Buying a gaming computer is often preceded by weeks and months of research and deliberation. Whether upgrading, or buying one for the first time, it’s always a huge excitement when you see the lightning fast load times and the super high quality of the graphics. However, a lot of us aren’t always that honest about what we actually need from one. We’ll often plump for oodles of RAM, when actually, we might be better off with a gaming laptop with a little less, or a customizable option that we can upgrade down the line. If you’re thinking about buying or upgrading soon, then check out this guide of what to look for when the time comes.
Firstly, Your Requirements
Be realistic about your gaming requirements. If you want to always be able to play the very latest release of games that require plenty of RAM then you’re going to need to go for something high-spec. However, if you like games with a relatively simple user interface and graphics that look good but aren’t too hard on your computer, then you could save yourself a lot of money by going for a lower spec computer. For example, online casino gamers could get away with a basic laptop in order to run even the most advanced casino games. Instead of spending time looking to upgrade your computer, you’d be better off searching up the best casino bonuses available in Canada and having fun that way. VegasSlotsOnline have compiled a list of the kinds of deals that new sign-ups can take advantage of, each individually rated on the variety of games that they have available, as well as a selection of other features. Whilst you’re saving money on a new top of the range computer, you might also be able to save a little on your casino expenditure too.
On the other hand, it might be that your gaming requirements fall somewhere in the middle. You’re not quite an Esports gamer, but you like games with fleshed out graphics, and a meaty storyline that you can really get your teeth into. This is where it gets a little more confusing, as you’ll really need to work out your priorities. The speed at which your computer can handle all of this might be one of them, whether or not you’d like a desktop of portable model might be another, but the most likely deciding factor will be your price point, which we’ll talk about next.
Price Point
Deciding on a price point is tricky for lots of reasons. Tech advances so quickly that what seemed unachievable for you to afford just a year ago might have been slashed in price since then, but on the other side of the same coin, some newer, more memory hungry games might have been released in the meantime. Getting into taking out loans, or buying on finance might work well for some people, but if you can avoid it, then it’s a good idea to. Buying an older model of a well-known brand can be a good entry into the gaming computer market that won’t set you back so much money. Also, buying second hand from either a reputable dealer, or someone you know and trust can also be a good way to get a little more bang for your buck. However, one really clever way of saving money and spreading out future costs is buying a computer that could later be upgraded as tech moves on.
Customizability
Insert Image Here >Image< Caption: Get to know your computer inside out and you could save yourself a lot of money
Buying from well-known brands, particularly those who encourage customization, could be the best way to get the best performance that you possibly can, on a budget that won’t shatter your savings entirely. In order for this method to work, you’ll need to teach yourself a little about how you can upgrade computers, there are plenty of guides on cheap easy computer upgrades that will guide you through the process of making your machine truly your own. If you’re confident in this area then this really is one of the best ways to get a top spec computer, without making enormous outlays every single year.
Portable or Not?
Finally, it used to be that gaming computers were huge rigs that practically required their own room of the house. Whilst there are still plenty of enviable rigs out there, it’s also possible to find a lot of what you need to really enjoy gaming in a much smaller package. Gaming laptops used to be, frankly, a bit of a joke. Their battery life was laughable, they were so heavy that portability was barely a feature and they cost fortunes. However, a lot has changed within the last five years or so and now companies like ASUS have made leaps and bounds in improving battery life as well as creating lighter weight machines. They still don’t pack quite the same punch as a desktop model, but they’re generally pretty affordable and will work perfectly well for the middleweight gamer.