PC Gaming: Taking Entertainment To The Next Level.
PC gaming has come a long way in recent years, evolving from its earliest days as a hobby for experienced users to a vast globally embraced form of entertainment. Nowadays the PC gaming market is dominated by a widespread selection of titles, genres and communities of gamers, all connected through a variety of multi-platform services.
Beyond its entertainment aspect, PC gaming provides users with an opportunity to experience games on a level of detail and technical ability not possible on other platforms. This, combined with cheaper price points, a wider range of titles and customisation options make it an attractive platform for gamers of all levels.
At its core, PC gaming is all about making the most of the available in-game technology and resources while pushing yourself and the boundaries of what’s possible. As such, PC gamers can choose from a wide range of hardware, such as gaming keyboards and mice, gaming headsets, webcams and more, to boost their gaming experience. Coupled with a good gaming monitor, this can take their gaming experience to a whole new level.
For gamers serious about taking their entertainment to the next level, building their own PC is the ultimate choice. While getting the most out of a pre-built rig is perfectly possible, customising it with components that fit their own specific needs, including an overclock, offers optimised gaming performance, as well as the possibility to add further, more complex features.
In this blog post we’ll look at the benefits of PC gaming, the basics of custom gaming PCs, the best gaming peripherals, and some tips on bringing your PC gaming to the next level.
The Benefits of PC Gaming
It’s no secret that the PC gaming industry is thriving. With a huge selection of titles available on the market, PC gaming provides users with a comprehensive range of options, from ‘AAA’ blockbuster titles to free-to-play, indie and retro inspired titles, as well as ‘modding’ options, which allow them to personalise and improve the games they play and create.
Furthermore, PC gamers are freed up to play their favourite titles with a wide range of customization options, from playing with different resolutions, graphics settings and installing mods, to customizing the controls and streamlining the UI to remove lag-inducing clutter.
On top of this, PC gaming provides access to a huge community of gamers. Using forums, specialized websites and social media, PC gamers can connect with their fellow gamers, connect their achievements to their profile and discuss strategies, tips, tricks and more. This has led to organised tournaments, competitions, ranked matches and various events, giving gamers the chance to hone their skills and show off their skills in front of a larger audience.
Finally, with the cost of hardware continuously going down, and with more and more titles available every day, PC gaming has become more affordable than ever.
The Basics of Building a Custom Gaming PC
For gamers looking to truly make the most of their entertainment and push their gaming to the next level, building their own custom gaming PC is the best way to go. Building a custom gaming PC is surprisingly simple, and requires a minimum amount of tools, such as a screwdriver and a pair of pliers, as well as knowledge of compatible components.
When constructing a custom gaming PC, there are a few essential elements that need to be taken into consideration. These are:
• The Motherboard: This is the backbone of the PC and connects all other components. It needs to be compatible with all other components and should have enough ports and slots to support them.
• The Processor: This is the “brain” of the PC and should be chosen to meet the current and future needs of the gamer.
• The Graphics Card: This controls the display and should be chosen to match the desired graphics quality.
• The RAM: This provides temporary storage for data and should be chosen to match the processor.
• The Storage: This provides storage for data, such as games and software, and should be chosen dependent on the user’s needs.
• The Power Supply: This is the power source for the PC and should provide enough consistent power for all the components in the system.
• Case: This is the frame for the PC and should be chosen to accommodate the other components.
Once all the components have been chosen and assembled, gamers can choose from a range of compatible software packages and drivers to increase gaming performance and better their gaming experience.
The Best Gaming Peripherals
Like all forms of entertainment, PC gaming can be enhanced with the right hardware. The most important gaming peripheral to invest in will always be the gaming monitor, as this dictates the quality of the gaming experience. However, there are many other gaming peripherals available, such as gaming keyboards and mice, gaming headsets and webcams, that can be used to give users the optimum gaming experience.
Gaming Keyboards and Mice:
Gaming keyboards and mice come in a variety of shapes and sizes, offering gamers a range of options when it comes to finding the perfect set-up. Firstly, gamers will want to choose the type of keyboard, whether it’s a wired or a wireless one and whether it’s a mechanical or a membrane key type. Mechanical keyboards are lightweight and offer a greater level of responsiveness and control, while membrane keyboards offer increased comfort and a quieter typing experience.
As for mice, there are two main categories, wired and wireless. Both offer great gaming experiences, and it really comes down to preference, but those looking for enhanced speed and accuracy may want to opt for the wired option.
Gaming Headsets:
Gaming headsets are essential for those looking to take their gaming to the next level. A decent headset gives gamers the opportunity to talk to their team-mates, as well as hear in-game cues and gain a better understanding of what is going on in the game. Different types of gaming headsets also offer different audio experiences, but, in general, all major brands offer great sound quality and a comfortable fit.
Webcams:
Webcams are a great investment for those keen on streaming their games. They make it easier to interact with viewers, as well as provide an opportunity to vary the types of content they stream.
Tips for Taking Your PC Gaming to the Next Level
For those looking to get the most out of their gaming experience, there are some simple ways to maximise the performance of their custom gaming PC.
Firstly, it’s important to keep the PC up to date with the latest drivers. It’s easy to ignore this when the system is running smoothly, but the latest drivers are essential for optimising game performance.
It is also important to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the PC. Overheating can cause slowdowns, stuttering gameplay, crashing and damage to the components, so it is important to make sure the PC is kept well ventilated and dust-free.
Finally, it’s important to keep an eye on the performance of your PC. Monitoring the resources used during gameplay can help pinpoint areas where performance could be improved, such as fps drops, too many background processes or insufficient RAM.
Supported by the right hardware and software packages, with a little knowledge and effort, PC gamers can take their gaming experience to the next level and beyond.