What to Think About Before Purchasing a Gaming PC. One of the finest methods to play the newest games at high resolutions and fantastic visual quality is on a gaming PC.
When purchasing one, it might be challenging to know where to begin with so many brands and specs to take into account.
This buying guide will assist you in selecting the best gaming PC for your needs, preferences, and financial situation.
Important things to consider before buying gaming PC include:
- How Do Gaming PCs Work?
- Cost
- Hard Drive
- Graphics Card
- Processor/RAM
How Do Gaming PCs Work?
A gaming PC is, at its core, just a PC, although it differs from most other computers in several ways. A standard PC is only able to run rudimentary games at low resolutions, while it can run office-based software, browse the internet, and allow for basic photo or video editing.
It’s crucial to choose a gaming system with technology specifically designed for gaming if you want to play games at today’s level on your PC.
While a standard PC may play some simple or older games, the most recent games require a dedicated graphics card and more powerful hardware.
The most computationally difficult activities a machine can perform are among the top games of today.
Buying a Gaming PC: Specifications to consider
Some important considerations are unique from purchasing a typical PC. You’ll notice that different gaming PCs provide various features and specifications as you look at them.
A well-balanced gaming PC is crucial, from making sure you have the finest storage for it to choosing the proper specifications for it. The following are the five crucial aspects to consider when buying a new gaming PC:
- Cost
- Hard Drive
- Graphics Card
- Processor/RAM
What Should a Gaming Computer Cost?
It is feasible to get a low-cost gaming PC for $500 and a high-end gaming PC for $5,000. In the end, the amount you choose to pay depends entirely on you and your financial situation.
The more money you spend, the more probable it is that you will buy high-quality parts. As a result, it is reasonable to invest a little extra upfront to ensure that a gaming PC will last longer.
That, however, is not always feasible. Even on a tight budget, you may make a wise purchase and have a fantastic gaming PC.
What Sort of Graphics Card Ought to Be in a Gaming PC?
The graphics (video) card is the most important part of any gaming computer.
Your ability to play video games at high resolutions and with the most graphical elements activated is largely dependent on your graphics card. They rank among the most expensive parts available.
Search for:
- A video card that can play at least in 1080p, with 4K resolution as an alternative depending on price.
- Processor with the most powerful GPU you can afford.
- As much GPU RAM as you can manage.
AMD and Nvidia are the two businesses that produce graphics cards. The RTX 30-series of graphics cards from Nvidia now offer the greatest graphics cards.
The GeForce RTX 3090 Ti is the best graphics card if money is no object, but when purchasing a gaming PC, you are more likely to find cards in the RTX 3060 or 3070 range.
The RTX 30-series is often the best option if you want to play games at 4K resolutions or with graphic settings at high or ultra-high.
If you have a limited budget, AMD is still something to keep an eye on because the RX 6000 Series is a viable option.
With slightly lower graphic quality levels and 1080p resolutions, these GPUs are ideal for gaming. If you’re willing, the majority of games can run at 1080p or lower graphic settings.
The most recent Call of Duty titles and Final Fantasy XIV will scale down to 1080p, but lower-end graphics cards may cause games like Cyberpunk 2077 to stutter a little.
Most GPUs can run enduring favorites like Fortnite because of how effectively it scales.
It’s important to pay attention to the model number in both scenarios.
When purchased as a desktop system, the most recent GeForce RTX 30-series card should cost about $200 more than a 20-series GPU card, which normally costs approximately $300 less.
Prices frequently change as a result of the ongoing shortages of microchips worldwide.
Lastly, check the card’s memory to determine how much is available.
The performance of a graphics card with 12 GB of RAM will probably be better than one with 8 GB.
GPU RAM, sometimes referred to as VRAM (video random access memory), is a special kind of RAM that only supports your computer’s graphics card and not any other components of your system.
Which RAM and processor should a gaming computer have?
When choosing a gaming computer, the two possibilities are Intel and AMD. The most potent processors for gaming right now vary in power based on your budget. Similar to graphics cards, in general, a larger number indicates stronger processing capability.
A processor, commonly known as a CPU, is the equivalent of your computer’s brain. It is in charge of deciphering and carrying out the majority of what happens on your screen. How quickly it functions and completes tasks depends on its speed and number of cores.
A core is a processor inside a CPU. Most CPUs have four to eight cores.
Similar to VRAM, computer RAM works by aiding the main CPU rather than the graphics card’s processor. Your system’s ability to retrieve temporary data is improved by having more RAM, which speeds up operations.
You need 16GB of RAM, at the very least. Although the average PC can multitask very well with 8GB of memory, 16GB is pretty much the bare minimum you need for gaming because games are far more resource-intensive than web browsing or using office software.
When your system is loading new data for a fast-paced game, you can relax knowing there are no bottlenecks if you have at least 16GB of RAM.
What Kind of Hard Drive Ought to Be in a Gaming PC?
Solid State Drives (SSDs) are a common storage option for gaming PCs. Avoid the one if it only offers standard hard drive storage. The only exception is if the gaming computer comes with both SSD and hard drive storage (HDD).
One of the simplest methods to speed up your gaming PC is SSD storage. With SSD storage, your PC can read the files more quickly, lowering game loading times and generally enhancing performance.
You must make sure to purchase as much SSD storage as you can. The newest titles, like Call of Duty: Vanguard, require over 100GB of space, so you won’t be able to install numerous games at once on some gaming PCs with 256GB of SSD storage.
Instead, if you want to switch between games, you’ll need to uninstall them regularly.
More Advice on Purchasing a Gaming PC
There are a few other factors you might want to think about before deciding to purchase a gaming PC.
- What about a gaming PC? Because you never have the time to play games, do you have an unused gaming system? Do you have a computer that is capable of running the games you want to play? If so, a gaming PC might not be necessary. When a good gaming PC costs so much, resist the urge to purchase one just for fun.
- Perhaps a gaming laptop would be a better option. If you prefer to game on the road or have a small home, a gaming laptop can be a decent choice. A gaming laptop, albeit frequently more expensive than a standard gaming PC, is nonetheless quite practical.
- Keep the aesthetic in mind. Gaming computers don’t have to be drab, hardware-filled black towers. To view inside your PC, you can now add RGB lights and stylish windows. Find one that complements both your aesthetic and your personality.