With so many brands and specifications to consider, it’s hard to know where to start.
What Is a Gaming PC?
Today’s top-tier games are among the most computationally complex tasks a computer can do.
Alice Newcome-Beill / Lifewire
As you look at gaming PCs, you’ll see they all offer different specifications and features.
Ultimately, it’s down to you and how much you want to pay.
The more you spend, the more likely you’ll invest in top-quality components.
However, that’s not always practical.
What Kind of Graphics Card Should a Gaming PC Have?
The most critical component in any gaming PC is itsgraphics (video) card.
They’re also one of the most expensive components out there.
Look for:
Two companies provide graphics cards: AMD and Nvidia.
Currently, Nvidia provides the best graphics cards with theRTX 40 graphics cards.
These cards are suitable for playing games at 4K or 1080p resolutions, depending on the card you pick.
Perennial favorites such asFortnitescale well, so most GPUs will handle it.
In either case, it’s worth paying attention to the model number.
Prices frequently fluctuate due to continuing global microchip shortages.
Finally, look to see how much memory is on the card.
Unlike regular RAM, you could’t upgrade it at a later date.
Which Processor and RAM Should a Gaming PC Have?
Intel and AMD are the two options when picking out a gaming PC.
Currently, the most powerful processors for gaming vary depending on your price range.
Like with graphics cards, generally, the higher the number, the better the processing power.
Aprocessor, also called a CPU, is essentially the brain of your rig.
It is responsible for interpreting and executing almost everything that unfolds on your screen.
Its speed and cores affect how quickly it operates and completes tasks.
Cores are like processors within processors.
Most CPUs have between four and eight.
The more RAM you have, the better your system can retrieve temporary information, improving speed and performance.
When it comes to RAM, you need 16 GB of memory.
The average PC can multitask reasonably well with 8 GB of memory.
Only when dealing with the least expensive gaming PCs is 8 GB worth a look.
Not all RAM is equal.Check the speed of the RAMand the key in of RAM.
DDR5 is the latest and fastest RAM, but many systems use DDR4.
Steer clear of anything lower than DDR4.
If you feel comfortable with a screwdriver, you canupgrade the RAMlater.
What throw in of Hard Drive Should a Gaming PC Have?
Most gaming PCs usesolid-state drives(SSDs) for storage.
If you see one that offers only regular hard drive storage, skip it.
SSD storage is one of the easiest ways to make your gaming PC perform faster.
Your PC can read the files more quickly, reducing game loading times and improving performance.
It’s essential to ensure you buy as much SSD storage as possible.
Instead, you’ll need to uninstall games frequently to be able to switch around.
It can take a while to reinstall games, with the majority available digitally or requiring extensive patches.
You must also account for having significant spare space for the above patches to expand and install.
512 GB should be the minimum consideration unless you buy a PC to play just one or two games.
Fortunately,installing a new hard drivein many systems is possible.
Should I Build My Own Gaming PC?
Many people prefer to build their gaming PC, and it’s certainly possible to do so.
Building a PC is like a slightly more complicated form of LEGO with electrical components.
Things get tricky when it comes to buying computer components that work together.
There’s also the issue of rising costs.
However, be brutally honest with yourself about your tech expertise and abilities.
If you’re not sure, go ahead and buy one out of the box.
Who Should Buy a Gaming PC?
A few key types of gamers will benefit most from buying a gaming PC.
What Should I Do After I Buy a Gaming PC?
Here’s a quick overview of what else to do after buying a gaming PC.
Most of the ways tomake a PC run games betterinvolve upgrades.
