PC Gaming Tips: Play to Win without Breaking Your Budget.
A passion for PC gaming can quickly become costly. Quality gaming hardware, repairs, and software upgrades can quickly add up and put a dent in your bank account. Fortunately, there are several things that can be done to maximize your gaming experience without breaking the bank. Here are some quick PC gaming tips to help you play to win without going bankrupt.
Invest Wisely
It’s tempting to splurge on the top-of-the-line gaming computer with the latest and greatest graphics cards and sound systems. But more often than not, those pricey systems come with a hefty price tag and may not be necessary for the games you’re playing. When budgeting for your next gaming setup, focus on the components that provide the most bang for your buck.
For most gaming setups, focus on the CPU, RAM, SSD, and video card. These are the cornerstones of a gaming system and will provide the most significant impact on your performance. That said, the other components may be worth investing in as well, depending on your gaming needs. When selecting parts, look for the best value. Balance the cost against the features and performance of each component. Doing this will help you find the right balance between performance, price, and features.
Also, forego the latest models. The newest hardware tends to be more expensive than last year’s models. Sometimes the performance gain between generations is marginal, and the higher price tag may not be worth it if you don’t require the power. Knowing what to keep and what to discard will ultimately allow you to build a high-performance system for a reasonable price.
Keep Your Components Cool
Heat is the enemy of any gaming system. Not only does heat reduce your performance, but it can also damage your hardware in the long run. To keep your gaming setup running efficiently, it’s essential to keep its internal components cool. Good airflow is essential in removing the heat from your gaming setup. Be sure to invest in quality cooling solutions like fans, water cooling systems, and heatsinks. These products will help your system stay cool so you can get the most out of it for years to come.
Most gaming rigs also tend to produce a lot of dust which can clog up your fans and cause them to work harder. So keep your system clean and dust-free. Unscrewing the side panels of your PC and using a can of compressed air to blow out the dust is usually enough. If your system is really dust-ridden, you may need to clean the fans and heatsinks of dirt and dust.
Look for Free Software Alternatives
You don’t always need to purchase premium software for gaming. There are plenty of free alternatives that offer plenty of features at no cost. Many of these applications are open-source and are constantly being developed by volunteers. They also don’t require complex installation and are often compatible with a wide array of gaming systems. Open-source software is also generally more secure than its commercial counterparts since they’re often continuously tested and updated by the software’s community.
Of course, it’s worth mentioning that there are some paid versions of open-source programs that offer additional features and support. If the cost is within your budget, it’s worth considering these paid versions as they may offer features that improve your gaming experience. In any case, the available open-source collection is vast and worth exploring before shelling out your hard-earned cash.
Optimize Your Network
Your connection to the gaming server is just as important as your system’s hardware. Even if you have the best hardware, your game will end up suffering from lag and stutter if your connection to the server is unstable. To improve your experience, take control of your network.
The most basic step is to ensure that you have a stable internet connection. Start by making sure that you have a high-speed connection with ample bandwidth capacity. Other options include transferring your data from a wireless to a wired connection or investing in a Wi-Fi router to help manage your bandwidth.
You can also look into services that prioritize gaming traffic over other internet activity. Services like Raptr, Haste, and WTFast are designed specifically to reduce ping times, so your games run more smoothly and efficiently. Investing a few extra dollars in these services can make a world of difference.
Tweak Your Settings
Adjusting your settings can make a big difference in your gaming performance and experience. Most of the time the games come with a suite of settings and options that can greatly affect the way the game is rendered and the overall performance of the game.
Start with tweaking the graphics settings. Lowering the resolution settings or disabling certain graphical options can help improve running performance. For example, decreasing shadow or texture quality can improve the FPS of your game drastically.
You can also look into changing your monitor settings to match your game’s resolution. Doing this will make sure that you get the most out of your games visuals. Lowering the response rate and switching from vertical sync (vsync) to triple buffering can make your games look a lot better and perform better at the same time.
With that said, each game will require different settings depending on the hardware and on the game itself. So experiment with different settings to find the ones that work best for your setup and the type of gaming you’re doing.
Conclusion
PC gaming is a hobby that can quickly become expensive. But with the right know-how and a few tips, you can make sure you get the most out of your gaming setup without breaking your budget. By following these simple PC gaming tips, you can make sure you’re playing to win without breaking the bank.
Image Credit: Pexels