores is preferred for lighter games, but six cores and eight cores are the sweet gaming spot. Take note, however, that increasing the core count won’t drastically improve performance, unless the game or program you’re running is designed to operate better with multiple cores.
Intel and AMD are acknowledged as processor giants. For a better price-performance ratio, choose AMD over Intel as the company provides more cores and threads, faster memory support, and more cache at a relatively lower price.
- A Dedicated GPU Or Video Card
After your CPU comes the graphics processing unit (GPU) for specialized graphic rendering. Computers that run mundane tasks don’t typically need a GPU or video card, unless you require high visual quality. An integrated GPU or video card demonstrates improved graphics quality, faster frame rates, and less graphical lag, perfect for games with heavy visual effects.
Currently, the biggest GPU rivals are AMD and Nvidia. As Nvidia says, ‘You have to pay to play.’ They create top-of-the-line graphics cards offering sheer performance for a hefty price. Their best GPU yet, the RTX 3090, retails for USD$1,500.
Meanwhile, AMD allows for decent performance ideal for gamers on a budget. They’ve also introduced a new piece of technology known as ray tracing for photorealistic 3D display.
To help you decide, check out any of these top-rated graphics cards for gaming that are on the market today.
- High-Speed Memory
First things first: games don’t need too much memory, but that plays a vital role in preventing lag while playing. Ideally, 8GB of random-access memory (RAM) is adequate for most average games but may not suffice for more demanding applications. To be on the safe side, if you have a larger budget, find a computer with 16GB of RAM to minimize stuttering and lagging during gameplay.
Take a look at the RAM requirements of the most popular games today:
- Fortnite: 4GB
- VALORANT: 4GB
- Minecraft: 4GB (2GB free)
- Genshin Impact: 8GB
- Cyberpunk 2077: 12GB
- Call of Duty: Warzone: 16GB
- Marvel’s Avengers: 16GB
Getting RAM that’s higher than 16GB may be an overkill, but it could be worthwhile if you’re trying to future-proof your PC. If you’re looking to splurge money on RAM, you’re better off allocating that to the GPU.
- A Monitor With Immersive Display
Your graphics card will be for nothing if your monitor can’t accommodate immersive displays. The monitor’s panel type—be it in-plane switching (IPS), twisted nematic (TN), or vertical alignment (VA)—highly influences the display.
The best display panel types for gaming are either TN or IPS. TS display doesn’t have the best color accuracy and viewing angles, but it has a lower response time and a higher refresh rate good for games requiring such factors.
Meanwhile, IPS monitors offer accurate, crisp colors at different viewing angles but not a good refresh rate. If you can’t stand dull colors in games, stay away from IPS monitors.
- High-Quality Peripherals
After building your computer system, it’s time to finish your setup with gaming peripherals and gear. Generally, you’ll need the following gaming equipment:
- Mouse and mouse pad
- Gaming keyboard, preferably a mechanical one
- Headset with a microphone for excellent audio
As much as possible, look for peripherals with ergonomic features to make lengthy gaming sessions easier for you. For instance, an ergonomic office chair featuring breathable mesh will keep you cooler and more comfortable than a leather gaming chair when you have to sit for hours on end.
If it suits your needs and budget, you can invest in other PC gaming essentials to enhance your gaming experience.
Final Words
Building a gaming computer doesn’t involve a one-size-fits-all journey. While seasoned gamers and gaming enthusiasts recommend all kinds of computer parts and equipment for the optimal experience, your build will result from your unique gaming needs, personal preferences, and current budget.